Hayley Folk
Dec 5, 2024
The change. The big change of life. As women (and folks with vulvas) know, the awaited menopause — an often misunderstood, anxious-inducing time in life — is when many are unsure of how to cope with their new normal. The good news? Masturbation might help ease it.
According to a new study from The Kinsey Institute and Womanizer, it was discovered that masturbation can actually improve menopause symptoms — like sleep disturbances, mood changes, hot flashes, and more — all with the help of your trusty hand or vibrator.
And who doesn’t love an excuse to find some pleasure?
Masturbation & menopause: The findings
Surveying over 3,000 American women from ages 18-88, the researchers discussed overall public knowledge, their understanding of menopause overall, and how masturbation either increased or decreased their symptoms.
Within their findings, 36.2 percent of the menopausal women surveyed reported experiencing improved symptoms through masturbation alone. However, only 1 in 10 of the women said that they currently use self-pleasure as a primary symptom management tool.
“This survey shows self-pleasure offers an effective, accessible tool for menopausal symptom relief, which is important to integrate with existing care strategies,” Dr. Cynthia Graham, the Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, said in the study.
If you’re menopausal, or perimenopausal or you’re doing some research on how to manage that time when it comes later in your life, remember that some good ol’ self-pleasure is an option.
What the medical community thinks
Despite the findings of this study, though, conversations around menopause and masturbation aren’t happening in the medical community. In fact, only 44 percent of respondents reported ever discussing menopause with their healthcare provider. Among them, a tiny 5 percent said their provider suggested masturbation as a possible symptom-management strategy.
But that doesn’t mean folks aren’t interested in exploring their pleasure as a form of relief. Of half the women surveyed, 46 percent said they’d be open to trying masturbation for symptom relief if it was recommended by their healthcare provider.
How, you, too can embrace pleasure as care
“There’s no reason masturbation should remain a secret in menopause care,” says Verena Singmann, Lovehoney Group’s Head of Pleasure Advocacy in the study. “Women have the right to know all of their options when it comes to managing the challenges of menopause, and we’re here to break the silence around masturbation as an empowering and effective choice.”
No matter what age you are, it’s always great to continue to educate yourself on what’s happening to your body.
To help bridge the gap in menopause care, Kinsey Institute researchers Dr. Cynthia Graham and Dr. Justin Lehmiller will expand upon their scientific research on menopause during a two-day continuing education workshop with the Sexual Health Alliance, delivering practical strategies for providers seeking to improve care for perimenopause and menopause.
If you’re menopausal, or perimenopausal or you’re doing some research on how to manage that time when it comes later in your life, remember that some good ol’ self-pleasure is an option.