love yourself!

What is it about the m-word that freaks people out so much? in many cultures, masturbation is considered “dirty.” yet over half of all girls and women have done it—most for the first time before age 18. You’re not weird if you don’t — it’s a personal choice — but if you do, it’s completely natural. Plus, it’s the safest kind of sex possible. that’s because you’re having a one-on-one session with your real best friend — yourself! nevertheless, myths about masturbation persist. Here’s the truth.

MYTH: Girls don’t masturbate—only boys do! TRUTH: It’s true that society says it’s okay for guys but not girls to touch and explore their private parts. That’s why over 80 percent of guys feel free to “spank the monkey” while only 60 percent of girls do. Some girls think they shouldn’t try and so they suppress the urge, or feel guilty about it if they do. Whether or not you masturbate depends on your own beliefs, but every girl has the same right as a guy to explore her body in a safe way — and feel no shame!

MYTH: Only people who “can’t get any” or are desperate masturbate. TRUTH: Absolutely not! Masturbation has nothing to do with whether you have a sex partner. When you masturbate, you learn about yourself and what gives you pleasure. That’s a good thing. And here’s something that may surprise you: studies report that people in relationships masturbate more often than single people do — so the desire to touch yourself doesn’t make you a loser.

MYTH: Masturbation causes blindness (or acne, hair loss, chronic fatigue, hairy palms, infertility, or cancer). TRUTH: None of these things are true. If they were, we’d live in one pimply, tired, hairy-palmed, and infertile society! In fact, doctors say masturbation has medical benefits. It can relieve stress, insomnia, headaches, PMS, and menstrual cramps. During masturbation (and orgasm), your brain releases endorphins — chemicals that ease pain, elevate your mood, and make you feel better.

MYTH: Masturbation causes STDsTRUTH: Masturbation does not cause STDs. Only skin-to-skin contact or a transmission of bodily fluids from an infected partner can spread an STD. In 1994, when teen STD rates were on the rise, the then–surgeon general, Joycelyn Elders, recommended that schools teach masturbation as a way to prevent STDs. She was forced to resign! Too bad people didn’t listen — because today, 1 in 4 teens who are sexually active (oral sex counts!) has an STD.