A 2025 study published on behalf of The Menopause Society looked at how women aged 40–65 experience masturbation across different stages of menopause. The findings are refreshingly honest — and quietly revolutionary.
Masturbation is still common — just not always talked about.
The study found that most women (over 60%) had masturbated in the past year. That number didn’t vanish with menopause — it simply shifted.
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Perimenopausal women (those in the early transition) were the most likely to self-pleasure a few times per week.
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Postmenopausal women still did, but often less frequently — around once a month.
In other words: self-pleasure doesn’t end with menopause. It just evolves.
The “why” behind it matters.
When asked why they masturbate, women across all stages gave similar answers — pleasure, release, and relaxation. But one group stood out.
Perimenopausal women were most likely to say they masturbate to relieve stress or to sleep better.
That makes perfect sense. As hormones fluctuate and sleep becomes trickier, self-pleasure can be a soothing, natural way to wind down. It’s not just about orgasm — it’s about self-regulation, comfort, and care. There are many wellness benefits to self-pleasure!
Orgasms? Still happening.
One of the most striking findings: the ability to reach orgasm didn’t change much at all.
Across all ages and stages, about 80% of women said they reached orgasm when they masturbated.
Some even said their orgasms felt better than before — perhaps thanks to knowing their bodies more deeply, or feeling less pressure to perform for anyone else.
So, while frequency may change, pleasure itself remains steady.
Sex toys stay part of the story.
Around 40–45% of participants said they use sex toys when they masturbate — among the different types of vibrators, wand and rabbit vibrators topped the list for post-menopausal women.
That’s a reminder that pleasure tools can play a meaningful role at any age — especially as bodies change and direct stimulation feels more comfortable or effective.
What the study didn’t ask — but should have.
One notable omission from the research? Lubricant use.
The study didn’t ask participants whether they used lube during masturbation — something that can make a big difference at any age, but especially during perimenopause and postmenopause, when estrogen levels drop and natural lubrication can decrease.
Using lube isn’t just about comfort. It helps reduce friction, enhances sensation, and supports healthy tissue — all of which make self-pleasure (and partnered pleasure) more enjoyable and sustainable.
What the study tells us.
Menopause is often framed as an ending. But this study paints a more accurate picture: it’s a shift, not a shutdown.
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Masturbation stays a steady source of pleasure and stress relief. In fact, solo sex may become more of a wellness tool during peri-menopause than any other time in our lives.
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Orgasms remain possible — and satisfying.
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Sex toys and lubricants continue to enhance pleasure and comfort.
And perhaps most importantly, self-pleasure becomes self-care. For perimenopausal women especially, it can help manage mood swings, tension, and sleep struggles — not unlike meditation or stretching before bed.
Let’s normalize that.
Talking openly about self-pleasure during menopause isn’t just about sexuality — it’s about wellness. When we treat masturbation as a natural part of caring for ourselves, we break away from the idea that desire has an expiration date.
Because pleasure doesn’t disappear with age. It just changes shape — and sometimes, it becomes even more personal, and in some post-menopause cases - more orgasmic!
