How much is "normal"?

Most guys (and girls) masturbate. Masturbation is a normal way to enjoy your own body and the way it feels. It's a good way to learn about your body and what feels good and what doesn't. Masturbation is a normal and healthy way to feel sexually aroused, to get sexual pleasure and to release sexual feelings.

One of the most common worries is about how often it is "allowed" or "healthy" to masturbate. There is no set number of times that people should masturbate—there is no medical reason why masturbating four times a day will do you any harm. Some guys masturbate regularly, while others masturbate only rarely. Some guys masturbate several times a day, while others masturbate only once or twice a year. However often you masturbate is normal for you. In adolescence when you're going through puberty it's very common to masturbate frequently due to the hormones in your body.

Many people who are not in a relationship will masturbate to relieve sexual tension, and even in a regular relationship it is common for people to masturbate when they are feeling sexually aroused and their partner isn't around or isn't particularly interested in sex.

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Average age to start

For many young people, masturbation is their first experience of sexual activity. Nearly all guys and many girls masturbate at some time during adolescence. This usually starts in puberty, so this could be any time between ages 9 and 16. Surveys show that about 90 per cent of guys have masturbated by age 18. Some guys only masturbate occasionally, while for others it is a regular activity. An adolescent's sex drive can be very strong.

Masturbation is one way of gaining sexual pleasure and releasing sexual tension without the risks associated with early sexual intercourse.

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Okay to use different methods?

Some guys enjoy stimulation of the shaft of the penis only, while for others rubbing the head is most pleasurable. It takes time to find out what works for you, and it's okay to experiment with different methods. You might wish to experiment with different ways of rubbing or touching yourself and use other things (e.g. a vibrator). Lots of guys also enjoy inserting a finger/s or another object into the anus for sexual pleasure. The important thing is that you need to be in a safe and private space to masturbate (e.g. in your bedroom with the door locked).

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Is masturbation bad?

Masturbation is a perfectly normal sexual activity. There is evidence to show masturbating regularly lowers the risk of getting testicular cancer. In the past there were lots of myths about masturbation causing all sorts of health problems. Some cultures disapprove of masturbation, and some religious beliefs consider it a sin. The truth is that it is perfectly ok and normal to masturbate as long as you are not doing it to shock or offend somebody else. Masturbation is healthy as long as it happens in private and without feelings of guilt. It is also ok not to masturbate if you don't feel comfortable about doing it.

Masturbating one, two or 10 times a day is healthy, as long as it brings you pleasure and you still continue to eat, sleep, go to school, and see friends.

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Are certain methods of masturbation bad?

Your balls and penis may feel sore due to the friction involved when you masturbate frequently, so try using some lubricant. Sexual lubricants (such as KY Jelly or Wetstuff) are the best because they're designed for human skin. But some guys use vegetable oil, Vaseline or spit.

Masturbation is one of the safest sexual activities there is. There is no risk of infection (as long as you don't insert or use any unclean objects during masturbation). Some guys will insert something into the anus for sexual pleasure during masturbation (e.g. vibrator). This is fine as long as it is clean and doesn't have any sharp edges which could cause damage to the delicate skin of the anus.

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Masturbation myths

If you masturbate you will not:

More information

This fact sheet was developed for Somazone by Robyn Drysdale, Manager of Education Research and Development, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT. Copyright © 2004 Australian Drug Foundation.