With prostate cancer being the second most common cancer for men in the US – beaten only by skin cancer, you’d be well advised to start thinking about your prostate health and the choices that promote it.
While genetic inheritance can affect a man’s risk of prostate cancer and, of course, we have no control over exposure to toxic chemicals and substances that can trigger cancer, what we do have is lifestyle choices.
We’ve already posted numerous articles discussing how factors such as a positive attitude, a healthy diet, exercise, stress management, and healthy social relationships can support prostate health and lower the risk of PCa (prostate cancer). This blog post highlights another aspect that has a more intimate effect on your prostate gland – sex. To be more precise, sexual intercourse or masturbation that leads to an orgasm.
The prostate gland is an important part of the male reproductive system, producing seminal fluid and helping direct sperm on their ejaculation journey. The muscles at the base of the bladder tighten, preventing urine from entering the urethra, while muscles in the prostate contract and push seminal fluid into the urethra to be ejected during a climax.
It seems that frequent ejaculation is good for the prostate (whether alone or with a partner) – and the more frequent, the better.
But before you make a romantic move in the name of ... umm … health … let’s look at how researchers arrived at this conclusion.
A follow-up study showed that men who ejaculated at least twenty-one times a month lowered their risk of prostate cancer by around 20% when compared to those who ejaculated four to seven times a month.
Almost 32,000 men were involved in the research which began in 1992 and spanned almost two decades. The men were asked to complete questionnaires asking about the frequency of ejaculation together with their medical history. All the participants were followed-up until 2010, with assessments of their average ejaculations per month taking place at three time points: ages 20-29, 40-49, and the year before the distribution of the questionnaire ended. Unsurprisingly, ejaculation frequency per month lowered as participants aged.
The study was designed to compensate for men with fewer ejaculations. After taking into account risks such as alcohol use, BMI, sexually transmitted disease, and smoking (and correlating the incidence of those diagnosed with PCa during the period) the findings revealed that men in the higher frequency of ejaculation categories were less frequently diagnosed with prostate cancer.
It should be pointed out that prior to the above study, it was though that more sex may increase the risk of prostate cancer due to hormone stimulation. Several studies have since cast doubt on this theory.
It’s thought that carcinogens gradually build up in the prostate and as they accumulate so the risk of PCa increases. The theory is that ejaculation may sweep away the potentially harmful substances, lowering the risk of cancer.
Unfortunately, the magic of sex can only achieve so much when possibly protecting the prostate. Prostate enlargement (BPH) is a natural outcome of aging that cannot be undone by frequent ejaculation. This explains why BPH is historically evident in up to 90% of men by the time they reach the age of 85, making it one of the most common prostate problems.
While this post has been focused on sex and the prostate, other health benefits of ejaculation include:
Embracing a fulfilling and enjoyable sex life can do wonders for your prostate gland and well-being. From reducing the risk of prostate cancer to promoting better blood circulation and hormonal balance, the benefits are many. However, always remember that a healthy sex life should be a part of a broader focus on overall well-being, including regular check-ups with your doctors, a balance diet, and an active lifestyle.
Here at MINT we offer numerous non-surgical therapies, including prostate artery embolization to treat BPH that commonly occurs when men get older. Why not call us or use our online booking service to schedule a consultation at one of our four convenient locations.
Photo attribution: Image by Freepik
