A new study from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, published in the journal Menopause, has identified self-pleasure as a potentially valuable strategy for managing symptoms associated with menopause. The research highlights that, while most women are receptive to the idea, discussions around masturbation remain rare in clinical practice.
The study emphasizes that sexual wellbeing may play a critical role in overall menopause care, particularly for mood and sleep disturbances. “Our findings suggest masturbation may play a meaningful role in symptom management,” noted Dr. Cynthia Graham, Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute.
Study Design and Participant Demographics
Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of 1,178 women aged 40 to 65, representing a diverse cross-section of the U.S. population. Participants were asked about their menopause experiences and the strategies they used to manage symptoms, including hormone therapy, dietary supplements, lifestyle interventions, and sexual pleasure.
Findings revealed that traditional lifestyle approaches remain the most commonly used strategies. Exercise was reported by 25% of participants, relaxation techniques by 24%, diet adjustments by 21%, and supplements by 19%. Prescribed hormone therapy was used by only 4% of women, while approximately one-third reported no symptom management at all. In contrast, nearly 14% of perimenopausal women reported using regular masturbation as a symptom management tool.
Effectiveness of Self-Pleasure Compared to Other Strategies
When evaluating the effectiveness of various symptom management strategies on a 5-point scale, masturbation scored highly at 4.35, surpassing most lifestyle interventions, which ranged from 3.89 to 4.06. Hormone therapy, although used by few, also scored favorably at 4.2.
Perimenopausal women reported improvements in specific menopause symptoms linked to masturbation, including enhanced mood (43%), increased sexual desire and pleasure (13%), better sleep quality (13%), improved vaginal lubrication (11%), pain relief (8%), and reduced hot flashes (3%). Additional positive effects were reported by 10% of participants.
Patient Attitudes and Clinical Implications
A majority of perimenopausal women (66%) indicated they would masturbate more if they were aware it could alleviate symptoms. More than half (57%) expressed willingness to try masturbation for symptom relief if recommended by a healthcare provider. Despite this openness, only a small fraction reported that their doctors had ever discussed masturbation—7% among perimenopausal and 4% among postmenopausal women.
These findings highlight a gap in clinical conversations, which often emphasize hormone therapy and lifestyle modifications while overlooking sexual self-care. The study underscores the importance of open, evidence-based discussions between patients and providers about sexual health.
Generational Differences in Sexual Wellbeing
The study also revealed potential generational differences in attitudes toward masturbation. Perimenopausal women were more likely than postmenopausal women to report recent masturbation and greater openness to using self-pleasure as a symptom management strategy. Nonetheless, a subset of women—approximately 20%—reported never having engaged in masturbation, indicating that self-pleasure may not be acceptable or appealing to all patients.
Implications for Menopause Care
Funded by sexual wellness company Womanizer, this study contributes to a growing body of evidence linking sexual wellbeing and menopause management. Experts suggest that individualized care, incorporating multiple strategies—including self-pleasure, lifestyle modifications, and, where appropriate, hormone therapy—may offer the most comprehensive benefits for women navigating menopause.
By acknowledging and addressing sexual self-care, healthcare providers can better support women’s holistic health during this transformative life stage.
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