Overview
- Kinsey Institute researchers surveyed 1,178 U.S. women aged 40–65 and published the findings in the journal Menopause.
- About one in ten perimenopausal or menopausal women said they used masturbation to manage symptoms.
- Roughly four in five participants had ever masturbated, and about 20% of that group reported some symptom relief.
- Perimenopausal respondents most often cited improvements in sleep difficulties and irritability, with smaller menopausal reports for vaginal pain, bloating and painful urination.
- Few participants had discussed masturbation with a clinician, the study disclosed funding from sex-toy maker Womanizer, and the authors call for more independent research.