Unveiling the Secrecy Behind Masturbation

Tiffany L. Meyer; Tina L. Cheng

doi:10.1542/pir.23-4-148

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Tiffany L. Meyer, MD
Tina L. Cheng, MD, MPH

Children’s National Medical Center
Washington, DC
Associate Editor, In Brief

Suggested Reading

Communicating with Adolescents and Young Adults About Sexuality. Jones R, Shearin R. Pediatr Ann. 1982;11:733–738
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Maturation and Development of Innate Needs. Gemelli R. In: Gemelli R. Normal Child and Adolescent Development. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc; 1996:305–306, 342, 388–389, 428, 460, 497–498
Developmental Behavior Problems. DeAngelis C. In: Autotte PA, DeAngelis C, Howard BJ, Pediatric Primary Care. Boston, Mass: Little, Brown and Company; 1984:443–444
On Masturbation. Noshpitz J. Pediatr Ann. 1982;11:747–750

Masturbation is the stimulation of one’s own genitals, often resulting in orgasm. As young as 5 months of age, an infant who developmentally is learning to grasp will commonly manipulate the genitalia, especially the penis. Masturbation may occur at any age, but it is particularly common among toddlers, preschool children, and adolescents. At about 3 years of age, children begin to focus more on their genitals, seeking sensual pleasure by manipulating their penile or vaginal area. Normal 3- to 4-year-old children have an innate need to explore both their parents’ and their own bodies. Sexual curiosity is a manifestation of this need. At 4 to 6 years of age, children perform sexually related behaviors, such as touching their genitals, scratching their private parts, and masturbating with their hands or by rubbing against objects or their …