Masturbation / Question
Published: June 11, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Please help, whenever I touch myself or try stimulation, I feel nothing. Even during sex, I feel nothing. I can masturbate by squeezing my legs together. I don't understand this. Is this normal?
Signed: Feel Nothing During Stimulation
Dear Feel Nothing During Stimulation,
To enjoy sex or the pleasurable feelings from masturbating you have to be comfortable with your body and with your partner. There's a very strong brain-body link between relaxing and getting to orgasm. The more pressured, insecure, uptight or scared you feel the less your body can do what it needs to do.
If you have been masturbating repeatedly it is possible to reduce the sensitivity of your penis, clitoris or vagina. But don't worry - it is not permanent damage; the nerve endings in your sexual organs just need a break. Try stopping for a few days or cut down on the frequency of your masturbation sessions.
You may want to try experimenting with different techniques or changing your routine. If you always masturbate using the same method, you may be getting bored. Masturbation is often noted as a great way for a person to explore their sexuality. Why not investigate the different possibilities of pleasuring yourself. Any type of masturbation is fine as long as it is not affecting your life in any negative way and it is done in a private place.
You may also want to experiment with different positions during sex. Most orgasms result from stimulating the clitoris. Some women enjoy vaginal stimulation-others do not. Nervous tension and fatigue can also lessen someone's ability to arouse sexually.
The other thing you could do is to try talking to your doctor about your concerns. This may sound odd to you, but your doctor is concerned about your overall well being which includes sexual health. If you would like to speak or see an Adolescent Medicine physician (someone who specializes in teen medical concerns) and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center at 973.889.6350 for an appointment or other questions like yours, check out FX?s answer to Why Can't I Ejaculate.
If you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475. If you live outside of Northern New Jersey, please call your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. Teen health centers will see teenagers confidentially (meaning you do not need your parent's permission) and on a reduced cost or no cost basis for sexual health reasons.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens often abuse prescription drugs because of the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.
