Question: I am writing to you with a question that has troubled me for a while now. I have masturbated for about 5 years now and find it quite enjoyable. I employ the 5th method [water spray] that you have listed. (I was quite surprised to find it there). Now, after such a long time of doing this, I find the skin (the lips, I believe?) to be what I would describe as dead skin. It is dark in color, but when I sift it through I can see the pink area. The part that is not hit by the water is pink. Do you happen to know if this is going to have long-term negative effects (such as an inability to become pregnant)? Is there anything that I can do to get rid of this "dead" skin? Please let me know if you can be of any assistance.

Answer: The use of water spray as a means of masturbation is very common among girls and women. Certainly many of the teens and women who have written to me have tried it. I am not aware that is causes any injury, and it seems very unlikely that it would. The change in color is the result of changes inside the skin cells, most likely caused by changing hormone levels. Labia with brown pigmentation are common. Unfortunately, you have been led to believe masturbation is harmful, which simply is not true. How can something that feels so good be bad?