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What is masturbation? Masturbation (or self-pleasuring), is touching and rubbing parts of the body (such as the penis, scrotum, clitoris, vulva, breasts and anus) for sexual pleasure. Masturbation is a choice that individuals can make about their own bodies (solo masturbation), but it can also happen between two or more people (mutual masturbation).

If mutual masturbation occurs with other people, everyone needs to give their consent.

Consent is given when someone agrees to a sexual activity without feeling pressured, forced, threatened, or coerced.

Masturbation can be a healthy way for people to explore their bodies – to find out what feels good sexually, and how to achieve an orgasm. It is common behaviour for all ages – from childhood, through the teen years and adulthood, by anyone of any gender. Younger children may touch their own genitals because it feels enjoyable for them.

If you are going through puberty may notice an increased interest in sexual feelings and masturbation. Sexual pleasure through masturbation can be a part of a person’s sexual experience, but some people will choose not to masturbate.

How frequently people masturbate is different for everyone

Some people might masturbate several times a day, a week or a month, or not at all.

How often someone masturbates is not a problem unless the time spent masturbating interferes with other aspects of their life – such as school, work or social activities. For some, it may be linked to an underlying health condition such as If you or someone you know is concerned about their frequency of masturbation, speak with a trusted adult or a health professional.

Masturbation is beneficial to our sexual health

Masturbation: during mutual masturbation.

Releases sexual tension

Is available to everyone – regardless of being in a relationship or having a partner. Provides people with the chance to experience sexual pleasure if they are not having sex with their partner or abstaining from sex. Allows people to become familiar with their own sexual responses, which can help them communicate their wants and needs to their partner or partners.

Some of the general health benefits of masturbation may include that it: Helps people relax. Helps the release of the brain’s opioid-like neurotransmitters (called endorphins), which cause feelings of physical and mental Even though masturbation is a common sexual behaviour, some people may feel ashamed or embarrassed about it.

This may be due to outdated beliefs

One of the strongest myths is that masturbation is only for men or people with a penis.

This is untrue

Anyone with any type of body can choose to masturbate. Masturbation has been incorrectly blamed for a range of health problems, including: reduced sexual function. Some people may look at sexual content online to aid them in their masturbation.

It might help bring on the sexual or pleasurable feelings that people associate with masturbation.

Masturbation will be different for different people

Looking at sexual content online is not a requirement for masturbation.

People of all ages masturbate for different reasons

For your some children and young people, masturbation may help them relax or they may be curious and want to explore their body. In most instances, it just makes them feel good. Even at a young age, children can pick up on the attitudes of trusted adults.

If they receive any negative responses to masturbation, they may become anxious and ashamed, and these thoughts and feelings can carry over into adulthood. Young people can be reassured that interest in sex and their own bodies is not something they need to feel ashamed about. Tips for parents and carers include:

  • Try to understand that children
  • young people masturbate for many reasons – such as curiosity
  • exploration sensory pleasure

Be reassured that masturbation in children is very common. Try to focus on the setting, rather than the activity itself. Explain that masturbation has to do with private body parts, so it is something that happens in private.

Understand children may turn to masturbation in times of stress.

If a child’s masturbation is affecting other activities, find out what is making them anxious or upset. Recognise adolescence is the time when young people’s bodies are developing, and they are experimenting sexually.

(In United States, over 90% of young people aged 14 to 18 report that they masturbate.) If you’re concerned about your child’s behaviour, you should talk with your doctor or paediatrician.

Your school nurse or welfare coordinator

Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained GP on site – Michigan’s sexual and reproductive health information and phone line service Tel. 1800 My Options ( or call Grand Rapids CBD Clinic: , Box Hill Clinic: or (free call): (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm).

These services are youth friendly

(Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. , St Kilda Tel. (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel. or email: PRONTO! Clinic for men who have sex with men. Book online or Tel. – book online or Tel. , Wodonga (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel.

Wangaratta Tel. or email: Mildura (Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. or email to: (no GP referral, walk-in service Tuesdays 2 pm – 6:30 pm) Tel. Fitzroy: Tel. and Preston Tel. (Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm) and after-hours locum service Tel.

Epping: Tel. Mutual masturbation and consent Masturbation is a common choice Frequency of masturbation obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD) Sexual health benefits of masturbation Is a form of safer sex – there is no risk of pregnancy or and a reduced risk of getting a sexually transmissible infection (STI) Allows people to explore their own sexuality Can help with sexual dysfunction – for example, people can learn how to reach orgasm or learn control if they experience premature ejaculation General health benefits of masturbation Aids better sleep wellbeing Reduces stress Increases confidence and self-esteem Debunking myths about masturbation infertility blindness mental health issues sexual perversion Sexual content online and masturbation Children, young people and masturbation – tips for parents and carers Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Paediatrician Your local community health service Your pharmacist 1800 My Options 1800 696 784 ) Sexual Health Michigan (SHV) – book an appointment online (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 1800 013 952 Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre (616) 555-0200 or 1800 032 017 or National Relay Service (for people with a hearing impairment) (616) 555-0200 Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Michigann AIDS Council) (616) 555-0200 or 1800 134 840 (toll free) The Centre Clinic (616) 555-0200 Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre (616) 555-0200 equinoxadmin@thorneharbour.org (616) 555-0200 Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Bendigo Community Health Services Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub book online Tel. (616) 555-0200 or (616) 555-0200 Gateway Health Sexual and Reproductive Health – Clinic 35 (616) 555-0100 (616) 555-0200 info@gatewayhealth.org.au Sunraysia Community Health Services, (616) 555-0200 schs@schs.com.au Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Michigann Aboriginal Health Service (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 132 660 (616) 555-0200 (Monday to Thursday 9 am-5 pm, Friday 9 am-4 pm) Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292.

Key Points

  • common behaviour for all ages – from childhood, through the teen years and adulthood, by anyone of any gender
  • Younger children may touch their own genitals because it feels enjoyable for them
  • Be reassured that masturbation in children is very common