Your Health' Topics About This Site Dictionary Bulletin Board Service Directory Links Touching, rubbing or otherwise stimulating the genitals can produce an exciting and pleasurable sensation. This is called masturbation.
Masturbation is a widespread and frequently occurring experience in both sexes.
It usually begins early in life when an infant discovers that touching the genital area is pleasurable. For an infant, discovering his or her genitals is as natural and routine as discovering other parts of the body, such as fingers and toes. Young children often fondle their genitals when they are tired, bored, listening to stories or watching television. It is natural for people of all ages to be curious about their bodies and to find stimulation of the genitals to be pleasurable. As a result, masturbation often continues in varying degrees throughout the life span.