Your Guide to Masturbation

Your Guide to Masturbation

Masturbation is the self-stimulation of the genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm (sexual climax). It is commonly done by touching, stroking or massaging the penis or clitoris until an orgasm is achieved. Some women also use stimulation of the vagina to masturbate or use "sex toys," such as a vibrator.

Who Masturbates?

Just about everybody. Masturbation is a very common behavior, even among people who have sexual relations with a partner. In one national study, 95% of males and 89% of females reported that they have masturbated. Masturbation is the first sexual act experienced by most males and females. In young children, masturbation is a normal part of the growing child's exploration of his or her body. Most people continue to masturbate in adulthood, and many do so throughout their lives.

Why Do People Masturbate?

In addition to feeling good, masturbation is a good way of relieving the sexual tension that can build up over time, especially for people without partners or whose partners are not willing or available for sex. Masturbation also is a safe sexual alternative for people who wish to avoid pregnancy and the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. It also is necessary when a man must give a semen sample for infertility testing or for sperm donation. When sexual dysfunction is present in an adult, masturbation may be prescribed by a sex therapist to allow a person to experience an orgasm (often in women) or to delay its arrival (often in men).

How do people masturbate?

Most guys masturbate by rubbing their penis with their hand or hands, or by rubbing the penis against something, such as a pillow. Girls masturbate by rubbing the outside of their vagina, or by inserting something (such as a vibrator) into the vagina. However, there are a lot of variations on these methods. JackinWorld contains dozens of techniques for guys to try.

Why masturbate?

First and foremost, because it feels good, and second, because ejaculating semen reduces the sexual tension that builds up in adult men and especially teenagers. However, recent studies suggest that ejaculating regularly isn't just fun, it can actually help prevent a certain kind of cancer later in life.

Is Masturbation Normal?

While it once was regarded as a perversion and a sign of a mental problem, masturbation now is regarded as a normal, healthy sexual activity that is pleasant, fulfilling, acceptable and safe. It is a good way to experience sexual pleasure and can be done throughout life. Masturbation is only considered a problem when it inhibits sexual activity with a partner, is done in public, or causes significant distress to the person. It may cause distress if it is done compulsively and/or interferes with daily life and activities.

Is masturbation healthy?

Masturbation is a healthy and normal practice, like daydreaming or napping. Even masturbating several times each day is completely harmless. You may encounter people, books, or websites that say masturbation is bad or harmful; this is just plain incorrect. As any reputable medical doctor will tell you, old myths about masturbation affecting the eyesight, causing permanent fatigue or insanity, etc., have long been disproved. In fact, recent studies suggest that ejaculating regularly isn't just fun, it can actually help prevent a certain kind of cancer later in life.

Is Masturbation Harmful?

In general, the medical community considers masturbation to be a natural and harmless expression of sexuality for both men and women. It does not cause any physical injury or harm to the body, and can be performed in moderation throughout a person's lifetime as a part of normal sexual behavior. Some cultures and religions oppose the use of masturbation or even label it as sinful. This can lead to guilt or shame about the behavior. Some experts suggest that masturbation can actually improve sexual health and relationships. By exploring your own body through masturbation, you can determine what is erotically pleasing to you and can share this with your partner. Some partners use mutual masturbation to discover techniques for a more satisfying sexual relationship and to add to their mutual intimacy.

Can I masturbate too much?

Unless you're rubbing yourself raw (try lubrication) or you're doing it so much that it's interfering with other aspects of your life, no, it is not possible to masturbate too much. Some Web sites claim that there is such a thing as "overmasturbation," but they're only doing this to scare people into buying phony pills that do nothing. Masturbation does not cause hair loss, chronic fatigue, etc. Don't let one bad Web site ruin your enjoyment of this healthy activity.

Is my penis normal?

If you're asking this question, there's probably about a 98% chance that your penis is normal. Perfectly good penises come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and teenagers' penises grow at very different rates. They are often curved somewhat, and the skin often has bumps and various colorations (which have nothing to do with STDs). Try not to obsess so much about your penis, and stop looking for things that might be wrong. It's there to create pleasure, not trouble and worry.

Can I make my penis bigger?

If you pay a plastic surgeon several thousand dollars, your penis can become fatter, but not really longer. And you know what? That's really the only method of penis enlargement that works. Everything else — particularly pills sold through magazines and the Internet — is a scam, aimed at malekind's #1 biggest insecurity. Some devices involving suction or vacuum can actually injure your penis. Instead of trying to change it, learn to accept your penis exactly the way it is. It's amazing how much incredible pleasure it can provide.

I can't reach orgasm! What can I do about this?

Some guys do have a lot of trouble reaching orgasm. Several possible reasons: (1) You may be giving up too soon. (2) You may have ejaculated too recently. Wait a day or two (or longer) and try again. (3) You may be too young still. Some guys don't develop the ability to reach orgasm and ejaculate until well into puberty. If you're an adult and have never been able to reach orgasm or ejaculate, seek an opinion from a professional such as a urologist.

When I reach orgasm, urine comes out instead of semen. What's happening?

This is actually a common experience in boys still going through the early stages of puberty. There is an internal mechanism that prevents urine from being expelled during ejaculation — but many guys are able to ejaculate before this mechanism fully matures. When this happens, a small amount of urine (rather than semen) may be expelled with orgasm. The condition will go away as you get older. If it's still happening by the time puberty is near completion, consult a physician.

My semen comes out clear, not thick and whitish. Am I sterile?

No, that's unlikely. Semen varies in color and texture, not only from person to person, but it can also vary over time. Particularly if you're still in the early stages of puberty, semen can be clear or watery, but it may still contain lots of viable sperm. Semen, whether clear or not, contains many other ingredients besides sperm cells.

What are these bumps or spots on my penis?

It's totally normal, and very common in teenagers, for there to be bumps, pimples, or different-colored spots on the penis. They might look a little gross, but there's nothing to be ashamed of and you can't really do anything about them. Bumps on the penis may be a form of acne or may occur where new hairs are starting to grow. We recommend not focusing so much on what may be wrong with your penis — most likely, everything about it is just fine. Instead, try to accept your penis as it is: an amazing part of your body that can provide you with huge amounts of pleasure for a lifetime.

What position do most guys masturbate in?

The most common is lying on the back. Other favorites are lying face down, standing up (such as in the shower), or kneeling.

I masturbate by lying on my stomach and rubbing against the bed — is that okay?
It's fine. that's just as valid as any other position.

I'd like to try to orally stimulate my own penis, but I can't quite reach it. How can I do that, and is it normal to want to try?

It's very common to want to do this. (There's an old joke that goes, "Why do dogs lick themselves? Because they can.") Actually doing it, though, is another question. Your penis has to be especially long (like over 8"), or you have to be especially limber, to succeed. Some guys are able to reach their penis by doing a backwards somersault and stopping in mid-roll. However, we must caution you to be careful when doing this. We heard from one fellow who wanted so badly to suck his own penis, he strained his back and had to be taken to the hospital — extremely embarrassing! Never perform any technique that makes you contort your body in an uncomfortable manner — you might be very sorry you did.

I'm unable to ejaculate by masturbating with my hand — I have to be rubbing against something. Should I worry about that?

No. It wouldn't hurt, though, to eventually learn to do it — that will open up options for sexual play with other people. We don't have any suggestions for this; just keep working at it (both literally and figuratively!).

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