Why Masturbating Regularly Can Help Improve Female Health

In a recent joint study by the non-profit Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) and the condom company Trojan, researchers surveyed 1,500 Canadians between 18 and 24 about their self-stimulation habits. The study revealed that 54 per cent of women polled used a vibrator during their last “self-love” sesh, with 46 per cent of those same users saying the device was pleasurable. (It’s no small wonder that vibrators are a $15 billion dollar industry.) But resorting to toys isn’t for everyone, and there are a variety of ways to set the mood and get to know your body on a deeper level. As an act of self-love and to ease yourself into regular masturbation — something many women might not think to fit into their weekly schedules — consider taking a bubble bath, playing sexy music, reading feminist erotica or watching ethical porn. And remember — masturbation does the body good. Here’s how…

There’s a reason why most of us start to nod off shortly after climaxing: orgasms emotionally and physically relieve tension in the body, gently lulling us into a state of total exhaustion and, ultimately, dreamland. So, the next time you’re looking for a quick fix for catching up on your Zzz’s (remember: you can never get enough sleep), set aside that book you were reading and set the mood with a little self-stimulation to release all that prolactin — the hormone linked to sexual satisfaction and sleep. It’s the most fun sleep aid out there — and it’s free!

We’re often told that meditation and yoga are great ways to unwind after a long, stressful day. And while that may be true for many, there’s another way women can lighten the mood and ease their minds. In order to reach climax, you have to set aside all your worries and focus — much in the same way stress tends to recede when you’re engaging in any activity that you enjoy. In this case, the distraction certainly serves an even greater purpose. The female orgasm releases enough endorphins (the neurotransmitters that conjure positive feelings) to leave you feeling good and mellow.

Although the science on this is still in its infancy, there is some evidence that regular masturbation can help ease menstrual cramps. Remember those stress-busting endorphins we just mentioned? Well, those same “feel-good” neurotransmitters can also offer some much-needed pain relief. In addition, some researchers believe that uterine contractions help the menstrual fluids and tissues exit the body faster, thus assisting in relieving cramps. If nothing else, a little self-stimulation is a lot more fun than lying curled up on the couch clutching a heating pad to your belly. Isn’t that the best? An intense orgasm can help your period feel less intense.

No, it’s not the same thing as a “real” workout on a treadmill, but an orgasm can definitely get your heart rate up and your blood pumping. That thumping in your chest and ears after you’ve climaxed is your body’s way of thanking you. As neuroscientist Barry Komisaruk pointed out in Vox’s Netflix series, Explained, the female orgasm is essentially “cardio for the brain.” At the end of the day, working up a bit of sweat is always great for your cardiovascular health, and the fact that you can opt to do it lying down is just an added bonus.

As women, we’ve been told sex myths like they’re true — had it ingrained in our minds that the male orgasm is all that matters during intercourse. Mainstream porn doesn’t help our cause and high school sex ed, for the most part, distills sexual relations down to “man meets woman, man and woman have sex, man climaxes, woman becomes pregnant.” We’ve unknowingly taken our cues from a socio-sexual script, a theory that was first introduced in the 1973 book Sexual Conduct. But we’ve learned a little sexual curiosity is normal and healthy to explore. It’s 2019 and we can safely say masturbation is healthy and OK. In fact, we encourage it.

In the case of the female orgasm, we’ve been conditioned to believe that it’s totally normal not to come every time we engage in sexual activity and that it’s, in fact, illusive and not common for a woman to climax. However, according to a 2017 study, 86 per cent of lesbians say they orgasm regularly with a partner (compared to only 65 per cent of heterosexual women). Chalk it up to open communication and fewer socio-sexual “rules” to follow.

Frequent masturbation builds sexual confidence, self-esteem and self-worth and can empower women to ask for what they want from their partners in the bedroom. “This is how we learn,” advises Samantha Bitty, a relationship coach, and sexual health educator and advocate. “One of the most useful things about self-pleasure is that it teaches us what we like. This feels good. That doesn’t.”