Masturbation is Safe During the First Trimester of Pregnancy
Masturbation is safe throughout pregnancy, including the first trimester, and is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. In fact, research suggests it may be associated with lower risk of complications compared to other forms of sexual activity.
Evidence Supporting Safety
The available evidence demonstrates that sexual activity, including masturbation, does not harm pregnancy outcomes:
Masturbation was consistently associated with lower risk of prematurity across all stages of gestation in a detailed study of 155 pregnant women, with no significant association found between orgasm or sexual experiences and premature labor 1.
Orgasmic patients appeared to have consistently lower percentages of early deliveries, suggesting that sexual satisfaction and orgasm are not harmful during pregnancy 1.
Sexual activity appears safe throughout pregnancy in almost all patients, with no particular method of sexual gratification showing increased risk 1.
Activity Restriction Is Not Recommended
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine explicitly recommends against routine activity restriction during pregnancy, which provides important context:
"Pelvic rest" (which includes restrictions on sexual activity and orgasm) is not routinely recommended and lacks evidence of benefit 2.
Activity restriction, including pelvic rest, has been shown to potentially increase rather than decrease the risk of preterm birth in some studies 2.
The harms of activity restriction include deconditioning, inadequate maternal weight gain, lower infant birth weight, bone loss, and increased risk of thromboembolic events 2.
Common Concerns Are Unfounded
Many women worry unnecessarily about sexual activity during pregnancy:
Approximately 49% of pregnant women worry that sexual intercourse may harm the pregnancy, with concerns about preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes increasing as pregnancy progresses 3.
These concerns are not supported by evidence, as sexual activity including masturbation has not been shown to cause these complications in uncomplicated pregnancies 1.
When to Exercise Caution
While masturbation is generally safe, discuss with your healthcare provider if you have:
- Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)
- Placenta previa or unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Cervical insufficiency or cerclage placement
- Active preterm labor
However, even in these high-risk conditions, the evidence for restricting sexual activity is limited and not routinely recommended 2.