Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41217890›Full record

ArticleMenopause (New York, N.Y.)2026

The role of masturbation in relieving symptoms associated with menopause.

Justin J Lehmiller, Cynthia A Graham, Louise Ferrall, Emily A Mendelson, Merissa S Prine

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Justin J LehmillerThe Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.ORCID 0000-0003-2198-6588
Cynthia A GrahamThe Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
Louise FerrallDepartment of Gender Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
Emily A MendelsonDepartment of Communication, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.ORCID 0000-0002-8729-603
Merissa S PrineFamily Relations and Human Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.

Funding

Womanizer IUN #221611
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe present research sought to explore the potential role of masturbation in the relief of symptoms associated with menopause.

methodsA demographically representative US sample of 1,178 women ages 40-65 completed an online survey about their current symptom management strategies (including masturbation) and their efficacy. Data were analyzed quantitatively using t tests and χ 2 , and qualitatively with thematic analysis.

resultsNearly one in five perimenopausal and postmenopausal women had noticed that self-pleasure provided symptom relief. Relative to other symptom management strategies, masturbation was rated among the highest in providing symptom relief, especially with respect to psychological symptoms (ie, mood changes) and sleep disturbances. Nearly half of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women indicated that they would be open to trying masturbation as a symptom relief approach if their doctor recommended it.

conclusionsMasturbation may play a valuable role in managing menopause symptoms, and it is important that physicians discuss the potential benefits of self-pleasure with their patients.

Indexed as

MasturbationMenopauseAdultAgedFemaleHot FlashesHumansMiddle AgedPostmenopauseSleep Wake DisordersSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited StatesMasturbationMenopausePerimenopauseSexual functioning

Identifiers

PMID41217890
PMCPMC13011940

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.