No credible studies have shown that masturbation causes health problems. It definitely does not stunt your growth, cause hair to sprout on your hands, change the way your genitals look or any of those other outrageous myths you might have heard. Your health care provider won’t be able to tell if you’ve ever masturbated.

Masturbation is a good way to learn about your body and your sexual feelings without the complications that can come when you have sex or do sexual things with someone else. It can’t lead to pregnancy or cause a sexually transmitted disease.