What is masturbation?

Sexuality   ›   Masturbation  ›   What is masturbation?

If you're curious about what masturbation is, you've come to the right place. From myths to facts, we’ll explain (almost) everything.

Masturbation is a way to discover and explore the erogenous zones of your body and your genitals. The purpose is to feel sexual pleasure and sometimes to have an orgasm.

 

It’s your choice!

Masturbation is a personal choice. You’re free to masturbate or not, to do it alone or with a partner. The important thing is to respect your own pace, feelings, and values. If you feel like doing it, go ahead. If not, it’s fine to wait or even never to do it at all!

 

The right time

Needless to say, masturbation is something you do in private, alone or with your partner. So it’s important to choose the right time and place so you won’t be disturbed.

 

Is it bad for my health?

No! Masturbation has no negative affect on your health. In fact, it can even have positive effects. It can help you relax or ease sexual tension. And it’s pointless to compare yourself with other people since there’s no “normal frequency.” You can do it or not – it’s your choice. In general, people masturbate most often during adolescence, sometimes more than once a day. However, if masturbation starts to take up too much space in your life and you think about it all the time, you should discuss it with a counsellor or someone else you trust.

 

I feel guilty about masturbating. Why?

Is it wrong to masturbate? That depends on each person’s values and beliefs. Masturbation used to be considered bad and dangerous, and those ideas still exist today. That’s why people sometimes feel guilty about masturbating, without really knowing why.

 

Today we know that those are false beliefs and that masturbation is normal and healthy. In adolescence, you’re living through major hormonal changes that create desires and make you want to explore your body. And that’s when people generally masturbate the most.

 

You might also feel guilty because you’re in a relationship or you’re sexually active. But it’s normal to still want to masturbate, since that creates a different kind of pleasure than intercourse.

 

I don’t enjoy masturbate. Why not?

When it comes to sexuality, not everyone likes the same things. Some enjoy penetration, in other words, putting one or more fingers into their vagina. Others don’t like it much. Luckily, there are many ways to have pleasure! The clitoris is also very sensitive and can also give you pleasure. In fact, it’s made for that! Remember that sensations change during your lifetime. You may not enjoy penetration now, but you might gradually come to like it… or not. And that’s fine!

Myth or Reality?

Girls masturbate as much as guys

Girls may talk about it less, but just like guys, they’re discovering their bodies and sexual pleasure. So female masturbation does exist and it’s normal! Just like guys, girls have the possibility of exploring their bodies if they want to.

Masturbation is only done alone

Although it’s often discovered alone, masturbation can also be done with a partner, which is sometimes called “mutual masturbation.” It’s often done to increase arousal, explore the other person’s body, or give the partner an orgasm. Mutual masturbation is great since, if the partners only use their hands, they run no risk of catching a BBSTI or getting pregnant.

When you’re in a couple, you don’t want to masturbate

Even if you’re part of a couple or have an active sex life, you can feel like masturbating. It creates a different kind of pleasure than intercourse. Even if you’re sexually satisfied in your relationship, you might want to masturbate because you like it and it feels good. It’s you time and you don’t need to feel guilty about doing