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Male masturbation

When a guy feels aroused his penis becomes harder and he gets an erection. Most guys masturbate by stroking or rubbing the shaft of their penis.

Some guys masturbate by moving their foreskin up and down their penis. Other guys masturbate by putting lubricant (lube) on their penis, to make it slippery, and then slide their hand up and down their penis. What feels good will be different for every guy, only he can work out what feels best for him.

When a guy does these things, his penis can become very sensitive and his testicles may tighten to the body. When a guy reaches maximum arousal, he may have an orgasm.

An orgasm is a reflex which is usually accompanied by pleasurable feelings. Not all guys have an orgasm every time they masturbate, and this is normal.

Some guys can feel the orgasm just in the scrotum and the genital area. Other guys report their orgasm as a sensation that spreads to some parts of the body or can be felt throughout their whole body. This might cause a guy to make a lot of noise and may also alter his breathing. Usually the male orgasm coincides with the ejaculation of semen, though not all men ejaculate with orgasm. A lot of guys have ‘dry’ orgasms (without the ejaculation of semen) until they reach puberty or adulthood – this is totally normal.

After a guy reaches orgasm he usually experiences a ‘refractory period’ – this is an amount of time after orgasm during which he might find it hard to get another erection. This can last from a few minutes to several hours – over time you’ll get to know your body and what’s normal for you.

  1. Before arousal:

    The penis is limp / flaccid.

  2. Arousal:

    Blood flows into erectile tissue, penis expands and hardens.

    Testes swell and the scrotum tightens to the body.

    Sensitivity is heightened.

  3. Plateau:

    Penis is hard and fully erect.

    Lubricating fluid (pre-ejaculate) is released from the tip of the penis.

  4. Orgasm and ejaculation:

    Physical stimulation of the penis can lead to orgasm – a series of contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis.

    Ejaculation occurs – sperm and fluid released from the urethra.

  5. Resolution:

    Blood flows away from the penis and erection subsides.

    Penis softens and testes retract to normal position.

    Refractory (resting) period occurs – meaning the penis cannot achieve another orgasm. This period may last from a couple of minutes to several hours.