Ask Dan and Jennifer » puberty

Q&A: Is It Normal To Masturbate? (Video)

Dan and Jennifer — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:00:02 +0000

Questions about masturbation, especially for boys that are just beginning to go through puberty, are common. Is masturbation normal? Is masturbation wrong, or can it cause blindness or hairy palms? What is the liquid that comes out of the penis at the end of masturbation? Here’s what you want to know about masturbation, and more.

Question: Is it normal for a 14 year old boy to masturbate, and at the end of masturbation a transparent liquid comes out? What is it? Is it sperm?

–YouTube Viewer

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Safest Safe Sex There Is

Masturbation, for both men and women, is perfectly normal and actually a healthy part of going through puberty and a component of a healthy sex life when you get older. Not long ago, boys were taught to believe that masturbation was wrong and that it would be harmful to them if they did masturbate. Some old wives’ tales suggested that boys could grow hair on their palms or even go blind if they masturbated, and everyone would know they had been masturbating. They were taught that masturbation was something that was shameful. Masturbation, however, is actually the safest sex there is. Masturbating is safer than having sex with a condom and even safer than having sex with a condom and with a partner who is taking birth control. You can’t get pregnant from masturbation and you can’t contract any sexually transmitted diseases. It’s the best way to pleasure yourself without worrying about the consequences of sex with someone else.

Masturbation And Ejaculation

When a man masturbates and reaches climax, a fluid comes out of the end of the penis called semen. Semen is a fluid that contains millions of sperm and when it comes into contact with a woman’s vagina, can get her pregnant. Semen can range in color and consistency based on your age, your health and your diet. A younger boy may have clear, thin semen, while an older man may have thicker, more white colored semen. A poor diet filled with fatty foods can change the color and texture of your semen, while a diet full of fiber, fruits and vegetables will keep your semen and sperm healthy. Proper exercise can also help keep your semen healthy – if you suspect there’s something up with the color or texture of your semen, make an appointment to see your medical doctor.

Considerations To Take Before Masturbating

While masturbation is extremely safe, there are some considerations you want to take before masturbating just to make sure everything goes smoothly. Wash your hands before and after masturbating to keep things clean, and use a good, water or silicone based lubricant for the least amount of friction. Find a quiet place to masturbate alone where you won’t be disturbed, and lock the door if you need to. Bring in a magazine or a book that arouses you. Many sex toys for men are available to aid with masturbation and can increase pleasure and the power of climax. Male masturbators, including masturbation sleeves, can be used in conjunction with lube to make masturbation even better. Masturbation is healthy for both men and women, and can be a great way to relieve sexual frustration, especially during puberty.

Will Daily Masturbation Affect Puberty? (Video)

Dan and Jennifer — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:51:42 +0000

Many teenagers have this very question – is masturbation wrong? Does it affect puberty? Will masturbating daily – or masturbating at all – cause health problems? What is the truth when it comes to masturbation?

Dear Dan and Jennifer,

Is daily masturbation going to halt, alter or harm my progress through puberty? If so, how drastic is it and how long would I have had to been masturbating daily for it to have an effect?

–Anonymous

Click here to view the embedded video.

Old Wives Tales

You might have heard that masturbation can make you go blind. Or it might give you hairy palms, or even make you need glasses. There’s not one bit of truth to any of these claims – in fact, there are no medical problems that are caused by masturbation, even daily masturbation. In fact, masturbation is healthy for both men and women of all ages, especially those going through puberty. The extra hormones produced by your body during puberty cause you to want to satisfy your new sexual needs and urges, and it’s completely natural to do so. Masturbation is a healthy and not to mention safe way to satisfy those desires without worrying about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Unfortunately, sex ed in this country is at a low – many adults are afraid to talk to their children about sex and masturbation, so children and teenagers growing up thinking masturbation is wrong and they’re “dirty” for doing it. Grow up people! Masturbation is healthy, safe and a natural way to satisfy those new desires that come with puberty.

How Much Is Too Much?

That said, it is possible that a person – teenager, adult, man or woman – can masturbate too much. Medically speaking, not so much. But what about when it starts interfering with your daily life? What happens if you’re making time in your day for masturbation (instead of just letting it happen naturally and satisfying the desire when it comes along and is convenient) or you’re masturbating 3 or 4 times a day? That’s when it starts crossing the line – and it’s not just masturbation. It can be anything, including television, books, video games or chat rooms. If you find that your daily life is being interrupted by these things – masturbation included – it might be a borderline obsession or addiction that you need to keep in check. Don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor or counselor if you find that you’re masturbating too much – with therapy, they can help you to find other outlets for your stress and extra sexual desires so you don’t feel the need to masturbate so much that it interferes with your daily life.

All in all, masturbation has no bearing on personal growth, puberty or your body at all medically and can, in fact, be healthy for you. We live in the era of the Internet, so don’t be afraid to Google masturbation and find out some good facts for yourself. Look them up on credible websites and keep an eye out for anything that sounds fishy – such as masturbation causing you to have leprosy. Even though the sex ed in this country is lacking, that doesn’t mean you can’t take the initiative to educate yourself! Be safe, smart and informed!

The Long And Short Of Penis Size (Video)

Dan and Jennifer — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:06:09 +0000

There’s no doubt about it – men are absolutely obsessed with their penises. It’s a fact of life! Men who feel they have small penises wish they had bigger ones and men with large penises. . .well, they wish they had bigger ones too. You’ve probably read some of our articles on penis size, but we’re going to go at this from a different angle – when does the penis start growing and when does it stop?

Dear Dan and Jennifer,

I’d like to know when I can expect my penis to start growing and when it’s going to stop. Also, how big is a normal penis? Thanks for your help!

-Jonathan, MO

Click here to view the embedded video.

When Does The Penis Start Growing?

Penis growth starts when a boy hits puberty. When you first start to grow pubic hair, your penis will start to grow as well. The testes will drop down further into the scrotum and you’ll notice the penis becoming longer when it is erect as well as when it is not. Of course, as you go through puberty, you’ll notice more changes than just size – it may change slightly in color or the texture of the skin. The rest of your body will change as well, and you’ll notice your voice deepen and your overall body will go through several growth spurts. It can be pretty disorienting at first, especially considering that as your penis grows, you’ll begin to have sexual desires that you might not have had before.

When Does The Penis Stop Growing?

During puberty, you can expect your penis to continue to grow, just like the rest of your body. As you get taller, your penis will grow as well. It might not be changes that you notice on a daily basis, but the changes are small and they are there. The penis typically stops growing when you stop growing, or rather as you stop gaining height. When you stop growing taller, generally in the early twenty’s, your penis will stop growing as well. It will have reached its maximum length and girth and generally will stay the same throughout your adult life.

How Large Is A Normal Penis?

That’s a question that many men ask, especially in conjunction with questions about penis growth, but it’s a difficult question to answer. What is “normal” isn’t necessarily classified – meaning, we are all different and we all have different anatomies. No two penises will ever be exactly the same! Generally speaking, the typical penis ranges between 2-3 inches long when it is flax and between 5-6 inches when it is erect. Many men, however, fall outside these categories and that doesn’t necessarily mean there is anything wrong with you! Whether you are extremely well endowed, or have a smaller penis, your anatomy is yours. That’s all there is to it!

Learning to be comfortable with your body and in your own skin takes time. Even adult men aren’t comfortable with their penis size, whether they’re large or small and still more younger men who are going through puberty are insecure about themselves and their changing bodies. Let nature take it’s course and learn to be comfortable with not only who you are, but how your body looks and feels as well. Confidence in yourself is worth much, much more than a penis of any size!