I help my girlfriend masturbate

Dear Pastor,

Is masturbation healthy? I am 50 years old and I am married to a much younger woman. Sometimes after we have had sex, she has to pleasure herself by masturbating.

We have been told that Christians should not masturbate, but my wife says that if she doesn't masturbate and come to orgasm a couple of times, she cannot sleep. So instead of fussing with her, I help her to masturbate. I don't feel guilty doing so.

Is it wrong for us to engage in masturbation? Please advise us.

K.L.

Dear K.L.,

I will not condemn anyone who masturbates, whether that person is a Christian or not. It is not in me to condemn anyone who engages in self-pleasure, especially when they have good reasons for doing so. Sometimes people just say things because they do not fully understand how the body works. It is a man's responsibility to satisfy his woman, and it's a woman's responsibility to satisfy her man. Sometimes the penis-to-vagina way may not work.

You may consider discussing this matter further with a sex therapist if you are not satisfied with my answer.

Pastor