Masturbation

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).

Mutual masturbation and consent

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. All participants must consent to any sexual activity.

Masturbation is a common choice

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.

Frequency of masturbation

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 obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD).

If you or someone you know is concerned about their frequency of masturbation, speak with a trusted adult or a health professional.

Sexual health benefits of masturbation

Masturbation is beneficial to our sexual health. 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) during mutual masturbation.
• Releases sexual tension.
• Allows people to explore their own sexuality.
• 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.
• 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

Some of the general health benefits of masturbation may include that it:

• Helps people relax.
• Aids better sleep.
• Helps the release of the brain’s opioid-like neurotransmitters (called endorphins), which cause feelings of physical and mental wellbeing.
• Reduces stress.
• Increases confidence and self-esteem.

Debunking myths about masturbation

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:

• infertility
• blindness
• mental health issues
• sexual perversion
• reduced sexual function.

Sexual content online and masturbation

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.

Children, young people and masturbation – tips for parents and carers

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 and young people masturbate for many reasons – such as curiosity, exploration and 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 Australia, 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.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Paediatrician
• Your school nurse or welfare coordinator. Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained GP on site
• Your local community health service
• Your pharmacist
• 1800 My Options – Victoria’s sexual and reproductive health information and phone line service Tel. 1800 My Options (1800 696 784)
• Sexual Health Victoria (SHV) – book an appointment online or call Melbourne CBD Clinic: (03) 9660 4700, Box Hill Clinic: (03) 9257 0100 or (free call): 1800 013 952 (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm). These services are youth friendly.
• Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. (03) 9341 6200 or 1800 032 017 or National Relay Service (for people with a hearing impairment) (03) 9341 6200
• Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Victorian AIDS Council) Tel. (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840 (toll free)
• The Centre Clinic, St Kilda Tel. (03) 9525 5866
• Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel. (03) 9416 2889 or email: equinoxadmin@thorneharbour.org
• PRONTO! Clinic for men who have sex with men. Book online or Tel. Tel. (03) 9416 2889
• Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic – book online or Tel. (03) 5338 4541
• Bendigo Community Health Services Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub - book online Tel. (03) 5406 1200 or (03) 5448 1600
• Gateway Health Sexual and Reproductive Health  – Clinic 35, Wodonga (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel. (02) 6022 8888 and Wangaratta Tel. (03) 5723 2000 or email: info@gatewayhealth.org.au
• Sunraysia Community Health Services, Mildura (Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. (03) 5022 5444 or email to: schs@schs.com.au
• Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic (no GP referral, walk-in service Tuesdays 2 pm – 6:30 pm) Tel. (03) 5226 7489
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Fitzroy: Tel. (03) 9419 3000 and Preston Tel. (03) 9403 3300 (Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm) and after-hours locum service Tel. 132 660 or Epping: Tel. (03) 8592 3920 (Monday to Thursday 9 am-5 pm, Friday 9 am-4 pm)
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line Tel.1800 806 292