Info For Teens

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  Is masturbation unhealthy?

  The myth is that masturbation makes you blind, crazy, or stupid, damages your sex organs, or stunts your growth. This couldn't be further from the truth. Masturbation is not emotionally or physically harmful in any way. In fact, it has a number of physical and mental health benefits — here are just a few:

  • Masturbation releases stress and physical tension. Many people masturbate to relax, and it can help some people fall asleep.
  • Orgasms — whether they're from masturbation or sex with a partner — can act as a natural painkiller. Some women masturbate to relieve menstrual cramps. Research has also shown that orgasms may even prevent endometriosis, a disease of the uterine lining.
  • One study found that frequent ejaculation from masturbating may reduce a man's chances of developing prostate cancer.

  Plus, solo sex is the ultimate form of safer sex — there is no risk of pregnancy or infection.
  

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  Is it okay to masturbate if I’m in a sexual relationship with someone?

  The myth is that people in relationships don’t masturbate.  Here's an interesting fact — people who have regular sex partners actually masturbate more often than those who don't. Some people are concerned when they find out their partners masturbate — they wonder, "Why would someone masturbate when they could have sex with me? Does this mean that my partner isn't attracted to me?" But many people — both in relationships and single — masturbate when their partners are unavailable.
  
  Some people masturbate as a kind of "dress rehearsal," to learn more about what they find pleasurable. People can learn about their bodies through masturbating, and this can help them communicate better with their partners about what they enjoy sexually.
  

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  Do girls masturbate?

  The myth is that girls don’t masturbate.  Some people think that it's OK for guys to masturbate or have other kinds of sex, but that girls shouldn't. Unfortunately, our society is often more comfortable with men expressing their sexuality than with women, so many girls are taught not to masturbate — or not to admit to doing it. But the truth is, girls and women do masturbate, and there's no reason why they shouldn't. In fact, one study showed that women who masturbate have higher self-esteem than those who don't.

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  Is there such a thing as too much masturbation?

  The myth is that too much masturbation will make you blind, crazy, or stupid, damage your sex organs, or stunt your growth.  Some people masturbate every day — or even more than once a day. That's fine. So is there such a thing as "too much" masturbation? According to the experts (the American Psychiatric Association), it's only when masturbation gets in the way of daily activities — like going to school or work, or meeting friends — that it would be considered "too much." And not many people have that problem.
  
  Also, some people worry that masturbating frequently will affect a girl's ability to get pregnant or a guy's ability to produce sperm. It doesn't.

  Some people masturbate daily or more than once a day, some people masturbate once in a while, and some people never masturbate.

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  Can masturbation cause pregnancy?

  It's not possible to get pregnant from masturbating, unless semen is spilled on a woman’s vulva. Pregnancy can happen when a guy's sperm gets in the vagina or on the vulva. In order for a pregnancy to occur, sperm needs to get inside a vagina. When you masturbate alone, that can’t happen.  When a guy masturbates with a woman, he needs to be careful that his semen doesn’t touch her vulva.

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  Is it normal to masturbate before puberty?

  The myth is that it's abnormal for children to masturbate. The truth is that masturbation is a perfectly healthy activity at any age. Babies explore their bodies and learn quickly that touching their sex organs feels good. It's not at all unusual for young children to masturbate. Often parents will stop them from doing it in front of other people, but many children continue to masturbate on their own. In fact, experts recommend that parents teach children that it's normal for people to touch their sex organs for pleasure — but that it should be done in private.

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  If I masturbate with an object, can it give me a sexually transmitted infection?

  The myth is that masturbation can cause sexually transmitted infections. When it comes to using objects, it’s not possible unless more than one person is using the object. Infections can be spread if objects are shared and someone has an infection.
  
  Condoms can be used on toys that go into the vagina or anus if partners want to share them. Use a new condom for each partner — and for each part of the body. Sex toys need to be cleaned — different toys have different cleaning instructions.
  

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  Does masturbating make other kinds of sex not feel as good?

  The myth is that masturbation ruins how other kinds of sex feel. This is not true. The truth is that masturbation can help other kinds of sex feel better, not worse. It’s about discovering what kinds of touching and sensations work for you, and it's a way to learn to have orgasms. Most people who reach orgasm with a partner have also experienced an orgasm from masturbation.

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  Is it O.K. to masturbate when I have my period?

  The myth is that women should not have any kind of sex when they have their periods. The truth is that it’s safe and healthy for a girl to masturbate (or have other kinds of sex) when she has her period. Some women masturbate during menstruation to relieve menstrual cramps. 
  
  If a woman is using a tampon, she should remove it before insertive masturbation. Otherwise the tampon and its string could get pushed up too deep in the vagina for the woman to get it out herself.
  

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  Do people masturbate together?

  The myth is that couples don’t masturbate together —  they always have other kinds of sex. The truth is that many couples enjoy watching each other masturbate. Many like to masturbate themselves to orgasm after other kinds of sex. “Mutual masturbation” is also a great way to have safer sex and to prevent unwanted pregnancy. 

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  What should I do if my parents catch me masturbating?

  The myth is that parents have never masturbated and can’t imagine their kids doing it. The truth is that most parents have masturbated, and most expect their kids to. But having a parent see you masturbate is very embarrassing. Have a conversation with your parents about privacy, about coming into your room without knocking, or about masturbation. Talking with them about it might open the door for further conversations about privacy and sex in the future. Your parents might be able to answer questions and offer great advice. Plus, sharing what you both know about sexuality and sexual health can help strengthen trust among you. If you're nervous or embarrassed, it's OK to say so!