A US study of women over 60 found that frequent sex toy use during masturbation was strongly associated with higher orgasm frequency.
A study published in Menopause examined the prevalence of sex toy use, masturbation, and partnered sexual activity among U.S. women aged 60 years and older, highlighting “a new study specifically investigated sex toy use during partnered sex and masturbation in older adult women," according to The Menopause Society.
The study used a demographically representative national sample of 3,001 women, most of whom were aged 60 to 69 years (67.1%).
Use of sex toys during masturbation was common. Among women who reported masturbating in the past year, 56.4% used sex toys at least rarely, and 46.4% used them almost always or always. External vibrators (64.4%) and penetrative toys (44.7%) were the most commonly used products.
The study notes that “participants reported much greater use of sex toys during masturbation than during sex with a partner.”
Orgasm was frequent in the masturbation subsample. Women who almost always or always used sex toys were more likely to report reaching orgasm almost always or always compared with lower-frequency users (83.8% vs 75.3% and 74.3%).
In contrast to masturbation, partnered sex involved less frequent use of sex toys. Among the 20.9% of women who had partnered sex in the last year, 38.7% reported using sex toys at least rarely, and only 5.1% reported using them almost always or always. External vibrators (62.4%) and penetrative toys (47.9%) remained the most common items.
A trend was observed toward increased orgasm frequency with more frequent sex toy use during partnered sex, though the association did not reach statistical significance (P = .053).
In the masturbation subsample, women who used sex toys—whether frequently or occasionally—were more likely to desire more sexual activity than those who never used them (56.1% and 49.4% vs 41.2%).
No significant relationship between sex toy use and desire was found in the partnered sex subsample.
The study also notes broader health considerations, stating that older adults may experience “a number of positive health outcomes that may be related to masturbation,” including evidence linking sexual expression with improved cognitive function.
Monica Christmas, MD, associate medical director for The Menopause Society, emphasized the importance of clinician engagement.
"Lack of understanding of female anatomy, the sexual response cycle, and underlying factors resulting in orgasm is common among both older and younger women," said Christmas. "The physical and mental benefits of fulfilling sexual function are well known. By initiating conversations around sexuality in routine healthcare encounters, health care professionals can destigmatize the topic and provide valuable instruction on how to achieve an orgasm. Many women believe something is wrong with them because they can’t achieve orgasm with a partner, when the truth is that most women don’t reach orgasm with penetrative intercourse alone. This simple knowledge has the potential to significantly impact the high prevalence of female sexual dysfunction."
Study authors similarly conclude that older women “could benefit from information from their health care professionals” about masturbation, sex toys, and orgasm.
This large, nationally representative study demonstrates that sex toy use, particularly during masturbation, is common among women aged 60 years and older and is associated with higher orgasm frequency. These findings underscore the value of routine, destigmatized conversations about sexual function, masturbation, vibrators, and orgasm in menopause care.
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