How Masturbation Can Help Relieve Pain from Reproductive Health Conditions

When you have an orgasm your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that block pain and make you feel good. This can be beneficial for anyone experiencing depression and/or anxiety due to reproductive health issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or hormone imbalances.

Because the clitoris is a whole organ that snugly fits around the vagina and bladder, which becomes erect and swollen with blood when in an aroused state, masturbating increases blood flow to your whole reproductive area. Reaching orgasm can help relax all the muscles in that area too. This is in addition to your body releasing all the feel good chemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin which react with receptors in the brain and change how we experience pain.

If you do experience regular pain from PCOS, endometriosis, or your menstrual cycle in general, you might not feel particularly connected to your sensual side due to often feeling uncomfortable sensations in your body. But, it is worth taking the time to pleasure yourself as studies have shown that women’s pain tolerance can greatly increase when self-stimulation results in orgasms.

Masturbate however you like

You can simply use imagination and your hands. Or you can bring a sex toy or two into the mix along with your favorite fantasies. 

You might prefer to watch some ethical porn on your computer while you touch yourself, listen to some audio porn, or read some erotica out loud or in your head. There is no right or wrong way to get yourself off.

If you’re feeling especially disconnected from your body, it might be worth seeking some extra help. You could book in for a yoni massage (yoni is a Sanskrit word and loosely translates to “a sacred space”); a sexual tantra practice that involves massaging the vagina and surrounding area gently and intentionally while the receiver focuses on the sensations that they’re feeling along with controlling their breathing. 

The massage awakens many of the nerves in that area, and relaxes the muscles and often leads to multiple orgasms. If you have a partner you could ask them to give you this kind of massage.

While masturbation probably won’t fully cure the physical pain of some reproductive issues, nor the psychic pain caused by things like anxiety and depression, it’s one free and easy step – with no prescription required – towards feeling better than you did before that orgasm.

References:

Whipple, B., & Komisaruk, B. R. (1985). Elevation of pain threshold by vaginal stimulation in women. Pain, 21(4), 357–367. doi.org/10.1016/0304-3959(85)90164-2