Ask Sam

Hi there,

It’s good to hear from you I’m glad you’ve got in touch.

I can hear how this is something that is on your mind at the moment and had made you a bit worried. I want to let you know that it’s perfectly normal for both girls and boys to masturbate. Sometimes people find the topic of masturbation embarrassing and this might lead people to shy to talk about it.

Lots of people ask me a about different rumours they hear about masturbation and I want let you know that masturbating is something that is common and it natural part of getting to know your own body. Masturbation won’t cause any mental or physical harm and even if you masturbate often it will not affect your sex life or cause any problems that other people may have told you about.

This is a question that comes up lots of on the ChildLine message boards on the Sex and Relationships section in the ChildLine website. It might be help for you to have a look and to see what other young people and girls have to say about it.

Sex and masturbation can sometimes be confusing if you wanted to talk more about these things you can speak to a ChildLine counsellor. A ChildLine counsellor is also someone you could talk over you feeling with. They don’t judge and would be able to keep what you’ve said to me confidential.

You can get in touch with a ChildLine counsellor through the Talk section of the website. You email them, or log on for a 1-2-1 chat or you can call us on 0800 1111, free and without it showing up on any bills.

Take care,

Sam