Masturbation: Totally Normal Masturbation: Totally Normal Add video to playlist Create Playlist Communication Add Playlist Consent Add Playlist my family Add Playlist 8th Grade Health Add Playlist I’m transgender Add Playlist Puberty Toolkit Videos Add Playlist Cara Watch Add Playlist Maddox Add Playlist Videos to Watch Remove Playlist Child development Add Playlist Health Add Playlist Wrap MC Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Eli pregnancy Add Playlist Eli safety Add Playlist Eli Add Playlist Puberty in Males Add Playlist some playlist test Add Playlist Human Growth & Development (5th Grade) Add Playlist puberty Add Playlist Stuff to know Remove Playlist Relationship Videos Add Playlist health class 2018/2019 Add Playlist Hi Add Playlist Exploration Add Playlist biglist Add Playlist Females Add Playlist Alyssa’s Add Playlist Alyssa’s Add Playlist videos for Jack Add Playlist Girls puberty Add Playlist Health Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist 2018-19 Add Playlist Health Add Playlist Parent Ed Add Playlist To Review Add Playlist Bianca Add Playlist Ronald Add Playlist Denise Add Playlist LGBT Project Add Playlist Interesting videos Add Playlist biological male anatomy Add Playlist rights Add Playlist Communication Add Playlist CES Health Curriculum Add Playlist St. Cath sex ed Add Playlist STD Add Playlist relationships Add Playlist Hazel II Add Playlist Hazel’s guide Add Playlist Videos Add Playlist P202 Playlist Add Playlist Izzabell Add Playlist Callie Add Playlist Mason Add Playlist Peace Academy Add Playlist puberty 4/5 Add Playlist Body Image Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist 6th Grade Health Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist MOOCs Add Playlist Thomas Add Playlist Finn Add Playlist Emotions Add Playlist Yousef Add Playlist HS Health Add Playlist 7th Grade Lifeskills Add Playlist 6th Grade Health Add Playlist Test Add Playlist Test Add Playlist Boys Add Playlist Conflict resolution Add Playlist HEalth class Add Playlist 7th Add Playlist Puberty Y7 and 8 Add Playlist Ella To Be Watched Add Playlist Lucy To Be Watched Add Playlist Lucy Watched Add Playlist Ella Watched Add Playlist first attempt Add Playlist Liam’s Videos Add Playlist kyra b Add Playlist Health Class Add Playlist Emotional Changes Add Playlist Theo Add Playlist الكيمياء Add Playlist independent living Add Playlist Middle School Add Playlist Being a good listener Add Playlist Active listening Add Playlist Finding an adult to trust Add Playlist Sexting Add Playlist Teasing Add Playlist Menstruation- what to expect Add Playlist Body Odor Add Playlist Feelings Add Playlist Getting your period Add Playlist Body Image Add Playlist Masturbation: Totally Normal | Hormones Sex Youth Masturbation is the touching of one’s own body, especially the genitals, for sexual pleasure. Some people masturbate and others do not. Either way is normal. Masturbation can help you learn about your body and your sexual feelings without the complications that can come when you have sex or do sexual things with another person. Masturbation cannot result in pregnancy or cause a sexually transmitted disease (STD). If you do decide to masturbate, be sure you do it somewhere private, like the bathroom or your bedroom. FAQs Will touching myself hurt me? No, masturbation will not hurt you or cause any health problems. There are many myths about how masturbating will affect you, but actually it cannot hurt you physically, even if done frequently. It should feel good, and it can also relieve stress and be a physically safe way to express sexual feelings. Is it OK to masturbate? A lot of people believe that masturbation is a normal, healthy thing to do. While masturbation is very common, there are lots of different beliefs about it. It’s a good idea to talk with a parent or adult you trust to learn more about your family’s views about masturbation. Do girls masturbate? It’s absolutely true that many girls masturbate. In fact, most people do it at some point in their lives. That means it’s normal if you do, and it’s normal if you don’t. Related Videos Boobs and More Top Signs Girls are in Puberty All About Getting Your Period Top Signs Boys are in Puberty How the Boner Grows The Jimmy Pimple Show - All About Male Puberty OH NO B.O. (Changing Bodies) Sad and Happy: Feelings Happen Is There a Pimple Cure? Close Close Close Close Close Close Close Close Close Additional Resources Sex, Etc. Kids Health Parents Sometimes young people will masturbate or touch their genitals to feel pleasure. People of all ages and genders masturbate, even very young children, married people and seniors. Younger people—babies, toddlers and young children—may touch their genitals because it feels good and comforts them. During puberty, the body starts to produce more sex hormones, and one of the results can be a greater interest in and curiosity about sexuality. Masturbation is a very common way that people relieve sexual tension and experience sexual pleasure, such as orgasm. Generally, it is more socially acceptable for boys to masturbate than girls, but that is slowly changing as awareness of female sexuality—including the importance of knowing one’s body and experiencing pleasure—is increasing. It is important that parents and guardians provide accurate information about masturbation. Young people may hear myths about masturbation, including that it will cause them to run out of sperm, grow hair on their palms, go crazy and go blind or that masturbation will have an impact on their menstrual cycles or their ability to keep an erection. You can ensure that your children know that masturbation cannot hurt them by speaking honestly with them. Generally masturbating even a few times a day does not present a problem and actually has some health benefits. If a person finds that they are masturbating so frequently that it has an impact on their normal daily routine, they should talk with a parent or trusted adult to explore what might be underlying that habit. Masturbation, while very common, also engenders a wide range of cultural and religious beliefs, which can sometimes lead people to feel guilty or shameful. It’s a good idea to talk with your children about masturbation and your family’s beliefs, as there are a wide range of ideas about masturbation from different cultures and faith traditions. CONVERSATION STARTERS Topics like masturbation may not come up in regular conversation, but it’s important to bring them up anyway. During puberty children begin to have new sexual feelings, and some begin to masturbate. It is normal if they do and normal if they don’t. Bring up masturbation when it’s referenced in a movie, show or YouTube video Masturbation is often joked about in popular culture and discussed using euphemisms. When this happens, you can ask your child, “Do you know what they’re talking about?” This can provide an opening to find out what your child knows about masturbation and dispel any myths they may have heard. Educators Sometimes young people will masturbate or touch their genitals to feel sexual pleasure. People of all ages and genders masturbate, even very young children, married people and seniors. Younger people—babies, toddlers and young children—may touch their genitals because it feels good and comforts them. During puberty, the body starts to produce more sex hormones, and one of the results can be a greater interest in and curiosity about sexuality. Masturbation is a very common way that people relieve sexual tension and experience sexual pleasure, such as orgasm. Generally, it is more socially acceptable for boys to masturbate than girls, but that is slowly changing as awareness of female sexuality—including the importance of knowing one’s body and experiencing pleasure—is increasing. It is important that educators provide accurate information about masturbation. Young people may hear myths about masturbation, including that masturbating will cause them to run out of sperm, grow hair on their palms, go crazy and go blind or that it will have an impact on their menstrual cycles or their ability to keep an erection. Generally masturbating even a few times a day does not present a problem and actually has some health benefits. If a person finds that they are masturbating so frequently that it has an impact on their normal daily routine, they should talk with a parent or trusted adult to explore what might be underlying that habit. Masturbation, while very common, engenders a wide range of cultural and religious beliefs, which can sometimes lead people to feel guilty or shameful. You can assure students that masturbation is not physically harmful. Since there are a wide range of ideas about masturbation from different cultures and faith traditions, it’s a good idea to encourage students to talk with a parent or guardian if they have questions about their family’s values related to masturbation. Discussion Questions After watching the video with your class, process it using the following discussion questions: What myths have you heard about masturbation? Did anything in this video surprise you? Did you think the video covers things about masturbation that might surprise people? Websites Advocates for Youth Answer Planned Parenthood SIECUS YTH ASHA Books Changing You!: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality An honest and reassuring guide to puberty for elementary school children Gail Saltz It's So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies Robie H. Harris Sex Is a Funny Word A Book About Bodies, Feelings, and YOU Cory Silverberg For Goodness Sex Changing the Way We Talk to Kids About Sexuality, Values, and Health Al Vernacchio Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ "Go-To" Person About Sex Deborah Roffman