Masturbation helps to alleviate psychological distress in women, study suggests

A recent study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health provides insights into the relationship between masturbation and psychological distress among women. The research found that women who experience higher levels of psychological distress are more likely to engage in masturbation, particularly clitoral stimulation, as a form of stress relief. This challenges the longstanding stigma surrounding female masturbation and highlights its potential benefits for mental well-being.

Masturbation is a common sexual behavior among women in Western societies. Despite its prevalence, societal and religious stigmas have historically discouraged women from exploring their sexuality, often labeling masturbation as harmful.

Previous studies have shown that sexual arousal and orgasm can improve mood and regulate stress, suggesting that masturbation could serve as a beneficial coping mechanism for psychological distress. However, the specific roles of clitoral and vaginal stimulation in this context had not been thoroughly investigated, prompting the researchers to explore this further.

“We were interested in this topic because the idea of masturbation as a coping strategy has gained traction in research and public discourse,” said study author Fabienne S. V. Wehrli, a doctoral student at the University of Zurich. “This is the case particularly amongst women, who have historically faced discouragement, stigma, or even prohibition regarding masturbation. We were intrigued to learn more about the association between masturbation, psychological distress and coping in women.”

For their study, the researchers utilized a concurrent mixed-method design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data to explore the relationship between masturbation and psychological distress in women. The study sample consisted of 370 women aged 18 to 56, who had masturbated within the past three months. These participants were recruited through social media and university mailing lists in Switzerland.

Free daily newsletter

To begin, participants were asked to complete an anonymous online survey. The survey included detailed sociodemographic questions, measures of psychological distress, and questions about their masturbation habits. Psychological distress was assessed using the Symptom-Checklist-27 (SCL-27), a well-validated tool that measures various symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other emotional states. The survey also included a graphical image of female reproductive organs to ensure that all participants had a common understanding of the anatomical terms used in the questions.

Participants were asked to indicate the mode of stimulation they primarily used during masturbation in the past three months, choosing between clitoral stimulation, vaginal stimulation, combined clitoral and vaginal stimulation, anal stimulation, or other forms of stimulation. They then reported the frequency of masturbation for the chosen mode of stimulation. Additionally, the survey posed an open-ended question asking participants to describe their feelings towards masturbation, which provided qualitative data to complement the quantitative findings.

The researchers found a significant relationship between psychological distress and masturbation frequency, particularly clitoral masturbation. Women experiencing higher levels of psychological distress, especially those with symptoms related to dysthymia (chronic depression) and mistrust, reported masturbating more frequently. This suggests that masturbation, and particularly clitoral stimulation, serves as a self-soothing behavior during times of stress.

“It was surprising that increased psychological distress was not associated with combined clitoral and vaginal stimulation,” Wehrli said. “Further studies should look into these associations in more detail.”

The qualitative data supported these findings. Many women reported positive feelings associated with masturbation, such as happiness, relaxation, and contentment. Some participants explicitly mentioned using masturbation as a coping strategy to deal with stress, difficulty sleeping, and even physical pain. These women viewed masturbation as a form of ‘me-time’ and self-care, helping them to unwind and feel better.

Negative feelings about masturbation were reported by a minority of participants. These negative emotions were often related to societal stigma or personal discomfort with the practice. Some women expressed feelings of shame, frustration, or loneliness associated with masturbation. Despite these negative sentiments, the overall trend indicated that masturbation was predominantly viewed in a positive light and used as a beneficial coping mechanism.

“The findings revealed that increased psychological distress correlated with higher frequency of clitoral masturbation, most likely because masturbation might function as a coping mechanism, elicit positive emotional states and serve as a form of self-care,” Wehrli told PsyPost. “The main takeaway is that masturbation as a form of self-care could be beneficial for health literacy, especially in women who experience much distress. We believe this knowledge can empower women to explore the potential of the clitoris for their mental health.”

But the study, like all research, includes limitations. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality, meaning it is unclear whether masturbation directly reduces psychological distress or if distressed women are more likely to masturbate.

“It is important to note that our findings are strictly correlational,” Wehrli said. “Future research should use analysis through daily diary studies, which could offer deeper insights into how masturbation affects pain, sleep quality, and overall psychological well-being in the short and long term.”

The study, “Exploring the Role of Masturbation as a Coping Strategy in Women,” was authored by Fabienne S. V. Wehrli, Guy J. Bodenmann, Joëlle Clemen, and Katharina Weitkamp.