Not if you believe science. No credible studies have shown that masturbation can cause you any physical harm. It definitely DOES NOT stunt your growth, cause hair to sprout on your hands or any of those other outrageous myths you might have heard. So stop worrying.

Masturbation is natural and normal. Most people do it. Surveys show that 80 percent of males and 59 percent of females have masturbated by age 18.

In your early teen years, your body changes. Hormones make you feel tension in your penis or vagina. This tension builds and you can feel 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 sometimes come when you have sex or do sexual things with someone else.