Is masturbation normal?

Masturbation is a normal, safe practice that many teenagers explore as part of their sexual development and personal health.

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  • 5 minute read
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Masturbation is often spoken about in hushed tones, but it's actually a normal part of life. Many people will explore it, especially during their teenage years. Understanding what it involves and how it impacts you can help you become more at ease with your own body and feelings.

What Is Masturbation?

Masturbation is when people touch their own genitals to feel good and generally to have an orgasm. It's completely natural and lots of people do it, young and old alike. It becomes more common among teenagers, who experience stronger sexual feelings as they go through puberty.

Why Do People Masturbate?

One main reason people masturbate is because it feels nice. When you have an orgasm, your brain releases chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, making you feel happy and relaxed. Masturbation is also a safe form of sexual exploration. It carries no risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy. What's more, it's a great method to understand what you enjoy, which can improve how you see and feel about your own body and even boost your self-confidence.

It's also a safe alternative to other sexual activities, keeping you free from STIs and unplanned pregnancies. Plus, it can help shake off stress and support better sleep, both especially useful during the sometimes difficult teenage years.

Is Masturbation Harmful?

Despite some myths, masturbation isn't bad for your physical health. Most health experts recognise it as a normal part of sexual development. But it's important to enjoy it in moderation. Depending too much on it for emotional support or indulging in it excessively can disrupt daily life and responsibilities. If it takes up too much of your time or gets in the way of your other interests, it might be a good idea to talk to someone.

Real-Life Impact on Teens

Masturbation can affect you in different ways. On a positive note, it enables you to learn what pleases you sexually, making any future sexual relationships, when the time comes, feel better and less daunting. It's a chance to discover your own sexual likes and how your body works, which is important as you grow into adulthood.

However, because sex education isn't thorough in all places, some teens might feel guilty or embarrassed about masturbating. This often comes from ongoing negative attitudes in society or false ideas about it being unhealthy or wrong.

Practical Strategies for Dealing with Feelings about Masturbation

If you're unsure or worried about masturbation, here are some tips:

Is masturbation normal?

  • Educate Yourself: Learn about the biological and emotional sides of sexuality. Trusted websites run by reputable organisations can give you correct information.
  • Communication: If you feel comfortable, talk about your feelings with a reliable adult, like a parent, doctor, or school counsellor who can advise you without judging.
  • Understand Your Feelings: Think about why you might feel guilty or ashamed about masturbation. Maybe consider jotting your thoughts down to sort through them.
  • Set Boundaries: If you're concerned about how much you masturbate, try to set some personal limits, similar to how you'd manage how much you're on social media or playing video games.
  • Stay Busy: Get into hobbies, sports, or other fun activities to divert your focus away from masturbating by putting your energy into other rewarding outlets.

Remember, exploring your sexuality is a natural part of growing up, and you shouldn't feel bad about it. Masturbation is just one part of that which many people will experience. It doesn't define your value or worth as a person.

Conclusion

Masturbation is a widespread, natural, and safe way to understand your body, know what you like sexually, and enjoy alone time. The guilt and confusion sometimes associated with it are mostly due to mistaken beliefs and social pressures. It's crucial to move past these to form a healthy view of your sexual well-being.

Whether or not you choose to masturbate is entirely up to you; either way, it's completely normal. Being well-informed can help you make the best choices for your body and health. Remember, if you have concerns or questions, it's always smart to speak to a healthcare professional or a dependable adult.

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.