What is ‘Menstrubation’ and Could it Be Your Answer to  Painful Periods?

Ask most women, and they’ll tell you that periods suck. There’s the bloating, the skin breakouts, the chocolate and carb cravings and of course the cramps to deal with. It’s certainly not a fun time for many of us…but what if we told you it could be?

That’s right. Let’s talk about menstrubation – and no, that’s not a typo! It’s a clever amalgamation of two words you are likely already familiar with, menstruation and masturbation and it could be your answer to relieving painful period cramps. The truth is, if you aren’t already ‘paddling the pink canoe’, ‘polishing the pearl’, or ‘flicking the bean’ (aka masturbating) during your period, what we tell you next may make you reconsider!

The Menstrubation Study

In May 2020, Womanizer and Lunette launched the Menstrubation Study – a global clinical study to determine whether masturbation can help ease period pains. A total of 486 people took part in the study which was conducted in collaboration with Dr Jones, clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and head researcher, who reviewed and validated the results. During a three-month period, the study participants were asked to refrain from taking pain medications for their menstrual symptoms and masturbate instead.

The study found that not only was regular masturbation effective at reducing cramps, it also decreased other unpleasant symptoms such as mental restlessness, breast pain, pain in the abdomen, lower back and inner thighs, bloating, need for rest and the need for heat to control the pain.

The results showed that:

• 90% would recommend masturbation to combat period pain to a friend
• 85% planned to uphold their masturbation routine to combat period pains
• 70% agreed that regular masturbation had an impact on their period pains

How Can Masturbating During Your Period Help Alleviate Pain?

Johanna Rief, Head of Sexual Empowerment at Womanizer, explains: “During menstruation, the uterus contracts spasmodically to shed the lining of the womb that built up over the month for a possible pregnancy. This causes cramps. The contractions of the uterus are also controlled by the hormone prostaglandins. This hormone is a pain messenger and is also involved in inflammation, for example. The higher the levels of prostaglandins, the stronger the period pain can be.”

“Following orgasm, a number of hormones are released, including dopamine which reduces stress and activates an inner bliss. As a result, other physical processes take a back seat. This feels like pain relief. Furthermore, the metabolism and blood circulation are stimulated. Both counteract pain. Finally, during orgasm, the muscles contract and relax, which can relieve painful cramps. While these chemical processes are strongest during and after orgasm, they also take place during masturbation – just in a slightly less intense form.”

Clitoral Focused Sex Toys Perfect for Use During Your Period

Many women have been fed the lie that we can’t or shouldn’t be sexual during our period.  Menstruation and masturbation are a perfectly normal part of the human experience, and we shouldn’t feel shameful about either. It’s your body, so you get to decide whether masturbation is something you’d like to engage in, or not.

Adelaide company Sweet Cherry Pie is passionate about empowering women to take their pleasure into their own hands and get to know their body better. Their range of sex toys, which encourage women to explore what feels good for them either during solo or partnered sex, come discreetly and beautifully packaged.

“It’s time we acknowledged that masturbation is a powerful form of self-care, that sadly many women still feel is their dirty little secret,” explains the Sweet Cherry Pie marketing team. “We want women to feel worthy of self-love from the moment they open our gorgeously wrapped toys, and confident to explore their own pleasure.”

Some favourites from the Sweet Cherry Pie range include:

Zena

Did you know that there are around 8,000 nerve endings in the clitoris, (which incidentally is twice as many as there are in a penis?) And Zena is here to help you discover and arouse every last one of them! After all, according to a recent study in the Journal of Sex andMarital Therapy, 81.6% of us don’t orgasm from intercourse alone, and need additional clitoral stimulation. So, if you want better orgasms, it’s time to get to know your clitorus a whole lot better!

Whether you have long recognised self-pleasure as a powerful act of self-care, or are newly getting acquainted with your body and what feels good to you, the Zena clitoral stimulator will make a great addition to your wellness toolbox. Delivering 7 different frequency pattern modes, and 5 levels of intensity straight to your pleasure-centre, Zena could be your next go-to for stress-busting, toe-curling, sheet-grabbing orgasms.

Scout

According to a recent study when it comes to giving and receiving oral sex, between heterosexual couples, there is a very noticeable gender divide. Somewhat hugely unfairly, women report giving oral sex much more often, and men agree that they receive it more often! If this rings true for you, fear not-Scout is here to even the score because…hello…a whopping 90.9% of us enjoy cunnilingus, and a further 48.6% get off on anilingus! So, if you need more tongue in your life, adding Scout to your sexual wellness toolbox is a no-brainer!

Made from body safe silicone and high-quality ABS, Scout offers 10 incredible intensity levels to make your self-care sesh one to remember, every single time!

Is it time you took pleasure into your own hands? Head over to the Sweet Cherry Pie website to check out their entire range.

Right now, to celebrate their launch, Sweet Cherry Pie are offering 10% off when you use code NEWVIBRATIONS at checkout.

Looking for other ways to stay in touch? Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know about special offers, new products and the newest sexual wellness research.