2. Explore your body. Run your hands along all parts of your body, lingering along areas that are more responsive to touch than others. Many women have very sensitive nipples and can orgasm from nipple stimulation alone. Look at your genitals in a mirror if that is “your thing” -- if you feel shy about that -- that’s okay too. Caress the different parts to see what feels extra good to you. You'll know it when you find it. Touch your inner and outer labia, your clitoris, your vagina and your perineum.

3. Touch. Using one or two fingers, rhythmically stroke the different parts of your vulva, paying particular attention to your clitoris and labia. Use your fingers to pull your vulva apart and gently open your vagina. Experiment with different types of pressure, speed and motion. Try placing a finger on either side of the clitoris and stroking up and down, or placing two fingers on the clitoral hood and rubbing in a circular motion. Place a finger in your vagina and experiment from there.

4. Experiment. Try different types of touch: stroke, knead, pinch, or lightly pull your genitals and nipples. Try using one or several fingers, or the palm of your hand. You'll find out what you prefer.

6. Build up. Learn to hold onto sexual excitement by building up and then reducing or temporarily stopping the stimulation. Pay attention to how your body is responding. It will tell you the particular stroke that feels best and when to pick up or slow down the tempo.

7. Breathing. Breathing is important to excitement. Breathe deeply rather than hold your breath. This helps release the sexual energy, rather than fight it. Rock your pelvis as you would during intercourse. Rhythmically clench and release your PC muscle (inserting a vibrator can help too).

8. Going over the edge. If your hand gets tired, give yourself a rest, switch hands, or try a vibrator. If you're on the brink of orgasm, but can't quite get there, try altering your breathing, or focusing on a really hot fantasy. Give yourself extra stimulation: caress your nipples, or try also thrusting your other fingers or a dildo in and out of your vagina. (But, don't overdo it either).

9. Ride the wave and enjoy. As you begin to orgasm, continue the stimulation lightly through the orgasm, or stop if it feels like it's too intense. Lighten up on the stimulation during the first extremely sensitive moments but keep it going to enjoy those little pleasurable aftershocks. Your first orgasm may feel like a blip or a blast, but the more you practice, the more variety you will experience.

10. Don't worry. If you don't orgasm on your first try. Keep practicing, or try some of the variations below. Practice the breathing technique making sure you are breathing from your belly, but don't pass out.