The Role of Masturbation in Managing Menopause Symptoms

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Kinsey Institute has highlighted the potential benefits of masturbation as a method for managing menopause symptoms among peri- and postmenopausal women. The study surveyed 1,178 women aged 40 to 65 across the United States, focusing on their experiences with various symptom-management strategies, including self-pleasure.

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The survey revealed that masturbation was rated highly by participants, with perimenopausal women giving it an average score of 4.35 out of 5, comparable to partnered sex and hormone therapy. Approximately 13.5% of perimenopausal and 9.7% of postmenopausal women reported using masturbation for symptom relief. Notably, nearly one in five women acknowledged experiencing symptom relief from self-pleasure.

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Participants reported improvements in various symptoms, including lubrication issues, pain, sexual desire, and headaches. However, 19.5% of the overall sample indicated they had never masturbated, suggesting that self-pleasure is not widely utilized as a symptom-management tool.

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The study underscores the need for greater awareness and communication regarding menopause and sexual health. Dr. Cynthia Graham, a co-author of the study, noted that discussions about menopause often center on hormone therapy and lifestyle changes, leaving self-pleasure overlooked. This gap is significant, especially considering that almost 90% of medical trainees feel unprepared to support patients through menopause.

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The authors of the study emphasized the importance of researching menopause due to the disruptive symptoms many women experience. They concluded that masturbation could play a meaningful role in symptom management, advocating for healthcare providers to recognize its potential benefits. They stated, “While managing menopause is something that necessitates a custom solution to each woman based on her unique health and needs, doctors and other health care providers should be cognizant of the valuable role that masturbation may play in symptom relief.”

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Despite the positive findings, the study's reliance on self-reported data raises questions about the causal links between masturbation and symptom relief. Critics point out that without physiological measures to track changes in sleep quality, hormone levels, or body temperature, the findings may not fully capture the complexities of menopause management.

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The study highlights a pressing need for healthcare professionals to incorporate discussions about self-pleasure into menopause care. As awareness grows, further research may explore the physiological impacts of masturbation on menopause symptoms, potentially leading to more comprehensive treatment options for women experiencing this life stage.

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“Menopause is important to research for many reasons, one of which is that most women going through perimenopause experience several symptoms that have been described by women as ‘highly disruptive and intolerable,’” — Dr. Cynthia Graham, Professor of Gender Studies, Indiana University

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“Our findings suggest masturbation may play a meaningful role in symptom management,” — Dr. Cynthia Graham, Professor of Gender Studies, Indiana University

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“Conversations about menopause often focus on hormone therapy or lifestyle changes, but self-pleasure remains overlooked,” — Dr. Cynthia Graham, Professor of Gender Studies, Indiana University

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