Study Reveals Self-Pleasure as Effective Menopause Relief Tool

A recent study from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University highlights the potential benefits of self-pleasure in managing menopause symptoms. Published in the journal Menopause, the research indicates that many women experiencing menopause may find relief from mood and sleep disturbances through masturbation. Despite its effectiveness, this approach is rarely discussed in medical consultations.

The survey involved a representative sample of 1,178 women aged between 40 and 65 in the United States. Participants shared their experiences with menopause and the effectiveness of various symptom management strategies, including hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, and sexual pleasure. The findings revealed that nearly 14% of perimenopausal women routinely used masturbation as a strategy for symptom relief.

Among the different methods reported, exercise emerged as the most popular, with 25% of participants utilizing it, followed closely by relaxation techniques at 24%, diet adjustments at 21%, and supplements at 19%. Notably, only 4% reported using prescribed hormone therapy, and about one-third of participants indicated they did not employ any symptom management strategies.

When assessing effectiveness, masturbation scored high on a five-point scale, achieving a rating of 4.35. This was notably higher than various lifestyle changes, which scored between 3.89 and 4.06. Hormone therapy also received a commendable rating of 4.2, despite its low utilization rate.

The study found that approximately 46% of perimenopausal respondents noted improvements in at least one menopause symptom after engaging in self-pleasure. Specific benefits included enhanced mood reported by 43%, increased sexual desire and pleasure noted by 13%, and improved sleep reported by 13%. Other positive impacts included enhanced vaginal lubrication, pain relief, and a reduction in hot flashes.

A significant portion of respondents expressed a willingness to explore masturbation as a symptom relief method. About 66% indicated they would engage in self-pleasure more often if they understood it could alleviate their symptoms. Furthermore, 57% of participants stated they would be open to trying it if recommended by a healthcare provider. This underscores the need for more open and evidence-based discussions around sexual health between patients and providers.

Interestingly, the study revealed a generational shift in attitudes toward self-pleasure. Perimenopausal women were significantly more likely than their postmenopausal counterparts to report having masturbated in the past year and to be more open to self-pleasure as a symptom relief option. Despite this, one in five women surveyed admitted to never having masturbated at all.

Dr. Cynthia Graham, Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, emphasized the need for broader conversations about menopause. “Conversations about menopause often focus on hormone therapy or lifestyle changes, but self-pleasure remains overlooked,” she stated. “Our findings suggest masturbation may play a meaningful role in symptom management.”

This study contributes to the growing body of research linking sexual well-being with menopause care. Individualized management strategies, which include self-pleasure, may provide the best health outcomes for women navigating this significant stage of life.

For further reading, refer to “The role of masturbation in relieving symptoms associated with menopause,” published in the journal Menopause in 2025.