HEALTH

Masturbation

Masturbation is the self-stimulation of the genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm (sexual climax). It is commonly done by touching, stroking, or massaging the penis or clitoris until an orgasm is achieved.

It is a very common behavior, even among people who have a sex partner. Masturbation is the first sexual act experienced by most males and females. In young children, masturbation is a normal part of the growing child’s exploration of his or her body.

In addition to feeling good, masturbation is a good way of relieving the sexual tension that can build up over time, especially for people without partners or whose partners are not willing or available for sex. Masturbation also is a safe sexual alternative for people who wish to avoid pregnancy and the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. It also is necessary when a man must give a semen sample for infertility testing or for sperm donation.

It is normal, healthy sexual activity that is pleasant, fulfilling, acceptable, and safe. It is a good way to experience sexual pleasure and can be done throughout life.

Masturbation is only considered a problem when it inhibits sexual activity with a partner, is done in public, or causes significant distress to the person. It may cause distress if it is done compulsively or interferes with daily life and activities.

Physical Changes in Boys

1. The external genitals (penis, testes and scrotum) will start to grow. It’s normal for one testis to grow faster than the other.
2. Pubic hair will start to grow. It will get darker and thicker over time.
3. You’ll get taller and your chest and shoulders will get broader
4. It’s common for boys to have minor breast development. It’s normal and usually goes away by itself.
5. Hair will start growing on other parts of your body – under your arms, on your face and on the rest of your body. Your leg and arm hair will thicken. Some young men will grow more body hair.
6. You will start producing more testosterone, which stimulates the testes to produce sperm.
7. You will start getting erections and ejaculating (releasing sperm). During this period, erections often happen for no reason at all. Just let yourself know that this is normal and that people don’t usually notice. Ejaculation during sleep is often called a ‘wet dream’.
8. The larynx (‘Adam’s apple’ or voice box) will become more obvious. Your larynx will get larger and your voice will ‘break’, eventually becoming deeper. Some boys’ voices move from high to low and back again, even in one sentence. This will stop in time.
9. Muscles increase in strength and size during this period.
10. You will gain weight and need more healthy food. Teenagers’ stomachs and intestines increase in size, and they need more energy, proteins and minerals. Foods with plenty of calcium and iron are important for bone growth and blood circulation.
11. A new type of sweat gland in the armpit and genital area develops during puberty. Skin bacteria feed on the sweat this gland produces, which can lead to body odor. Hygiene is important.
12. Glands in the skin on the face, shoulders and back start to become more active during puberty, producing more oil. This can lead to skin conditions like acne. Your child might find her hair gets oilier, and she needs to wash it more. This is normal.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Puberty is a time of sexual growth and development that everyone goes through. It is natural and normal phase in life which is an important step towards becoming an adult. It is a time when your body starts to change and you begin to look more like a grown-up. Boys will soon start to look like young men and girls start to look more womanly.

Wet Dream is when you ejaculate while you’re asleep. Nightfall or wet dreams is one of the physical change and is very natural and common occurrence in adolescents. This condition is characterized by involuntary ejaculation of semen while sleeping at night or in the early hours of the morning. Usually a wet dream happens while you’re having a dream about sex. It is not necessary that you remember the dream. You don’t have to masturbate to have a wet dream and can ejaculate without touching your penis

The problem can sometimes become frustrating for young men because they fail to understand the reason for it and cannot discuss it with their parents or peers out of shame. The frequency of these nocturnal ejaculations may vary from person to person. Some people only experience it in their adolescent years and some people experience it throughout their lives.

Male Reproductive Organs

Penis has several functions. It is involved in sexual feeling; in this function it corresponds to the clitoris in the female. The penis may fill with blood and become hard and erect in response to sexual stimulation. The reproductive function of the penis is to deliver semen into the vagina. The third function is the excretion of urine (see urethra below). The end of the penis is covered by a layer of skin called the foreskin. In many populations, the foreskin is removed through a procedure called male circumcision. Testicles (or testes), two ball-shaped glands inside the scrotum, produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone. The scrotum and testes are sensitive to touch and can be a source of pleasure. Scrotum, a loose bag of skin, holds and protects the testicles. When cold, it is pulled up tight toward the body to keep the testicles at the right temperature to produce sperm. Urethra is a tube that runs from the bladder through the penis. The urethra is the passageway through which semen (a mixture of seminal fluid, prostatic fluid, and sperm) travels out of the body during ejaculation; urine also passes out of the body through the urethra. A valve at the bottom of the bladder closes when the penis is erect to prevent urination during ejaculation. Epididymis (not numbered, but visible) is a highly coiled tube that sits on top of each testis and stores sperm as they mature until they are ejaculated. Vas deferens are two long thin tubes that carry the sperm toward the urethra. Prostate gland produces a fluid that makes up part of semen and helps sperm to move. Seminal vesicles produce much of the fluid that ultimately becomes semen.