According to new research, masturbation may help alleviate the symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause. It’s the safest form of sex, says a researcher, but it’s not for all women — due to stigma, and more.
Nearly one in ten women in peri-menopause or menopause resorts to masturbation to alleviate your symptoms, according to a study that has generated media interest around the world.
This attention is probably due to the fact that masturbation is a strategy new (and perhaps somewhat provocative) to alleviate these symptoms, in addition to the fact that older women are often seen as asexual.
But will masturbation really relieves symptomsas suggested recently published in the magazine Menopause? In an article on , Australian sociologist and sexual health expert Jennifer Power analyzes the evidence.
The health benefits of masturbation
The study, conducted by researchers from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, one of the most recognized institutions researching sexuality and interpersonal relationships, was carried out in the United States and was funded by the sex toy company Womanizer.
Researchers surveyed a representative sample of 1,178 perimenopausal and menopausal women, ages 40 to 65.
The women who reported changes in the menstrual cycle, but who had still had at least one menstrual period in the last year were classified as being in peri-menopause. Those who indicated that they had not menstruated for a year or more were considered menopausal.
Nearly four out of five women They said they had already resorted to masturbation. Among these, approximately 20% reported that masturbation relievedin some way, your symptoms.
In peri-menopausal women, the symptoms that improved the most were difficulty sleeping and irritability. For a small number of menopausal women, helped especially with vaginal painfeeling of bloating and pain when urinating.
The results are in line with previous investigations which demonstrate that masturbate until orgasm it can help reduce anxiety and psychological distress, improve sleep, and decrease vaginal pain.
Not so much, research into the benefits of masturbation for health, social or marital relationships – including the relief of menopausal symptoms – is still scarce.
In particular, it is not known for sure how masturbation can improve symptoms. Researchers suggest that the relaxing effect do orgasmo e a release of endorphins can help improve mood, facilitate sleep and reduce pain.
Sexual stimulation can also induce vaginal lubrication and increase blood flow in the genital area, helping to maintain vaginal function.
However, a small number of women in this study stated that masturbation worsened his symptoms, although it is not clear why.
Masturbation is still subject to stigma
As we recalled a few days ago at ZAP, there was a time when masturbation “was”. Currently, in most cases, it is no longer considered something sinful or dangerous. However, it continues to be subject of some stigma.
Women, in particular, often associate masturbation with feelings of sexual shame and they tend not to talk openly about their masturbation habits.
Thus, the stigma and invisibility surrounding masturbation make it is rarely the subject of clinical investigation about its benefits.
As a consequence, there is little evidence on its effectiveness in relieving menopause symptoms, especially when compared to other non-pharmacological interventions, such as physical exercise or stress management techniques.
The North American study demonstrated that women tend to resort much more to strategies based on physical activity, nutrition or stress reduction, to manage menopausal symptoms, than masturbation.
However, many women involved in the study may never have considered masturbation as a way to alleviate their symptoms.
Masturbation is not for everyone
Masturbation is free, relatively simple and, for most women, it gives pleasure. There is no reason why it should not be promoted as an affordable menopausal symptom relief strategy that may benefit some women.
However, It’s not always that simple. There may be obstacles for some women. Not all women masturbate or derive pleasure from masturbation.
The study carried out in the USA revealed that almost one in five women respondents never masturbated. This percentage is higher among older and menopausal women, possibly reflecting a generational shift in attitudes toward masturbation.
Some women in the study expressed moral or religious resistance to the practice of masturbation.
Other studies also show that some women do not resort to masturbation. The reasons can be diverse, from lack of desire to lack of privacy or alone time.
Older women may still face complex physical barriers, including loss of libido or decreased dexterity and flexibility.
O silence and stigma around masturbation also make it difficult for health professionals to approach the topic. This was evident in the North American study, with almost all participants reporting that they had never spoken to a doctor about masturbation, whatever reason.
However, about 56% of perimenopausal women indicated that they would masturbate more often to treat menopausal symptomsif that were the case for themrecommended by the doctor.
Although there is no guarantee that masturbation will alleviate menopause symptoms for all women, suggesting that they try it is unlikely to cause any harm. It is, after all, the safest form of sex there is.
We talk little about masturbation, especially among older women. But by demonstrating that most women in this age group masturbate and that it may have health benefits, this recent study is groundbreaking and valuable, concludes Jennifer Power.
