Study: Masturbation Relieves Menopause Symptoms for Some Women

A new study suggests that masturbation can provide significant relief from common menopause symptoms for a portion of women, offering a low-risk, accessible option amid gaps in clinical guidance on the topic.

Researchers at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University surveyed 1,178 women aged 40 to 65 across the United States, focusing on perimenopausal and postmenopausal participants. The findings, published in the journal Menopause, indicate that about 20 percent of respondents who had masturbated reported improvements in symptoms such as mood swings, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and pain. Among users, masturbation received one of the highest effectiveness ratings, averaging 4.35 on a five-point scale, surpassing many lifestyle interventions like exercise or diet changes and slightly edging out hormone therapy at 4.2.

The survey drew from a demographically representative sample, with 23 percent of participants in perimenopause and 56 percent postmenopausal. Perimenopausal women showed stronger benefits, with 46 percent noting improvement in at least one symptom: 43 percent reported better mood, 13 percent improved sleep, and smaller groups cited gains in sexual desire,...