Every month, many women and girls likely type the same question into a search bar: how to reduce period pain? Some choose painkillers, others turn to heat, supplements, or rest. But there’s another natural mechanism that’s talked about far less often — orgasm during menstruation.
Can orgasm really help ease menstrual pain? Is this a myth, or does it have a real physiological basis?
Why Do Periods Hurt? The Role of Prostaglandins
Menstrual pain is most commonly caused by increased production of prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that:
- intensify uterine contractions
- reduce blood flow to the uterus
- trigger spasms
- activate an inflammatory response
The higher their levels, the stronger the uterine contractions — and the more intense the pain. This is what causes cramp-like sensations in the lower abdomen, pulling pain, or even overall weakness.
To understand whether orgasm during menstruation can help, we need to look at how it affects these processes.
Orgasm During Your Period: Is It the Same as Intercourse?
It’s important to be clear: orgasm is not the same as sexual intercourse.
From a scientific perspective, what matters is the hormonal and nervous system response that occurs during orgasm — not whether it happens through penetrative sex or masturbation during your period.
This means that if sex during menstruation isn’t an option for personal, emotional, or religious reasons, it’s still possible to experience the potential pain-relieving effects of orgasm without intercourse.
How Does Orgasm Affect Hormones and Pain Perception?
During orgasm, the brain’s reward system is activated. Several important hormones and neurotransmitters are released:
- Endorphins — natural opioids that reduce pain perception
- Oxytocin — promotes relaxation, calms the nervous system, and dampens pain signals
- Dopamine — improves mood and emotional well-being
This combination can raise the pain threshold, meaning the same pain stimulus feels less intense.
Put simply, the body activates its own natural pain-relief mechanism.
The Effect of Orgasm on Muscles and Blood Flow
During orgasm, the uterus and pelvic floor muscles contract rhythmically, followed by deep relaxation.
This contraction–relaxation cycle may:
- reduce prostaglandin-related muscle tension
- improve blood flow in the pelvic area
Better circulation means better oxygen delivery to tissues, which can reduce spasms linked to restricted blood flow. This is a real physiological effect.
What Does Research Say About Orgasm During Menstruation?
In 1985, one of the earliest small-scale studies (20 women) conducted at Rutgers University found that pain tolerance increased significantly after orgasm — in some cases by more than 100%. In other words, after orgasm, the body was able to tolerate much stronger pain than usual. If this mechanism works for other types of pain, it’s reasonable to ask whether it might help during menstruation as well.
In 2020, a self-reported study called “Menstrubation” included 486 women. Over three months, participants chose masturbation instead of painkillers during their periods.
Results showed:
- average pain intensity decreased from 6.7 to 5.4
- pain frequency dropped from 7.4 to 4.6
- 90% would recommend this method to others
- 85% planned to continue the practice
In 2023, the so-called Theo Mei Technique was introduced — a method involving several orgasms experienced in sequence at specific intervals. A small pilot study with 46 women found that for some participants:
- menstrual pain disappeared completely
- the effect lasted 7–10 hours
- some stopped using pain medication
However, due to the small sample size, these results should be interpreted with caution. Still, the direction is clear: orgasm may be one natural way to help reduce period pain.
How to Experience Orgasm During Your Period Without Intercourse
If sex during your period doesn’t feel right for you, orgasm is still possible.
It can be reached:
- through external clitoral stimulation
- through self-exploration
- without a partner or intercourse
- without pressure or expectations
What matters most is that it’s your choice. Your body. Your boundaries.
Sex During Your Period: Is It Really a No?
Does Orgasm Help Only During Menstruation?
Of course, orgasm can be beneficial beyond period pain.
Regular orgasms are associated with:
- improved emotional well-being
- lower stress levels
- better sleep quality
- stronger pelvic floor muscles
- a deeper connection with your body
This isn’t a miracle cure and doesn’t replace medical care for severe or pathological pain. But as a natural way to ease menstrual discomfort, orgasm has a clear physiological foundation.
If you’re looking for natural ways to reduce period pain, orgasm may be one option worth understanding and exploring — at your own pace, while listening to your body.
Would you try it?
The content was reviewed by obstetrician-gynecologist
Prof. Dr. Kristina Jariene.