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Masturbation is a topic that often causes confusion and worry among teenagers because of the many myths that surround it. It's discussed in conversations, health classes, and online, but it's crucial to know the truths about what masturbation is and how it affects you as a teenager.

Understanding Masturbation

Masturbation is when someone touches their own genitals to feel good. It's a normal and natural thing to do for both boys and girls during their teenage years and afterwards. Everyone starts at different times, but it's a normal part of growing up sexually.

The Background

Over the years and across different cultures and religions, people have viewed masturbation in many different ways. In many parts of modern society, including much of the UK, it is seen as a normal part of sexual behaviour.

Physical and Psychological Effects

Despite what some myths suggest, masturbation doesn't harm your body or health if done safely. Actually, it has several benefits, like reducing stress, helping you sleep better, and relieving sexual tension without the risks linked to having sex (like getting a sexually transmitted infection or becoming pregnant). It also helps you learn about your body and what you enjoy, which is crucial for healthy sexual growth.

Impact on Teenagers

As a teen, you're experiencing a lot of changes physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Handling all these changes can be challenging, and masturbation can be a way to ease stress. It's a personal choice and how people view it can vary a lot based on family, cultural beliefs, and personal comfort.

It's normal to be curious about your body, and exploring your sexuality is a part of growing up. However, it's important that masturbation doesn't get in the way of your daily life, relationships, and responsibilities. If you feel it's taking over too much, it might be a good idea to think about it or talk to someone.

Practical Strategies and Advice

1. Know That It's Your Choice

Choosing to masturbate or not is completely up to you. Just like any other personal decision, there should be no pressure to do it, from yourself or others.

2. Balance Is Key

Keeping a healthy balance is important. If you find that masturbation is taking up a lot of your time or affecting your daily activities, setting some limits for yourself might help you manage your time better.

3. Privacy and Safety

Make sure you have privacy and feel safe when you decide to masturbate. This keeps your experience private and comfortable, avoiding any awkward situations or discomfort that might arise if others intrude on your personal time.

4. Managing Feelings of Guilt or Shame

If you feel guilty or ashamed about masturbating, think about why you feel this way. Is it because of your beliefs, health concerns, or pressures from other people? Talking to someone you trust, like a parent, older sibling, teacher, or health professional, can help clarify things and make you feel better.

5. Educate Yourself

Learning more about the human body and sexual health can help you be more comfortable with your body. There are reliable websites and books designed for teenagers that explain the changes you're going through.

Finally, while masturbation is safe if done in moderation, be aware that the pornography often linked with it can create unrealistic ideas about sex and relationships. Be careful about what you watch and the information sources you trust.

To sum up, masturbation is a normal and safe activity if done sensibly. It is a personal choice and part of healthy sexual development. Having accurate information and being comfortable with your body are key to handling this part of adolescence.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.