Sexual Activity, Orgasm and Tampon Use Are Associated with a Decreased Risk for Endometriosis

Erika L Meaddough, Erika Meaddough, David L Olive, Peggy Gallup, Michael J. Perlin, Michael Perlin, Harvey J Kliman
Gynecologic and obstetric investigation · 2002 · vol. 53(3) , pp. 163–169 · doi:10.1159/000058368 · PMID:12053101 · W2024454691
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 16 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-10 ⓘ

This case-control study found that sexual activity, orgasm, and tampon use during menstruation were associated with a decreased risk of endometriosis.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine if sexual behaviors, orgasm, tampon use, and douching during menstruation modify the risk of endometriosis. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted. Subjects (n = 2,012) consisted of members of the Endometriosis Association and friends not affiliated with the organization who completed mailed surveys. Data were analyzed using chi(2), Fisher's exact test, t test, and regression analyses. RESULTS: There was no difference between study groups concerning douching practices. However, cases were less likely than controls to report sometimes or often engaging in sexual behaviors during menstruation (p = 0.002, OR = 1.5), and sexual behaviors during menstruation that included orgasm (p = 0.001, OR = 1.5). Cases were also less likely than controls to report using only tampons (p < 0.0001, OR = 2.6). CONCLUSION: Sexual activity, orgasm, and tampon use during menstruation may confer protection against endometriosis.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Menstrual Hygiene Products Menstruation Orgasm Orgasm Sexual Behavior Adult Case-Control Studies Endometriosis Female Humans Menstrual Hygiene Products Retrospective Studies Therapeutic Irrigation

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (16)

Cited by (16)

Source provenance

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK