What is masturbation?
Masturbation, also known as self-pleasuring, involves rubbing or touching parts of your body like the penis, clitoris, scrotum, anus or breasts for sexual pleasure or until you have an orgasm. For boys, this results in ejaculation (the release of semen from the penis). It can be done as an individual act or with a partner if you’re practicing safe sex or as foreplay before having sex.
When masturbation takes place between two people (mutual masturbation), it is important to remember that consent must still be requested and given before you start.
Is it normal?
Yes, masturbation is a normal part of growing up. Once you hit puberty, your body starts to develop and it’s very natural to want to explore the changes that are occurring.
When you masturbate you discover what feels good sexually and what you need to do to achieve an orgasm.
How often should I masturbate?
There’s no set answer to this question. Some people will masturbate a few times a day, others twice a month, some once a year and others not at all!
How often you decide to masturbate is not an issue unless it gets in the way of you having a healthy and balanced life – like missing school, not completing homework or interfering with family commitments.
Does masturbation cause infertility?
No! There are a lot of myths surrounding masturbation including that it can cause blindness, reduced sexual function, mental health issues and sexual perversion.
Are there any health benefits to masturbation?
There are a number of health benefits to masturbation. Here are a few of them:
- It reduces stress and releases sexual tension
- It helps you sleep better
- It releases endorphins (feel-good hormones) which enhance your physical and mental wellbeing
It also makes you more confident in your body image and sexuality as you learn what your sexual responses are which will help you in your future relationships.
