Let’s talk about something natural, empowering, and totally worth celebrating–female masturbation. Yes, you heard that right! Exploring your body through masturbation is not only a healthy way to experience pleasure, but it also has surprising perks–especially during your period. 

Here’s the thing: many women notice they feel more aroused when menstruating (hello, hormones!) Guess what? Masturbation during your period isn’t just normal, it can be a pathbreaker. It releases feel-good hormones that work wonders for your body, like, reducing stress, boosting your mood, and even easing those pesky cramps.  

I know you’re curious about how it all works. Keep reading to discover why period masturbation is a win for your health, how it can make your period time a little easier, and tips to make it safe and comfortable. Let’s bust some myths and embrace the benefits.  

Is Masturbation a Healthy Practice During Periods? 

Of course, masturbation is healthy, but it’s a personal choice. Some women feel comfortable masturbating during their period, while others might shy away from it due to the bleeding and discomfort. Unfortunately, taboos about female masturbation can condition women to feel shameful doing it. Touching one’s genitals for sexual pleasure is a natural way to understand one’s body. To keep the facts straight, though, female masturbation is a completely safe, natural, and healthy practice during any point of the menstrual cycle. 

There is no medical reason not to masturbate during periods, and many women reported it boosts mood and improves sleep. Masturbating while on your period can actually help alleviate the physical discomfort that comes with menstruation. It’s all about listening to your body and doing what feels good for you. 


Masturbation Benefits During Menstruation

The good news here is that orgasms can lessen menstrual cramps. Masturbating while you’re on your period can help relieve stress, headaches, cramps, joint aches, back pain, and many unpleasant symptoms.

  1. 1. It Brightens Your Mood Instantly: 
  • During masturbation, your body releases hormones that act as natural pain relievers and mood boosters.
  • Orgasm triggers the release of endorphins like Oxytocin, Dopamine, and Serotonin.
    - Oxytocin: known as a love hormone, it promotes relaxation and reduces stress.
    - Dopamine: enhances feelings of pleasure and happiness
    - Serotonin: helps stabilize your mood and improve overall well-being. 
    • These feel-good hormones work together to improve your mood, alleviate menstrual discomfort, and ease period cramps effectively. 

      1. 2. Enjoy Deep, Restful Sleep: 
      • After an orgasm, your body releases hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, which ease your body's tension and create a calming effect. These hormones reduce the level of cortisol (the stress hormone), leaving you in a relaxed, peaceful state that makes it easier to drift off to sleep.
      • Additionally, the release of prolactin—a hormone associated with lactation and stress reduction—is typically triggered after orgasm, contributing to enhanced feelings of relaxation and drowsiness.

      Female masturbation reduces the level of cortisol thus helping you sleep peacefully.


      1. 3. Eases Cramps and Period Pain:
      • When you engage in female masturbation, especially to the point of orgasm, blood flow to the pelvic region increases significantly.
      • Increased blood flow warms the pelvic muscles and softens tension in the surrounding areas.
      • This warming effect helps relax the uterine muscles, making contractions less painful and reducing the overall severity of cramps–similar to the soothing effect of a heating pad. 
      • Additionally, muscle contractions during menstruation create lactic acid and other byproducts, and increased blood flow from masturbation helps flush out these waste products more efficiently, relieving cramping and pain. 

      1. 4. Deepens Your Understanding of Your Body:
      • Female masturbation is a natural way to connect with your body, explore its responses, and discover what brings you pleasure and comfort–particularly during menstruation when your sensitivity can change. 
      • This self-exploration encourages body awareness and comfort with your own anatomy, leading to improved sexual confidence and better communication with partners about what works for you. 
      • Knowing your body’s needs through regular self-care practices like masturbation supports not only physical comfort but also a deeper connection to your own wellness, which is beneficial for overall sexual health. 

      1. 5. Feel Great, Naturally–No Side Effects: 
      • Masturbation is a natural, no-side-effect option for managing menstrual cramps. Regular medications and over-the-counter painkillers during menstruation may cause drowsiness, stomach issues, and other side effects that make you weak. 
      • By stimulating the release of endorphins and promoting better blood flow to the pelvic area, masturbation offers instant relief without the risks of dependency or adverse reactions. It is a gentle and accessible alternative to relieve menstrual cramps. 


      6 Steps to Keep In Mind While Masturbating During Menstruation

      1. 1. Maintain hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before and after to prevent infections, as the cervix is slightly more open during menstruation. 

      2. 2. Use a clean surface: If you’re into sex toys, clean them well before and after use to avoid introducing bacteria. 

      3. 3. Stay comfortable: Use a towel or lay on a surface that you don’t mind getting messy, as your period may increase with arousal. 

      4. 4. Avoid inserting unsuitable objects: Stick to safe, body-friendly toys like silicon-based vibrators or specially designed period toys, or use your fingers to minimize the risk of infection or injury. These toys are made with non-porous, easy-to-clean materials which are safe for your body. 

      5. 5. Listen to your body: If you experience unusual discomfort or increased cramping, stop and give yourself a break. 

      6. 6. Hydrate: As with any physical activity, staying hydrated can help prevent cramps from worsening. 

      Unless you feel awkward and squeamish around blood, there is really no reason to shy away from self-care practices like masturbation during menstruation. It is a great way to ease cramps, boost your mood, and relieve stress, pain, headache, and tension during periods. On top of that, it has zero side effects and many benefits. With proper hygiene and self-awareness, masturbation can be a comforting and relaxing addition to your period self-care routine, allowing you to manage menstrual cramps in a way that feels best for you. Just remember, everybody is different, so go with what feels best for you.


      FAQs
      1. 1. Can I masturbate on my period?

      Yes, you can masturbate on your period unless you feel awkward and sick around blood. It has several benefits and is a completely safe and healthy self-care practice to get on during periods. 

      1. 2. Does having an orgasm help with periods?

      Yes, having an orgasm helps reduce menstrual cramps. The release of hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins acts as natural pain relievers and reduces period stress, and cramps, boosts mood, and improves sleep. 

      1. 3. Can masturbation delay periods?

      No, masturbation doesn’t delay periods. It neither induces your period nor makes it come early. Masturbation is a natural, enjoyable act–sexually stimulating yourself by rubbing or touching your genital areas. It has nothing to do with your menstrual cycle. 

      1. 4. Does female masturbation affect hormones?

      No, female masturbation doesn’t cause hormonal imbalances or affect fertility, women need not have to worry about it. Masturbation, leading to orgasm, releases hormones to relieve menstrual cramps, but it doesn’t affect any hormones or cause any permanent change of hormones.

       

      Sources :
      Healthline - Period Symptoms? Why Masturbating Could Be the Cure-All You Need
      Planned parenthood - Six Reasons Masturbation Is Good for You
      Medical News Today - Can you masturbate on your period?
      Flo - Masturbating During Your Period
      Clue - Masturbating during your period