Younger partners and sex toy use are associated with less severe symptoms of menopause

Key Points:

• A study published in Sexual and Relationship Therapy found that orgasms, especially through masturbation with sex toys, can alleviate physical and emotional symptoms of menopause by improving sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and mental well-being.
• The research highlights that individuals in non-monogamous relationships or those dating younger partners experience fewer menopausal difficulties, with sex toy use linked to significant reductions in symptoms like tiredness and sleep disturbances.
• Mental well-being mediates the relationship between sexual pleasure and emotional symptom relief, suggesting that sexual satisfaction enhances overall mental health during menopause.
• The study involved 150 mostly cisgender women participants and used surveys to assess sexual functioning, relationship satisfaction, mental health, and menopausal symptoms, but its small, culturally homogenous sample limits generalizability.
• Researchers emphasize the need for inclusive sex toy designs for diverse populations and plan to explore further the interactions of therapies, relationship types, and sexual health, including age-gap and same-sex relationships.