Using Steptronic (Switching from auto to Manual) Consequences

I have been having my automatic BM for more than 2 years now. I have never tried using the steptronic function until this past weekend. I used it when i was going uphill and the performance seems to be a lot better than using the auto.

I know probably you guys are going to burst out laughing at what I am asking, but I really don't know and would like to know..

Are there any problems of switching from automatic to manual once in a while? Does this hurt the gearbox?