Menopause & Masturbation
Masturbation: A Key to Menopausal Wellness That Needs to be Talked About
Menopause is often associated with uncomfortable symptoms like vaginal dryness and atrophy, which can lead to genital discomfort and painful sex. Many women struggle with these issues in silence, often unaware of an accessible and effective way to manage them: masturbation.
Research has shown that both masturbation and partnered sex increase blood flow to the vaginal area, helping to maintain healthier vaginal tissue. This is especially important for menopausal women, as increased sexual activity—whether solo or with a partner—can reduce the risk of vaginal atrophy and improve overall vaginal health.
However, the conversation around menopause and masturbation is still surprisingly limited. A survey conducted by Kinsey and Womanizer revealed that less than half of menopausal women had discussed menopause with their doctors, and only 5 percent reported that their doctors had ever mentioned masturbation as a management strategy for symptoms like dryness and discomfort.
This lack of dialogue points to a larger issue: menopause, and even more so, masturbation, remains a taboo topic in many medical settings. The average medical student receives just 2.5 hours of sexual health education per year—hardly enough to cover essential topics like menopause, let alone the role that masturbation can play in managing menopausal symptoms.
It’s clear that we need to do more to educate both women and healthcare providers about the benefits of self-pleasure during menopause. Masturbation is a no-cost, accessible, and effective strategy that can be combined with other treatments like hormone replacement therapy, diet, and exercise.
And here’s the good news: nearly half of the women surveyed (46 percent) said they would be open to trying masturbation as a way to manage menopausal symptoms if their doctors recommended it.
At Intimate Wellbeing, we believe it’s time to stop treating masturbation as a "secret" option and start openly discussing it as part of a holistic approach to menopausal care. Each woman’s journey through menopause is unique, and it’s important to create a treatment plan that reflects her individual needs.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of masturbation for menopausal health, check out this insightful article.
By embracing all available options—including self-pleasure—we can empower women to take control of their menopausal wellness and experience more comfort and joy during this transition.
Find your joy and your health—because you deserve both!
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