Menopause comes with this whole chaotic starter pack. Hot flashes out of nowhere. Mood swings that feel like a roller coaster you never signed up for. Sleep turning into a wild game of chance. And a relationship with your body that suddenly feels different, unfamiliar and sometimes frustrating. So when a study started going viral saying masturbation might actually help manage menopause symptoms, everyone’s ears perked up. Pleasure as medicine? Tell us more.
The research comes from a large group of women between forty and sixty five who reported that self pleasure helped ease some of the toughest menopause symptoms. We are talking mood changes, anxiety, vaginal dryness, sleep issues and even general discomfort. Almost one in five perimenopausal and postmenopausal women said self pleasure gave them noticeable symptom relief. That is a big deal, because most conversations about menopause treat pleasure like it suddenly becomes irrelevant after forty. Spoiler. It does not.
There is a very real biological reason this works. Orgasms release endorphins and oxytocin. These chemicals soothe the nervous system, lift your mood and help with sleep. They also increase blood flow, which supports natural lubrication and keeps vaginal tissue healthier. Basically your body gets a mini reboot. It is like hitting refresh on a browser that has fifty tabs open and refuses to cooperate. And it is all coming from something you can do in the comfort of your bed with literally zero side effects.
Another important part of the study is how many women said they would feel comfortable using masturbation for symptom relief if their doctor recommended it. That highlights one thing. Women are not ashamed of pleasure. They are ashamed of how society treats their pleasure like it should expire. Medical conversations often skip over sexuality the moment menopause enters the chat. It is like doctors forget women still have desire, still crave connection and still want to feel at home in their body. A simple conversation could change everything.
The emotional benefits matter just as much
Menopause can make people feel disconnected from themselves. Some feel less desirable. Some feel like their body is betraying them. Some feel angry that no one warned them how intense it can be. But self pleasure helps rebuild that relationship. It gives people a private, pressure free way to explore what feels good now, because pleasure changes with age and that is completely normal. Learning your new rhythm makes you feel more grounded and less at war with your own hormones.
For women in relationships, self pleasure can also take pressure off partners. Menopause often affects libido, and that sometimes leads to miscommunication or guilt. A healthy self pleasure routine gives everyone space to navigate desire without stress. It is not a replacement for intimacy. It is a tool that makes intimacy easier. Knowing what works for your body helps you communicate more clearly with your partner, which usually makes sex way better for both people.
Of course, masturbation is not a magic cure for every menopause symptom. People should still talk to their doctor about hormone therapy, lifestyle changes or supplements if needed. But adding self pleasure to the toolkit can make the journey way smoother. It is free. It is safe. It is empowering. And it brings back a sense of control when everything feels unpredictable.
There is also something beautifully rebellious about this conversation. Women are reclaiming pleasure at an age society usually tries to silence. They are openly saying yes, I still want desire. Yes, I still want orgasms. Yes, I still deserve to feel good in my own body. Menopause is not the end of pleasure. It can actually be the beginning of a more confident, self aware relationship with it.
So can masturbation help during menopause?
Absolutely. The science says yes. The lived experiences say yes. And the cultural shift happening right now says women are done pretending pleasure is optional. Menopause may change your body, but it does not take away your right to enjoy it. If anything, this stage of life is a reminder that pleasure is not just for fun. It can be a form of care, comfort and connection with yourself.
