Masturbation is when you touch your genitals and other parts of your body for sexual pleasure and release. A lot of people � both guys and girls -- do it. Surveys say that 80 percent of males and 59 percent of females have masturbated by age 18. Some do it more than others. Some never do it.

Masturbation is a safe way to enjoy sexual touch. There�s no chance of disease, pregnancy or broken hearts.

And, it�s a good way to relieve the pressure, without jumping into the world of sexual intercourse with another person. In your early teen years, your body changes. Hormones make you feel tension in your penis or vagina. This tension builds and can get really uncomfortable until you find a way to release it. Masturbation is one way to do that.

It's also a good way to get used to your body and your sexual feelings without the complications that come sometimes when you have sex or do sexual things with someone else. It can help you learn how your body reacts to sexual touch. When you�re ready to have sex with another person, knowing this can help you tell you partner what you like and what you don�t.