Masturbation

Information, tips and useful links!

Masturbation isn't something that you often chat about with your parents during dinner. Even with friends, masturbation can be a taboo subject. So why all the fuss? Many people are embarrassed to talk about masturbation or to even admit that they masturbate, however it’s natural and nothing to be ashamed of.

What is masturbation?

Masturbation means the stimulation of the genitals (penis, testicles, vagina, clitoris) for pleasure. You can masturbate for your own enjoyment (self masturbation) or you can masturbate with someone else by giving each other pleasure (mutual masturbation). Find out more about mutual masturbation here.

Most men touch or rub their penis and the surrounding area (testicles, anus) to get an erection and to have an orgasm (come).

Most women touch or rub their clitoris and the surrounding areas (vagina, labia, anus) to become sexually excited and to have an orgasm (come).

Everybody is different and it can take some people more – or less – time to have an orgasm.

Masturbation helps you to know your body better; and to understand what you like and don't like. The best way to find out about what works for you is to experiment by yourself– and enjoy!

Assuming you're not spending all of your time masturbating and you don't masturbate in public places, masturbation is healthy and enjoyable.

It’s important that you treat your genitals gently and keep everything that you use to masturbate (hands, sex toys, etc) clean, so as to avoid infection.

Men:

When a man orgasms, he ejaculates (sexual excitement causes muscles at the base of the base of the penis to contract hard and semen to spurt out). During a man's orgasm, about 3 to 15 contractions occur. Each lasts about a second. The first three or so are usually the most intense. Sometimes ejaculation may pump semen quite a distance. At other times, it just dribbles out. Semen may be thick and almost yellow or thin and watery.
Find out more about the penis, erections, testicles and semen.
Find out about premature ejaculation.
Find out about wet dreams.

Women:

Most women get orgasms when the clitoris is stimulated; you can use your fingers, hands, sex toys, and your imagination to become sexually excited and orgasm. Find out more about the clitoris here.
Women can have frequent and multiple orgasms – stimulating your own body can help you feel more confident.
Sex play without intercourse can help women learn how to have orgasms. Men also enjoy masturbation - even if they're shy about it in front of their partners.

Breaking the myths:

Masturbation is not dirty or dangerous. It’s a healthy and natural form of enjoyment.
Masturbation will not make you go blind or bald.
Masturbation will not drive you insane or crazy.

What’s normal?