Masturbation

Masturbation means touching one’s own body including the genitals for sexual pleasure. It is sex for one — guaranteed fun without the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections or the complexities of a relationship with someone else! It is completely normal; in fact, young children and even babies will soothe themselves by rubbing their genitals against comfortable objects because it feels good.

During puberty and into adulthood, masturbation can be a healthy way to discover what feels good, how your body responds to touch and what an orgasm feels like. It can involve touching any part of your body but most often it includes stimulating your genitals. In general, females masturbate by rubbing their clitoris and vagina with their fingers or a pleasurable object; males usually stroke or rub their penises with their hands.

Masturbation is safe and healthy. Some people masturbate to relax or help them fall asleep because it is an effective way to release tension and stress. In fact, sexual pleasure and orgasm release endorphins in the brain that help with mental clarity and mood. It feels good and it is the safest sex you can have.

There are no rules for masturbation — with the exception of where you masturbate, you get to decide what feels best, how to do it, where to touch yourself and how often. You are not allowed to masturbate in public as it is a boundary violation of other people's rights. Instead, choose somewhere private to masturbate where you feel safe, comfortable and can relax (by yourself or with your partner).

There are lots of mixed messages out there about masturbation and what will happen if you touch yourself. Try your hand (no pun intended) at this brief "true" or "false" quiz to learn.