“‘Guys Want More Than Sex' really did say what guys want in a girl, and no joke, a great personality and a sense of humor are great things to look for in a girl.”
—Louis, 16, Australia
Sex 411: Answers to Your Most Common Questions about Sex
Originally Published: Feb 24, 2004
Revised: Jul 11, 2007
I’ve been masturbating regularly for many years. Is it going to harm my sexual abilities or affect my sexual health?
Not to worry. Frequent masturbation will not affect your sexual abilities or health in any way. Scientific studies have shown that masturbation does not harm the body’s health—sexual or otherwise.
The only physical hazard that may arise from masturbation is irritation of the skin from frequent rubbing or friction. This can usually be prevented by using enough lubricant during masturbation to keep the skin from turning raw. If no lubricant is available, rest may be needed for the skin to heal.
As for sexual performance or ability, since you’ve been masturbating for several years regularly, you may need to learn how to let others bring you to orgasm in a sexual relationship, instead of relying on your own movements. But other than that, your sexual abilities should not be affected.
Masturbation actually has many benefits. It can help relieve stress and teach you about your own body and what feels good to you.
—Jennifer Z. Gong, 17
My boyfriend and I were naked and grinding against each other, and he pre-came. We didn’t have intercourse and his penis was never inside of me. But since he pre-came near me, is it possible I could get pregnant?
Even though you didn’t have intercourse, there is still a slight chance you could get pregnant, because pre-cum sometimes contains sperm.
Here’s the deal. Pre-cum is the fluid that comes out of a guy’s penis once he gets an erection and before he ejaculates. This fluid cleans out the urethra, so the sperm can pass more easily through the penis.
Pre-cum only contains sperm if a guy recently ejaculated and, soon after, gets another erection. If he came before, there may still be sperm in the urethra. And if that pre-cum was near or went into your vagina, there’s a slight chance you could be pregnant.
If you think you might be pregnant, you should go to a doctor or health clinic for a pregnancy test. And don’t forget—pre-cum can also spread sexually transmitted infections, so a guy should put a condom on as soon as he gets an erection.
—Migdalia Roman, 18
That’s an excellent question! I’m really glad to see that protection is so important to you.
Though using both a male and female condom may sound like doubling your protection, it’s actually not a good idea. The polyurethane female condom will most likely stick to a latex male condom, which increases the chance that both condoms will slip off. (The same goes for “double-bagging,” putting two condoms on a guy.)
A better way to increase the effectiveness of a condom is to back it up—for example, use it with a barrier method, like a diaphragm, or a hormonal method, like the Pill. Used along with another method of protection, one condom is highly effective.
—Acacia Stevens, 17
In the locker room at school, I try to get a look at my friend’s penis. I just want to see if mine is growing fast enough. But if I look at his penis, does it mean I’m gay?
Being curious about your penis size is only natural. And checking out your friend’s penis size certainly does not mean that you’re gay.
Don’t be so concerned about placing a label on yourself, even if you think you might be gay. As you grow older and develop, your sexual orientation will become clearer to you.
In the meantime, it is perfectly normal for guys to be concerned about their penis size. But in the scheme of things, this is not of the greatest importance. Most sexual partners are more concerned with other things about a guy, such as his personality, rather than with his penis size.
—Sam, 18
 |
 |
 |
 |
Your Comments
QUESTION?
Posted by: gigglesbaby7 on Jul 26th, 2008 5:09am
is it true that if you have sex you lose weight? i have had
it with my boyfriend quite a few times now and i get
pleasured. okay so that doesnt really worry me. what worries
me is that he doesnt use protection and im not on birth
control. but he pulls out before he cums. i want to go on
the pill but im self-conscious about my body. should i be?
and if i go and see a doctor for that would they tell my
parents i have done it? or keep it confidential? please
please help me!
RE: me
Posted by: DanR on Jan 9th, 2008 1:55pm
This can certainly happen. The friction that is caused from
masturbation can cause the skin to become irritated. A
water based lubricant can be your best option to reduce the
effects of that friction. If you have ever had unprotected
sex (oral, anal or vaginal), you may want to go to your
health care provider or a clinic to get tested and be sure
you are not experiencing the symptoms of a STD. If you need
to find a local clinic, check out this link:
http://www.sexetc.org/page/get_tested/.
me
Posted by: chuck_94 on Dec 31st, 2007 3:34am
i have been masturbating alot lately and im starting to get
a rash.
is that normal or should i be concerned?
RE: Sex RE:
Posted by: DanR on Dec 6th, 2007 2:00pm
Some women experience pain during their first time having
vaginal
intercourse, others do not. The reason for this is
because many girls are born with a hymen, which is a thin
elastic (stretchy) piece of skin
that partially covers the
entrance to the vagina. When there is pain or bleeding
during first-time vaginal intercourse it may be due to the
hymen getting stretched or torn, or from lack or lubrication
and anxiety which can cause penetration to be painful.
Sex RE:
Posted by: Sammiy on Dec 5th, 2007 4:02pm
ok i have this really good friend & i was telling him how i
might lose it to another good friend of mine who he hates &
he was telling me how when he lost it the girl said it hurt
really bad
should i worry ???
Response: sex...
Posted by: StacieS on May 4th, 2007 9:07am
Girls usually need much more *time* and more *touch* than
guys to start to feel pleasure and to eventually have an
orgasm. They need to have their clitoris, a small bump of
skin above the opening of the vagina, touched and rubbed.
And that doesn't usually happen during sexual intercourse.
You will need to talk to your partner about this. Of course,
orgasm shouldn't be the only goal of getting physical. Sex
should bring the intimate pleasure of being so close to
another person, too.
sex...
Posted by: cookie32 on May 3rd, 2007 9:40pm
i had sex with my boyfriend about 4 times and it hurt so i
know its not that he's small but why dont i feel any
pleasure? is there somthing wrong with me? should i get
checked out? someone help please!
You Must Be Logged In to Comment
Answer, Rutgers University © 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Developed by MSSG, Office of Information Technology
RE: QUESTION?
Posted by: DanR on Jul 28th, 2008 4:01pm
You have a few questions here, so I will try to answer them
all. Having sex can be very physical (like exercise), and
so he more physical you are, the more calories you can burn.
If you are having unprotected sex you are not only at risk
for unwanted pregnancy, you are also at a higher risk for
getting an STD. You should check in with your health care
provider and find out what their specific policies are about
confidentiality and then you can go from there. I hope that
helps!