Masturbation is a great way to get to know your body. And get this, It is totally healthy and normal. And has great health benefits. Though, there are tons of masturbation myths meant to scare you into thinking it is wrong or bad. The truth is, it is perfectly safe.

What you need to know

Masturbation, or self-pleasuring, is touching and rubbing parts of your body for sexual pleasure, such as the penis, clitoris, vulva and breasts.

It is a normal and healthy way for people to explore their own bodies and find out what feels good, where and how they like to be touched and how to achieve an orgasm.

Some people think that only people without partners masturbate, but most people with regular partners still masturbate throughout their adult life.

Self pleasuring can also happen between two people (mutual masturbation), which can be a very intimate experience.

Masturbation is neither wrong, nor is it harmful. It’s a natural and safe way to explore your body, feel pleasure, and release built-up sexual tension. Despite the myths, there are actually no harmful side effects to this sexual act.

Masturbation is a healthy sexual activity. It has many benefits for your physical and mental health. Research and anecdotal reports suggest that sexual stimulation, including stimulation through self pleasure, may help you achieve the following:

• Relieve built-up stress
• Release mood-elevating hormones
• Sleep better
• Help improve self esteem
• Help you relax better
• Feel pleasure
• Relieve cramps
• Help soothe headaches
• Release sexual tension
• Have better sex
• Keep your pelvic floor strong
• Get better acquainted with your body
• Better understand your wants and needs.

Weird masturbation myths

There are several myths about masturbation. Even though many of these have been debunked several times. They seem to resurface time and time again.

Most claims about masturbation are not backed up by science. There is often no scientific evidence to show that it causes any of the adverse effects suggested. Therefore, masturbation will not cause:

• blindness
• hairy palms
• impotence later in life
• erectile dysfunction
• penis shrinkage
• penis curvature
• low sperm count
• infertility
• mental illness
• physical weakness.

Some couples worry that their relationship must be unsatisfying if either one of them masturbates; this, too, is a myth. Most men and women continue to masturbate either alone or together when they are in a relationship or married, and many find it an enjoyable part of their relationship. One study found that women who masturbated had happier marriages compared to those who did not masturbate.

Masturbation is normal, and can be a healthy way to learn, about your body. In fact, it’s the safest way to have sexual pleasure there is — there’s no risk of pregnancy or STDs.