Can masturbation stunt my growth or anything like that?
- James*

No. Masturbation will not interfere with a person's growth in any way.

Masturbation is when people rub their own genitals (the penis in males or the area around the vagina in females) because they like the way it feels. Lots of people have heard all sorts of crazy stuff about masturbation, like that it can cause diseases, interfere with growth, cause mental problems, lead to blindness, or stop a person from having children. But those things aren't true.

Masturbation is often considered a private topic and some people may feel embarrassed to think or ask about it. And when people are too embarrassed to talk about something, they might hear and believe things that aren't accurate. If you have worries or questions about masturbation, talk to a doctor, nurse, health counselor, or someone in your family.

Reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
Date reviewed: August 2012

* Names have been changed to protect user privacy.