Many women often suffer from unpleasant abdominal pain during their period. A study has now found that regular masturbation can reduce menstrual cramps. You can find out here exactly how masturbation affects the pain.
Mood swings, bloating or uncomfortable cramps – many women dread their periods and the associated symptoms every month . Above all, the cramping abdominal pain in the lower abdomen is particularly bad. But why? During menstruation, the uterus contracts and sheds the lining that has built up over the past month in preparation for a possible pregnancy. These contractions of the uterus are controlled by the hormone prostaglandin, which is a messenger of pain. The higher the prostaglandin level, the more painful the period cramps can be. It has not been scientifically explained why some women have little or no pain and others have very severe pain. Home remedies such as heat or exercise promise relief from the cramps, but most of the time many women who are suffering have to resort to painkillers.
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Study: Women should regularly masturbate
The sex toy brand Womanizer and the tampon manufacturer The Female Company wanted to test whether and to what extent masturbation can relieve period pain . For this reason, the two companies have their so-called ” menstruation study”accomplished. The approximately 480 participating women were asked to masturbate regularly over a three-month period. During the test phase, the menstruating women stopped taking painkillers for their period pains and masturbated instead. In return, they received products that they could, but did not have to, use during the study. Each month, the participants recorded the level of their period pain. After the three months, they returned to their usual means of pain control and relief. A final survey after another month was to determine whether masturbation has a positive long-term effect on period pain.
Studienergebnis: Masturbation lindert Periodenschmerzen
The study – scientifically reviewed by study leader, psychologist and sex therapist Dr. Jones – came to the following conclusions:
- Around 90 percent of women said they would recommend masturbation for pain relief from menstrual cramps.
- 70 percent of the participants said that regular masturbation affects the intensity of period pain. Of the 70 percent, 93 percent said masturbation at least somewhat reduced the intensity of their pain. 7 percent did not provide any information.
- 85 percent said they would like to continue the masturbation routine after the study.
- When and how often the participants masturbated in the cycle varied: almost half of the participants masturbated over the course of the month. 28 percent masturbated before their period while experiencing PMS symptoms
About 33 percent of respondents masturbated four to seven times a month. 23 percent masturbated seven to ten times a month. - In addition to period cramps, regular masturbation also worked on other menstrual cramps, relieving diarrhea , breast and back pain, and bloating.
dr Christopher Ryan Jones commented on the study results and said:
I’ve always recommended masturbation as part of a healthy self-care routine. In a world where there is still a great deal of shame associated with masturbation, it is all the more important to emphasize the benefits. With this study, we were able to demonstrate empirically that masturbation is an effective method of treating menstrual cramps.
The results are an important building block for physicians who want to educate their patients about masturbation or for individuals who are looking for a non-drug solution to their period pains.
How does masturbation affect menstrual cramps?
During masturbation and especially during and after orgasmHormones such as endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine are released, which have a positive effect on the body. Endorphins, also known as happiness hormones, influence the perception and processing of pain and counteract prostaglandins (the pain messengers). Oxytocin reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which relaxes the body and also reduces pain. Furthermore, dopamine triggers feelings of euphoria and happiness and thus ensures inner balance. Due to the release of these hormones, physical pain processes recede into the background. At the same time, the metabolism and blood circulation are stimulated during masturbation and especially during orgasm, which ensures relaxation and a better sense of well-being.
also dr Andrea Burri, psychosexologist and founder of the Institute for Sex Counseling and Sexual Sciences (ISCSS) commented and concluded:
After the test phase, fewer participants than at the beginning experienced certain symptoms in each phase of the cycle. This suggests that masturbation can reduce pain over the longer term and have a lasting, positive effect on health and general well-being
