My advice is to get another doctor. Since when did masturbation become a cure for vaginal dryness? I’m not a medical doctor, but unless you’re not telling me something about your condition, you were given bad advice, and I seriously wonder about this doctor’s motives. First of all, you say that you are having the “usual” problems for a woman of 42. I assume you’re referring to the vaginal dryness that can affect women after menopause, but the average age for women to be undergoing menopause is around 50, not their early 40s. There is a stage called peri-menopause that creates some symptoms, but vaginal dryness is not the norm. It may happen, but again even if it did, masturbation wouldn’t be the cure. A woman who is sexually aroused will secrete lubrication, but unless you are not sexually experienced, you already know that. But it’s not a permanent lubrication. If your vaginal area is dry, you should use an artificial lubricant. Which one? Your doctor should advise you, but not this one. So I say start from scratch. Get yourself another doctor and if this doctor also tells you to start masturbating, then please let me know.