Medically CitedIn This Article
It is a topic most women are uncomfortable talking about, and it is also one that is not commonly researched by many health care professionals.
Masturbation is a perfectly normal and natural act, and it is often considered a taboo subject.
While it is rarely discussed, it is defined as a form of autoeroticism and is one of the most common sexual act most women engage in [1].
Masturbation is simply that act of pleasuring yourself, and it is most often performed alone and in complete privacy.
While it is usually perfectly safe to masturbate, some women do complain of abdominal pain and cramps.
Masturbation and Risks
Masturbation is usually considered a safe form of sexual activity for women since it does not include the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or result in pregnancy.
While many women use their hands and fingers to stimulate themselves, a study has shown that an estimated 46 percent of all women use a vibrator or dildo during masturbation, with the majority of them never experiencing any adverse side effects including stomach pains [2].
A small percentage of the women surveyed did complain of problems that included, numbness and tingling in the vagina, minor tears in the vaginal lining, and even minor cases of irritation.
While most of these cases were minor, and the problems repaired themselves over time, some women did suffer from continuing stomach cramps. Women who are experiencing stomach pains after masturbating with a vibrator should consult their health care provider.
Tears and rips in the vaginal lining that could be causing the stomach pains may also indicate another condition as well. One of the more common conditions is known as a hypoestrogenic state which occurs when a woman is breast feeding, or experiencing menopause [3].
Genital lichen sclerosus is another common condition that can also occur in a woman's body and is generally caused by a change in the body's hormonal levels [4].
Both of these conditions can cause the vaginal wall and surrounding tissue to weaken and become susceptible to rips and tears that can occur during masturbation with a vibrator or sexual intercourse.
Other risks women may face when they are masturbating with a dildo or vibrator can include the toy becoming stuck or a rectovaginal fistula which is a painful condition that can occur if the vibrator is left inside the vagina for an extended period.
A health care professional should be immediately consulted if either of these problems occurs.
Along with dildos and vibrators, some women may use other objects while they are masturbating which can cause abdominal pain and other complications.
Some of the common items women use include tapered candles and cucumbers.
While there is nothing wrong with using any of these items during masturbation, there have been instances where they have broken off inside the vaginal canal and become lodged.
Not only can this cause stomach pain, this problem can also cause severe infections and other health risks.
Is Masturbation Safe?
Is Masturbation Safe?
Therapists have been recommending vibrators to their female patients for years as a way to help women learn how to have an orgasm.
Not only is this a relatively private way for women to begin to understand their bodies, but it can also help to improve their relationships.
In the majority of all women, masturbation is completely safe and is a natural way for women to satisfy themselves.
While using the fingers to stimulate the clitoris has less of a risk when it comes to vaginal rips and tears, a woman can still experience an occasional stomach pain.
Some of this can be simply attributed to the contracting and relaxing of the muscles in the cervix and uterus and the pain will disappear over time, other problems can be more complicated.
Abdominal Pain After Masturbation - Conclusion
At some point in her life, almost all women will complain about an occasional stomach ache after masturbating, and it will normally go away after the muscles begin to relax.
In other cases, where the cramps are more severe it could be a sign of a vaginal rip or tear and a health care professional should be consulted. Masturbation is normal and healthy and is almost always safe whether it is with a vibrator or fingers.
Simply by listening to their bodies, most women will be able to tell if their stomach pain is normal or part of an ongoing sexual problem.
4 Sources
We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.
[1] Why is masturbation such a taboo topic?: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/why-is-masturbation-such-a-taboo-topic-20120615-20e0q.html[2] Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: best practice recommendations for choosing and safely using a vibrator: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7678780/
[3] Eckstein N, Pines A, Fisman EZ, Fisch B, Limor R, Vagman I, Barnan R, Ayalon D. The effect of the hypoestrogenic state, induced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, on Doppler-derived parameters of aortic flow. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Oct;77(4):910-2. doi: 10.1210/jcem.77.4.8408464. PMID: 8408464.
[4]Lichen sclerosus: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lichen-sclerosus/symptoms-causes/syc-20374448
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