New Clinical Study Shows Masturbation Can Relieve Menopause Symptoms

First-of-its-kind clinical study links self-pleasure to measurable improvements in sleep, mood, and wellbeing

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Womanizer, the global leader in women's sexual wellness, and the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University today announced headline results from a groundbreaking clinical study examining how masturbation — and the use of Womanizer's flagship Next clitoral stimulator — can affect menopause symptoms.

The new study is the first controlled investigation of its kind to examine how self-pleasure can influence menopausal health and wellbeing. Building on a 2024 survey of 1,500 American women which found that 36% experienced menopause symptom relief from masturbation and 1 in 10 used it as their primary relief strategy, the two organizations set out to dig deeper.

"Conversations about menopause often focus on hormone therapy or lifestyle changes, but self-pleasure remains overlooked," said Dr. Cynthia Graham of the Kinsey Institute. "Our findings suggest masturbation, and especially reaching orgasm, may play a meaningful role in symptom management."

Key Findings

• Symptom improvement: After four weeks of Womanizer Next use, 92.9% of participants reported experiencing at least one menopausal symptom less frequently. The biggest improvements were in feeling well-rested and experiencing fewer mood swings.
• Attitudes toward masturbation: 91% said they would be more likely to masturbate if they knew it could positively impact menopause symptoms, and 79% said they would follow a doctor's advice to do so. Yet only 3% reported ever having a doctor discuss masturbation with them.
• Effectiveness of Womanizer Next: 95% of women reported enjoyment of the product; 32.3% said it made it easier to reach orgasm compared to their preferred method; and 81.8% continued using Womanizer Next at the end of the study.
• Orgasm matters: While masturbation alone appeared beneficial, women who achieved orgasm showed the largest symptom reductions, likely due to neurochemicals such as oxytocin and endorphins that improve sleep, mood and pain perception.

About the Study

From April to August 2025, researchers recruited 66 peri- and post-menopausal women aged 40–75 across 27 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Participants were screened through surveys and interviews, then asked to vary their masturbation habits at home. The women were instructed to masturbate 3–4 times per week using the Womanizer Next stimulator, which employs 3D Pleasure Air™ Technology.

At baseline, 97% of participants reported at least one menopause-related symptom, most commonly fatigue, night sweats, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and joint pain.

The study's full data report is available here.

Why It Matters

This research highlights a major gap between patient interest and clinical guidance. Although most participants were open to using masturbation for symptom relief, very few had ever received that recommendation from a healthcare provider. By documenting measurable benefits, Womanizer and the Kinsey Institute aim to destigmatize self-pleasure and position sexual wellness as an integral part of menopause care.

"We've long believed sexual wellness is an important aspect of health and wellness," said Verena Singmann, Head of Public Relations for Womanizer. "These findings underscore how our products can support women through different life stages, especially menopause where pleasure is often forgotten."

This study was sponsored by Womanizer's Pleasure Fund, a five-year, $300k commitment to women's health and sexual wellness research, created to lessen the Gender Health Gap.

For more information, visit https://www.womanizer.com/us/menopause.

About Womanizer

https://www.womanizer.com/us/

About the Kinsey Institute

https://kinseyinstitute.org/about/index.php

Contact [email protected] for more information

SOURCE Womanizer