Even babies can experience sexual arousal. During puberty, boys’ sexual desire often increases significantly because of hormones. The general rule is that there is no such thing as too much, as long as it feels good to you.
What is masturbation?
Masturbation means you sexually arouse yourself and increase your own arousal. It does not matter whether you ejaculate or not.
At what age do boys start masturbating?
People can feel sexual arousal very early. Sexual arousal begins with the arousal reflex, which can be observed in boys even in the womb. Babies can also become sexually aroused. They rock and press their bodies against the surface they are lying on. As soon as they have enough motor skills, many start touching their penis. This is how they learn to feel their penis. And sometimes they also learn to become sexually aroused. Some may even experience orgasm-like sensations before puberty. Once they reach sexual maturity, they can ejaculate for the first time.
How much masturbation is normal?
The answer is simple: you can masturbate as often as you like. Some feel like doing it several times a day, others a few times a month, and some hardly ever. Masturbation is a very personal thing. Maybe your friends, colleagues or someone else thinks that a certain amount is 'right' or 'wrong'. But do not let that influence you. Listen to your own desire. The following results were yielded by a survey on our website.
Is it normal to masturbate when I'm in a relationship?
Yes, many people masturbate even when they are in a relationship. Perhaps they simply desire sex more than their partner does. Or they may feel like having sex when their partner is not around.
When does masturbation become a problem in a relationship?
It can become problematic if you prefer masturbating to having sex with your partner. For example, imagine that you enjoy masturbation, but do not enjoy sex with your partner. Or maybe you can only become aroused through masturbation. Is that the case for you? If so, it makes sense to learn new ways of becoming aroused. There are techniques that also work in partnered sex. We have lots of tips on this. Take a look at our chapter, "Sex tips and exercises for men and all penis owners".
Does the body need a certain amount of masturbation?
No. Your body works fine whether you never masturbate or do it several times a day. Sperm are stored in the epididymis and reabsorbed if they are not ejaculated. So you do not need to ejaculate regularly.
What are the benefits of masturbation?
Masturbation can be good for your body. Arousal and ejaculation increase blood flow and testosterone production. You can also learn to control and enjoy your sexual arousal. Masturbation is a good way to practice this.
Can it be too much for the body?
It depends on how you masturbate. Does your penis feel sore afterward? Do you get headaches after masturbating? Does masturbation leave you feeling exhausted, one-sided, and not very satisfied? If so, then you have developed a sexual arousal technique that is not good for your body. In that case, it is a good idea to learn new methods of sexual arousal. You will then be able to enjoy masturbation more. Currently, you may be squeezing and rubbing your penis while keeping the rest of your body completely still. Instead, move your body more and squeeze and rub less intensely. You may be interested in our tips on "Solo sex: Tips for men and all penis owners." We also recommend doing the exercises in our chapter, "Sex tips and exercises for men and all penis owners."
What if I never get enough?
Are you never satisfied and always want more? Perhaps you think that how often you masturbate is not normal. Read our text "Am I addicted to sex (or porn)?" to find out more.
Why should I know about masturbation?
This may be the first time you have read that masturbating as much as you do is normal, and that there are new methods you can learn. A lack of information can lead to problems. It's important to know that you have the right to accurate, up-to-date information about sex and sexuality.