Roughly 40 percent of women in the United States report masturbating in a given month, and lifetime rates run considerably higher. A 2019 study of German women found that around 94 percent had masturbated at least once in their lives. The numbers vary by country, age, and how the question is asked, but the short answer is that solo sexual pleasure is common among women across demographics.
What the Numbers Actually Look Like
Survey results depend heavily on where and when the data was collected. A 2015 U.S. survey found that about 40 percent of women had masturbated in the past month. A study of Portuguese women put that figure closer to 29 percent. Among women aged 60 to 75 across four European countries, 27 to 40 percent reported masturbating in the preceding month, depending on the country.
Lifetime prevalence paints a different picture. That German study of women across a wide age range (18 to 69) reported 94 percent had tried it at least once, with most saying they did so one to three times per week. A separate German survey of heterosexual adults placed lifetime prevalence for women at 53 percent, though that study’s methodology and sample were different. The gap between these two figures illustrates how much wording, anonymity, and cultural context shape what people are willing to report.
Why the Numbers Are Probably Low
Researchers consistently note that women are more likely than men to underreport masturbation. This tracks with what’s known as the sexual double standard: women’s sexual behavior tends to be judged more harshly than men’s, and that awareness shapes how women answer survey questions. Some women may participate less due to internalized stigma, while others participate at similar rates but simply don’t disclose it. Either way, most researchers treat published figures as a floor rather than a ceiling.
How Frequency Changes With Age
Younger women generally report higher rates of solo sexual activity, but it doesn’t disappear with age. The data on women aged 60 to 75 showing 27 to 40 percent monthly participation is notable because older women are often left out of sexual health research entirely. Menopause can shift desire and arousal patterns, but a significant share of women continue masturbating well into later life. Frequency tends to peak in the 20s and 30s, then gradually declines, though individual variation is enormous.
How Women Masturbate
Clitoral stimulation is central for most women. In a large study, about 35 percent of women reported reaching orgasm only through clitoral stimulation, while 21 percent could orgasm through vaginal penetration alone. Around 41 percent could orgasm either way. Roughly 4 percent reported being unable to reach orgasm at all. These numbers help explain why most women’s solo techniques focus on external stimulation rather than penetration.
Vibrators are a common tool. A nationally representative U.S. study found that 52.5 percent of women had used a vibrator at some point, whether during solo play or with a partner. Vibrator use correlated with positive sexual health outcomes in that research rather than any negative effects.
Physical Benefits
Orgasm triggers the release of dopamine and oxytocin, two hormones that boost mood and counteract cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. That hormonal shift is part of why masturbation can improve sleep. The muscle contractions involved in orgasm also help relieve menstrual cramps for some women, offering a drug-free option for period pain. Beyond these specific effects, regular masturbation helps women learn what feels good, which often translates into better communication and satisfaction during partnered sex.
The Bigger Picture
The wide range in reported statistics (from 29 percent monthly in Portugal to 94 percent lifetime in Germany) reflects real cultural differences in both behavior and willingness to discuss it. What’s consistent across studies is that masturbation is a normal, common part of women’s sexual lives at every age. The stigma that makes these numbers hard to pin down is the same stigma that makes many women hesitant to explore or talk about solo pleasure, even though the physical and emotional benefits are well documented.