Masturbation (disability factsheet)

This factsheet provides messages in plain English . It is designed to assist families and workers to talk with a person with a disability about sexuality issues. Please note that some of the language in this factsheet may be very explicit. This is to maximise the learning possibilities of the person with a disability. The language chosen is simple and clear and the concepts developed have been used successfully in teaching situations.

Sometimes people like to touch, stroke or rub their vagina or penis. This is called masturbation. (The way you say this is mass-ter-bay-shun). People also call it playing with yourself, wanking or jerking off.

Why do people masturbate?

Many people enjoy masturbating. It feels good. It can also help us learn about our bodies, the shape and feel of our vulva or penis, the kind of smell different parts of our body have and the different ways we can feel.

It cannot hurt you to masturbate. Some people say it is not healthy but this is not true.

Some people masturbate often, and others don't masturbate at all. It's up to you to decide whether you want to masturbate or not.

An important thing to remember when you masturbate is to find a private place where you can feel comfortable and be alone. This might be in your bedroom, or if you share a bedroom it might be in the bathroom, toilet or shower.

Sometimes, when people care for each other they masturbate together. This is another way of making love.

What happens when you masturbate?

Most girls and women masturbate by touching their clitoris and in and around their vagina. Sometimes when a woman masturbates her vagina gets wet and slippery. She may have an orgasm. Women might also like to touch their breasts and nipples. Only you can work out what feels best for you.

Most boys and men masturbate by holding their penis, and moving their hand up and down on it. Only you can work out what feels best for you. Sometimes white sticky stuff (semen) comes out of the penis. When this happens it feels very good.

People can masturbate lying down, standing up, sitting down or in other positions. Some of the things that happen to your body when you masturbate are the same as when you have sex. Often people who masturbate have an orgasm. Then something happens in their body that feels very different and exciting.

Reference

All About Sex / Family Planning NSW - a book written specifically for people with an intellectual disability or learning difficulty to educate them about sexuality.

About Masturbation for Females / Family Planning NSW

Other resources

About Masturbation for Males / Family Planning NSW