Meanwhile, when asked whether masturbation or medication worked better, the numbers were more or less equal, with 43 per cent choosing medication, and 42 per cent masturbation. The result is notable, especially given that medication is what women have long been advised to use by health professionals. The remaining 15 per cent of women surveyed opted for a mix of both, as well as heat, CBD oil, sleep and exercise.
“Not only did the intensity of their pain decrease, but the frequency with which they felt menstrual cramps decreased too,” explains Dr Jones, a clinical psychologist and sex therapist, who partnered with Womanizer and Lunette on the research. “Even during the control month [month number five, in which women returned to their usual methods of pain relief], and after they’d stopped doing it, masturbating had a long-term positive impact on period pain – and that’s only after a few months.
The precise medical reasons why masturbation helps are unclear. However, given we know that exercise can help with period pain, it could be that orgasms also ease symptoms by increasing blood flow to the pelvic area. “The endorphin release [that happens when you masturbate] gives you that blissful feeling of happiness, which can also help with pain,” says Dr Naomi Sutton, a sexual health consultant for the NHS.
The study comes after a year that saw sexual wellness became an openly-discussed phenomenon, during which the use of sex toys went through the roof. Sexual pleasure brand Smile Makers saw its daily revenues double from March to April last year, and every celebrity going – from Cara Delevingne to the aforementioned Allen – fronted a vibrator campaign.
'blissful feeling of happiness'?
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