New Research Highlights Self-Pleasure as Menopause Relief Strategy

A recent study conducted by the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has revealed that self-pleasure may serve as an effective strategy for managing menopause symptoms, particularly mood swings and sleep disturbances. Published in the journal Menopause, the research indicates that while many women are open to exploring this method, few have discussed it with their healthcare providers.

The study surveyed a representative sample of 1,178 women aged between 40 and 65 in the United States. Researchers examined participants’ experiences with menopause and the effectiveness of various symptom management strategies, which included hormone therapy, dietary supplements, lifestyle changes, and sexual activity. Among those surveyed, nearly 14% of perimenopausal women reported using regular masturbation as a method to alleviate symptoms.

In contrast, other strategies such as exercise (25%), relaxation techniques (24%), dietary adjustments (21%), and supplements (19%) were more commonly employed. Only 4% of the women reported using prescribed hormone therapy, and approximately one-third indicated they did not engage in any form of symptom management.

When evaluating effectiveness, self-pleasure scored 4.35 on a five-point scale, making it one of the most effective strategies reported. This was notably higher than the scores for various lifestyle changes, which ranged from 3.89 to 4.06. Hormone therapy also received a strong rating at 4.2, despite its low usage rates.

The survey further revealed that 46% of perimenopausal women experienced improvements in at least one menopause symptom after engaging in masturbation. Reported benefits included enhanced mood (43%), increased sexual desire (13%), better sleep (13%), improved vaginal lubrication (11%), pain relief (8%), and a reduction in hot flashes (3%).

A significant finding of the study is that a majority of perimenopausal women, specifically 66%, stated they would be more likely to engage in masturbation if they understood it could alleviate their symptoms. Additionally, 57% indicated they would be open to using masturbation as a relief strategy if recommended by their healthcare provider. This highlights the critical need for open and informative discussions regarding sexual health between patients and practitioners.

Interestingly, the study also pointed out generational differences in attitudes toward self-pleasure. Perimenopausal women were significantly more likely than their postmenopausal counterparts to report having masturbated in the past year, as well as being more receptive to the idea of using self-pleasure for symptom relief. Despite this, about one in five women surveyed reported never having masturbated at all.

Dr. Cynthia Graham, a Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, emphasized that discussions surrounding menopause often focus predominantly on hormone therapy and lifestyle changes, neglecting the potential benefits of self-pleasure. She remarked, “Our findings suggest masturbation may play a meaningful role in symptom management.”

This study contributes to a growing body of research that emphasizes the link between sexual well-being and effective menopause management. While individualized approaches remain essential, incorporating self-pleasure into a broader array of management strategies could lead to improved health outcomes for many women.

For further details, refer to the study published in Menopause in 2025 (DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002675).