Dear nmar241,

Masturbation has no effect on the size of your penis. Masturbating will not change any aspect of your physical appearance. However, masturbation does have a number of physical and mental health benefits, such as relieving stress and physical tension. Many people masturbate to relax, to feel good, and it can help some people fall asleep.

Puberty doesn't happen all at once — it happens in stages. So a girl or boy may show some signs of puberty at an early age (like breasts beginning to grow or a voice that's starting to crack), but may not show other signs of puberty until she or he is much older (like getting a period or growing facial hair).

One of the biggest concerns for many guys is the size of their penis. There isn't a normal size for any particular age. However, 90 percent of all adult erect, or hard, penises are between five and seven inches long. Also, the size of a guy's penis when it's flaccid ("soft") doesn't really have anything to do with what it will be like when it's erect ("hard"). As they become erect, smaller flaccid penises tend to grow more than penises that are larger when they're flaccid.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.