Masturbation
In this section you will learn about masturbation
![A close up of a person touching their vulva while wearing underpants. There is a flame with a smiley face in it and stars around the image showing that this feels good.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-person-with-a-vulva-over-underwear-scaled.jpg)
Learning about masturbation is a normal and important part of growing up.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/13-2.jpg)
This page is for people aged 13 years and older.
If you are younger than 13 year old you can talk to a trusted adult about masturbation.
![An illustration of a person with a vulva and a person with a penis with the following body parts labelled: Breasts, nipples, clitoris, vulva and vagina, penis.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Images-of-people-with-no-clothes-on-content-warning-image-private-body-parts-no-underwear.jpg)
There are drawings of
- private body parts
- people with no clothes on
These drawings are there to help you understand.
![Content warning image comparing a photograph of a hand and a drawing of a hand](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Content-warning-version-2.jpg)
There are no photos of real people’s private body parts on our website.
![A drawing of a laptop with the Healthy Respect website page about private body parts on the screen. A big green tick is in front of the laptop.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Learning-about-private-body-parts-is-okay.jpg)
It is ok to see these drawings when learning about masturbation.
![Image of a person talking to a trusted professional](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Talking-to-trusted-adults-teacher-and-support-worker.jpg)
If you have any questions or upset about anything you read, it is good to speak to an adult you trust.
![Image of a green arrow pointing down.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Green-arrow.jpg)
Move down the page to find out more about masturbation.
If not you can learn about bodies or what is sex.
Masturbation: what is it?
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/touching-body-to-feel-good.jpg)
Masturbation is when a person touches their body in a way that feels good and gives them sexual pleasure.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-under-clothes-underwear-arousal-and-pleasure.jpg)
People masturbate in different ways. Most people touch their private body parts.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-with-arrows-1.jpg)
Some people like stroking, rubbing or squeezing their skin or private body parts with their fingers and hands.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/private-body-parts-are-sensitive-1.jpg)
Our private body parts can be very sensitive.
Be careful not to hurt your body by touching or squeezing too hard, or scratching your skin.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/washing-hands-before-and-after-touching-private-parts.jpg)
It is important to wash your hands before and after you touch your private body parts.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-in-a-private-place-bedroom-and-bathroom.jpg)
Masturbating is a private thing and must be done in a private place.
A private place for masturbating could be your bedroom or bathroom in your house.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-in-a-public-place-female-classroom.jpg)
It is not okay to masturbate in a public place.
A public place is anywhere that is not a bathroom or your bedroom.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-9.jpg)
Some examples of public places are a school, a park, a cinema, or a bus.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-in-a-public-place-swimming-pool-male.jpg)
Masturbating in a public place where someone might see you can make people feel very upset.
It is against the law to masturbate in a public place.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PRIVATE-VS-PUBLIC-PLANET-PUBERTY.png)
Learn more about the difference between private and public places on Planet Puberty.
Play the private vs. public game here.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Green-arrow.jpg)
Move down the page to learn why people masturbate.
Why do people masturbate?
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbating-because-of-arousal.jpg)
People might masturbate because they feel:
- sexy and excited
- aroused
Their vulva might feel wet and tingly, or their penis might be erect or hard.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Seeing-something-arousing.jpg)
A person might feel like masturbating because they have seen, heard, or read something that aroused them.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Arousal-from-Kissing-F-M.jpg)
A person might feel aroused because they have been doing sexual things like kissing, or sexual touching.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Unknown-arousal-amira.jpg)
Sometimes our bodies get aroused without us knowing why!
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Wanting-to-know-what-masturbating-feels-like.jpg)
Sometimes people masturbate because they are curious and want to know what it feels like.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Masturbation-in-underwear.jpg)
Some people masturbate because they want to find out what kind of sexual touching they like.
Masturbating is a good way to find out what feels good for your body.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wanting-and-not-wanting-to-masturbate.jpg)
Masturbating is a choice. It is up to you if you want to masturbate.
You do not have to masturbate.
![A drawing of the face of a woman having an orgasm with stars and a smiley face around her.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Orgasm-F-title-image.jpg)
People might have an orgasm when they masturbate.
Find out more about sexual arousal and pleasure.