Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Masturbation

What is masturbation?

Masturbation means using your hands to stimulate your genitals or your partner's genitals.

Partners can masturbate each other in turn or at the same time (mutual masturbation) or masturbate themselves while the other person watches.

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What are the risks to health from masturbation?

There is no risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection if you masturbate alone.

If you masturbate your partner, there is a risk that any viruses or bacteria on your hands could be passed to your partner. Similarly, any viruses or bacteria on their genitals, in their semen or in their vaginal fluid might be passed on to you.

You don't need to touch your own genitals for this to happen - many infections can get into the body just as easily though the mouth or eyes or through any cuts, sores, or areas of damaged skin.

The longer masturbation goes on, the greater the risk that the skin on or around the genitals will become damaged. This makes it easier for infections to enter the bloodstream.

Visit the clinic to read more about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

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Reducing the risks from masturbation

The risks of catching an STI through mutual masturbation can be reduced if both partners:

• use a condom or female condom
• be careful not to spill any semen or vaginal fluids
• use plenty of condom-friendly lubrication
• avoid touching the eyes, mouth, nose or any broken skin.

It's very important also to wash your hands carefully with soap before touching your genitals, mouth or eyes if you've been masturbating your partner, or touching your partner's genitals, mouth or eyes if you've been masturbating yourself.

Both partners should wash thoroughly after masturbation and clean up any spillages.

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Safer sex alternatives to mutual masturbation

Cyber sex and phone sex are both less risky in terms of sexually transmitted infections than mutual masturbation.

Find out more about safer sex alternatives.

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