Sexual activity, orgasm and tampon use are associated with a decreased risk for endometriosis

Meaddough EL, Erika L Meaddough, Erika Meaddough, David L. Olive, Olive DL, Gallup P, Peggy Gallup, Michael J. Perlin, Michael Perlin, Perlin M, Harvey J. Kliman
Gynecologic and obstetric investigation · 2002 · vol. 53(3) , pp. 163–169 · doi:10.1159/000058368 · PMID:12053101 · W2024454691
Observational OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 16 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 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

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

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

Citation neighborhood (2-hop)

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. Outer rings show 2-hop neighbours — papers reached through the immediate citers/citees. [ collapse to 1-hop ]

References (16)

Cited by (16)

Source provenance

europepmc
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