"urmm.... is this normal?
Like I just said to a 12 year old boy on here- its not something that you 'start' to do as you get older like go to work or join a gym! Its just something that 'happens' and there aren't any instructions. There isn't a certain way to do it. Or a certain age when you are 'supposed' to do it. Some people do, some people don't, and all people discover it at different ages. Its a personal thing, and a private thing. But it is also a normal and natural thing. It really won't make you go blind, you won't go to Hell for it and its all good as long as you are not harming yourself or others or breaking the law with it. Just do whatever feels good and in time you'll learn what turns your own body on or off. There is no such thing as a step by step guide.
Puberty really doesn't have much to do with it other than that it is usually during puberty that masturbation is 'discovered' so to speak. It isn't true that people only do it once they have hit puberty, and I know that from personal experience!! Kids do it too, just like someone else on here has observed from her own children. It doesn't have to be centred around the mainstream, more frequently talked about sense of 'masturbation' where people use specifically designed toys or watch porn or do it together to reach sexual climax. Masturbation clearly occurs naturally, and in a lot of circumstances before the person who's doing it even knew there was a technical word for it! - I'm sure when a toddler touches themselves simply because it feels nice they're brains are not developed enough to conjure up detailed sexually focussed fantasies or erotic thoughts as we later learn to have.
So to be honest, yes it is 'normal' to masturbate at the age of 13. And its not abnormal if you don't at that age, or ever in your life either. There are no dangers to your health unless you literally do something that damages your body, like be too rough or something! If anything it really is up to the individual and can also be a good way of learning about your own body. And if you know yourself what does and doesn't do it for you, then maybe this info can be shared with a partner later on in life when you are ready for that to help along a mature, responsible and loving relationship.
Hope this helps! Don't worry about it.....
If you are usure, have a look on the net for the teenage girl's handbook called 'Respect Yourself' by Psychology and health expert Anita Naik, or other similar girl's books which may help you further with common probs and queries for girls like you.
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