Autoeroticism
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Autoeroticism is a sexual state occurring without an external object, through stimulation of various body parts, especially mucous membranes known as 'erogenous zones.' It is considered normal in early childhood and typically gives way to heteroeroticism.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
AUTOEROTICISM (from Greek autos - self and eros - love), a sexual state in the absence of an external object, arising within one's own body through stimulation of various parts, mainly certain mucous membranes - the 'erogenous zones.' Autoeroticism in normal conditions is characteristic of early childhood. According to psychoanalytic theory, acts such as sucking the mother's breast, urination, defecation, caressing oneself, and many others have the character of autoerotic acts, sometimes accompanied by actual orgasm. The most typical manifestation of autoeroticism is masturbation. Under normal conditions, autoeroticism gives way to heteroeroticism, in which sexual sensations, emotions, and acts occur only in the presence of an external object, normally a person of the opposite sex. The term autoeroticism was proposed by Havelock Ellis. The concept of autoeroticism occupies a prominent place in Freud's psychoanalysis.
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“Autoeroticism.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/autoeroticism/