Masturbation / Question
Published: August 13, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am addicted to masturbation. I jerk off 2-3 times a day!
Signed: Masturbation Addiction
Dear Masturbation Addiction,
Masturbation is a normal activity that both men and women do in order to become more comfortable with themselves and also to satisfy normal sexual urges. Masturbation can be performed everyday of the week or one day a month; it is purely a personal preference. As long as you masturbate in private, it does not cause you any type of discomfort or pain and it does not get in the way of normal relationships, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
If you feel that your masturbation has turned into an addiction (an addiction is something that must be done everyday regardless of other life circumstances, something that you think about several times a day at least and is beginning to interfere with you everyday activities), then you may want to talk to a therapist or to your doctor. They will be able to determine if you have an addiction or not and how to help you.
If you need to talk to someone and you live in NJ you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973.889.6350. Best of luck!
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The teen pregnancy rate in the United States is the highest of any industrialized democracy, nearly twice that of Great Britain and 10 times that of Japan. 
