French survey reveals masturbation used for stress relief

A 2026 sex report by Adam et Eve, based on a September 2025 survey of 1,056 respondents aged 18 to 65, indicates that masturbation is increasingly used for general well-being rather than just pleasure. While 51% of respondents masturbate primarily for pleasure, 27% seek to feel better, 21% aim to reduce stress, and 18% do so to help with sleep.

Evening is the most popular time for the practice, with 46% choosing to do so before sleep. The report also notes a rise in the use of sex toys, which are used by 20% of all respondents and 40% of women. Although the practice remains more frequent among men, there is an upward trend among women, with 27% reporting masturbating several times a month compared to 21% in 2025.

Additionally, the report references research from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University suggesting that 14% of women use masturbation to alleviate menopause symptoms.