A new study has taken a closer look at whether masturbating in the teenage years connects to how women experience sex later on, and the results suggest there may be a meaningful link. The topic is often treated as something “everyone does,” but the research found that this is not always the case. According to the report, around one in 24 women said they did not masturbate during adolescence, a detail that challenges a lot of assumptions. The findings were shared widely online, including by Unilad.
The research came out of Portugal and was led by Daniela Henriques, Pedro Alexandre Costa, and Ana Carvalheira. Their paper, titled “‘Ménage À Moi’: An Analysis of Factors Associated with Masturbation Among Women,” used an online survey to explore habits, knowledge, and later sexual experiences. The goal was not only to map behavior, but also to see whether early familiarity with anatomy might play a role in adult intimacy. In other words, the team wanted to understand what early self-exploration could mean years down the line.
In total, 469 cisgender women took part, ranging from 18 to 78 years old, with an average age of 27. The vast majority, 96 percent, reported masturbating at some point in their lives. On average, participants said they first started at about 14.1 years old. When it came to current habits, the most common frequency was once a week, reported by roughly a quarter of respondents.
One of the more striking points was how many women felt only moderately informed about their own bodies. About three quarters of the women showed an average or low level of knowledge about female genitals. Even so, the researchers identified a clear relationship between teen masturbation and adult sexual response. Women who said they masturbated more often during adolescence were more likely to experience orgasm during sex with a partner later in life, including orgasms achieved through vaginal penetration.
The authors suggested a straightforward explanation. Masturbation during adolescence may help some women learn how their bodies respond, which can make it easier to communicate preferences and needs as adults. That kind of self-knowledge can translate into more confidence and clearer guidance with partners. While this does not mean one path guarantees a certain outcome, it points to how early experiences can shape comfort and awareness.
The study also noticed a difference between women who grew up in cities and those from rural areas. Participants living in urban environments were more likely to report masturbating, which the researchers linked to factors such as privacy and exposure to more progressive attitudes about sexuality. They concluded that masturbation is influenced by multiple personal and social factors, and that understanding these influences may help reduce stigma. What do you think, does early body awareness matter more than we admit? Share your thoughts in the comments.
