Research Indicates Sexual Satisfaction Remains Significant for Women Throughout Menopause Transition

A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at the Kinsey Institute, recently published in the journal Menopause, reveals that sexual pleasure continues to hold importance for women during and after menopause. Despite a reported decrease in masturbation frequency among women aged 40 to 65, many postmenopausal women maintain their orgasm frequency and report satisfaction levels comparable to those of younger women.

The study analyzed data from 1,500 U.S. women across different stages of menopause—pre-, peri-, and postmenopause—and examined aspects such as masturbation habits, orgasm quality, and sex toy use. Findings show that the average orgasm frequency during masturbation remains steady at around 81%, regardless of menopause stage. Interestingly, peri- and postmenopausal women were more likely to report improvements in orgasm quality over the past decade.

In terms of sexual aids, the prevalence of sex toy use during masturbation was similar across all groups, with common devices including wand vibrators and rabbit vibrators, ranging between 41% and 47%. Notably, postmenopausal women were less likely to engage in masturbation and valued it slightly lower than their younger counterparts, with a rating of 3.5 versus 4.2 on a 7-point scale.

These insights emphasize that many older women continue to prioritize self-pleasure, which research indicates can boost overall well-being and alleviate menopausal symptoms. The findings also suggest the importance of healthcare professionals discussing the benefits of masturbation with older women, acknowledging the growing acceptance of sex toys, despite potential social taboos. For industry players, designing sex toys tailored for older women could further support autonomy and sexual satisfaction in later years.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-sexual-pleasure-important-women-menopause.html