#menstruation
Study proves that masturbation reduces period pain
Many menstruating people are regularly plagued by period pain
© Panthermedia / Imago Images
And every month the menstrual groundhog says hello. In tow: various corrosive symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, irritability, breast tenderness and much more. A new study now shows what can help and also gives us a really good feeling.
This text first appeared here brigitte.de.
Menstruation – half of the people deal with it at some point in their lives and yet women’s health is still poorly researched. Of course we know about PMS and cycle-related pain, but that’s about it. Because there is a big gap not only in terms of salary and care work between men and women, but also in medicine. The so-called gender health gap describes this gap and shows that women have also been neglected in medicine and research for a long time.
Two taboos in one study: menstruation and masturbation
In May 2020, the sex toy manufacturer Womanizer and The Female Company therefore launched the Menstruation Study (Menstruation + Masturbation) – the first clinical study worldwide to find out whether masturbation helps against period pain. The result: yes, masturbation helps with period pain and other symptoms.
In order to obtain valid results on the positive effect of masturbation on PMS and period symptoms, the study followed around 500 menstruating women over a period of five months. Their current menstrual problems serve as a starting point. During a three-month test phase, they stopped taking painkillers for period pain and masturbated instead.
Each month, the level of her period pain was recorded. After the three-month trial, they went back to their usual means of pain control and relief. A final survey after another month should determine whether masturbation has a positive long-term effect on period pain. The result? Through masturbation alone, the pain level was reduced by 1.3 points within three months.
Positive effect on inner restlessness
But not only that, positive effects of masturbation could also be found on other symptoms, as Dr. Andrea Burri, psychosexologist and founder of the “Institute for Sex Counseling and Sexual Sciences” (ISCSS) explains: “The evaluation of certain symptoms shows that regular masturbation can above all reduce the frequency of physical complaints. In particular: cramps, pain in the breasts, abdomen, lower back, and inner thighs. In addition, it also had a positive effect on anxiety. After the testing period, fewer participants than initially experienced specific symptoms in each cycle phase. This suggests that masturbation also reduce pain in the longer term and have a lasting, positive effect on health and general well-being.”
Why does masturbation help with period pain?
As always, the hormones are to blame: During and after the orgasm, endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine are released, which have a positive effect on the body. Endorphins have a direct influence on the perception and processing of pain and counteract prostaglandins (the pain messengers).
Oxytocin reduces the stress hormone cortisol, providing relaxation and pain relief, while dopamine induces feelings of euphoria and happiness, bringing inner balance. At the same time, the metabolism and blood circulation are stimulated when masturbating and the increased blood circulation in the muscles ensures better well-being. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t relax when having an orgasm?
But the best thing about the study is that it doesn’t cost anything to simply take a chance and try it out. It won’t do any harm, but at best we’ll have fun and can banish all the Ibus and paracetamols to the pharmacy cupboard. Masturbation is much more than self-gratification: it is self-care, as Dr. Christopher Ryan Jones, Clinical Psychologist & Sex Therapist, says: “I have always recommended masturbation as part of a healthy self-care routine. In a world where masturbation is still fraught with a great deal of shame, it is all the more important that benefits. With this study, we were able to demonstrate empirically that masturbation is an effective method of treating menstrual cramps.”
Source: menstruation study