Streaming is a discreet masturbation technique involving a shower head that has gained popularity among 20 million women, according to sex education site OMGYES. The practice, which typically occurs in the bathroom, sees 62% of women reporting sexual pleasure from directing streaming water onto their vulva.
What Is Streaming?
Streaming involves using water pressure on the clitoris to masturbate while showering or bathing. Gigi, an expert from sextoysuk, describes the shower as a 'Jack of all trades' for self-pleasure. 'It's a discreet way to masturbate because showers are private by nature, it's time you get for yourself,' Gigi told Metro. 'You have an opportunity to connect with your body and have the relaxation you need to have an orgasm.'
Techniques for Streaming
The privacy of the bathroom minimizes the risk of interruption, and various techniques allow for a personalized experience. 'Showers can be very sensual, so start by warming up the rest of your body with the shower head, then circle the clitoris, then place the water on your vulva,' Gigi suggests. 'Variations in water pressure can add different sensations, just as vibrators come with different vibration patterns and intensity levels, so you can turn the water down or up.'
Some shower heads offer settings like rainforest or a straight stream, which can change the sensation. The closer the shower head is to the vulva, the more intense the sensation. On OMGYES, women shared techniques such as 'the run down,' where water pressure is placed on the cushion of the clitoral hood, avoiding direct clitoral stimulation—ideal for sensitive individuals. Others apply water directly onto the clitoris or use indirect splashes by focusing the shower to the side.
Who Practices Streaming?
Gigi notes that many women use the shower head to masturbate, often as their first method of self-pleasure due to the bathroom's privacy when living with parents. 'People still do it in adulthood but less so because they then have their own space and can buy sex toys,' she explains. 'But when shower heads have been their primary form of masturbation they might be quite habituated to that so it's a more reliable way to orgasm.'
Safety Considerations
Streaming is only safe for external clitoral stimulation. 'You don't want to be shooting water up your vagina because that's how you wipe out the good vaginal flora and you'll end up with a UTI, yeast infection, or bacterial vaginosis,' Gigi warns. Temperature play is another factor: switching from warm to cold water can add a kink element, but scalding hot water should be avoided. 'You don't want to use scalding hot water on your vulva because it's very sensitive tissue,' she adds. 'Normal warm water is fine, you can use cold if you like, it won't hurt you but it could be painful for some.'
Gigi also cautions against using shared spaces like pools or hot tubs for streaming, as it is unhygienic and disrespectful. 'But by all means, use your own shower to your heart's content,' she says.
