Masturbation - Myths and Facts (Info For Teens)

Masturbation. Most people do it — yet so many people worry about doing it! That's because there are a lot of myths out there that masturbation is dirty, dangerous, or something to be embarrassed about doing.
But the truth is, people of all ages masturbate. Guys masturbate, and girls do it, too. Single people and people in relationships do it. Some people masturbate a few times a day, some do it a few times a year, and some don’t do it at all. Here are some common myths and facts about masturbation.

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

 

 

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.  

 

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

  

 Do girls masturbating ?

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.