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Can masturbation help ease menopause symptoms? A new study and wellness product suggest it can

A study with the Kinsey Institute found 92.9% of women reported fewer menopause symptoms after using Lovehoney's SheHerMe MenoPulse Intimate Wellness device for four weeks.

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Published: October 19, 2026 at 4:21 PM

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Menopause can bring everything from night sweats and sleepless nights to mood swings, anxiety and persistent fatigue. But could something as simple as masturbation help some women manage their symptoms?

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A new study conducted by the Kinsey Institute in collaboration with sexual wellness brand Womanizer suggests self-pleasure could play a role in menopause wellbeing, with researchers finding that women reported fewer symptoms during periods when they masturbated with Lovehoney SheHerMe MenoPulse Intimate Wellness Device.

The findings offer an interesting new angle on menopause care, highlighting how sexual wellbeing could be part of the conversation alongside more familiar approaches to symptom management.

Shop the Lovehoney SheHerMe MenoPulse Intimate Wellness Device at Boots here.

What did the study find about masturbation and menopause?

The study, conducted between April and August 2025, involved women aged 40 to 75 who were perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Researchers explored the relationship between masturbation and menopause symptoms, including whether using the Womanizer Next clitoral stimulator was associated with changes in how frequently women experienced them.

The research took place in two phases. In the first, 66 women took part in a three-month study, alternating between periods of abstaining from masturbation, using their preferred method of self-pleasure and using the Womanizer Next.

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Participants were asked to masturbate three to four times a week during the relevant phases and completed regular surveys about their symptoms, sexual function and wellbeing.

The results were striking. After four weeks of using the Womanizer Next, 92.9% of participants reported experiencing at least one menopause symptom less frequently compared with during the abstinence phase.

Researchers also found that symptoms generally tended to be more common during abstinence and less common during periods of masturbation.

Which menopause symptoms improved the most?

The study found improvements across several symptoms, with some women reporting fewer problems with sleep, tiredness and mood.

After four weeks of using the Womanizer Next, the proportion of participants reporting that they felt more tired than usual had decreased, with 48% reporting an improvement in this symptom.

Other improvements reported by participants included:

Some participants also reported improvements in anxiety, headaches and vaginal dryness.

A second, smaller phase of the research involved 12 women and looked at physiological changes using heart rate monitoring. Researchers found increased vagal tone when participants used the Womanizer Next compared with their preferred method of masturbation.

The vagus nerve plays a role in regulating functions including heart rate, and its activity is associated with the body's response to stress. The researchers suggested this could help explain the relationship between masturbation and improvements in mood, sleep and other symptoms.

Could orgasm make a difference during menopause?

The findings also suggested that orgasm could be an important part of the picture.

While symptoms generally decreased during masturbation phases whether or not participants reached orgasm, women who reported difficulties reaching climax did not experience as large a reduction in symptoms in most cases.

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Researchers suggested that the release of chemicals such as oxytocin and endorphins during orgasm could help explain some of the reported benefits, including improvements in mood, sleep and pain perception.

The findings are particularly interesting given how rarely masturbation is discussed during menopause appointments.

In the study's initial survey, just 3% of participants said a doctor had discussed masturbation with them, despite 91% saying they would be more likely to masturbate if they knew it could have a positive impact on menopause symptoms.

Is masturbation a proven treatment for menopause symptoms?

While the results are promising, it's important to put them into context.

The first phase included 66 women, while the second involved just 12. The research also focused on self-reported symptoms, and the Womanizer Next was specifically tested as part of the study.

The findings show an association between masturbation and fewer reported symptoms, but they do not establish that masturbation will relieve menopause symptoms for everyone. Further research involving larger and more diverse groups of women would help clarify the potential benefits.

Masturbation can be a normal part of sexual wellbeing, but it should not be seen as a replacement for medical advice or established menopause treatments. Anyone struggling with symptoms that affect their daily life can speak to their GP or a menopause specialist about the options available.

SheHerMe launches a new menopause wellbeing device at Boots

Lovehoney SheHerMe MenoPulse Intimate Wellness Device product image

Lovehoney

The findings come as Lovehoney Group launches SheHerMe, a new women's health brand focused on menopause wellbeing.

Its debut product, MenoPulse, is a hormone-free intimate wellness device that uses targeted air-pulse stimulation. The company says it is designed to support relaxation, mood, sleep and intimate comfort as part of an everyday wellbeing routine.

According to Lovehoney Group, research conducted in collaboration with the Kinsey Institute found that 92.9% of participants reported an improvement in at least one menopause symptom after four weeks of using MenoPulse's Air-Pulse technology.

MenoPulse offers four modes: Sleep, Moisture, Relax and Well-being. The device is waterproof, USB rechargeable and designed for use at home.

It has also been awarded the GenM MTick, a UK symbol intended to help shoppers identify products designed to support menopause signs and symptoms.

MenoPulse is now available at Boots for £59.99.

SheHerMe also plans to introduce a companion app, allowing users to track symptoms, access menopause information and receive personalised recommendations.

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As conversations around menopause continue to broaden, research into sexual wellbeing offers another avenue for understanding how women might manage this stage of life. The evidence is still developing, but the message is clear: menopause care deserves an open, informed conversation about all the options that may help women feel more comfortable and supported.

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