An older or alternative term for autoeroticism; sexual self-stimulation or satisfaction obtained from one's own body.
From 'auto-' (self) and 'erotism' (from Greek 'eros,' desire). This is essentially a variant form of autoeroticism that was sometimes preferred in earlier psychological texts.
You'll mostly see 'autoerotism' in older psychology books, where it appears alongside 'autoeroticism'—both words are saying exactly the same thing, just showing how language naturally develops multiple terms for the same idea.
Variant of autoeroticism carrying the same 19th-century gendered medical pathologization, with female sexuality disproportionately pathologized.
Use clinically; apply equal scrutiny and non-judgment across all genders.
Sex researchers and therapists (many women) have normalized this as part of healthy sexuality, countering medical misogyny.
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