Three letters could be the key to maintaining a healthy prostate: S-E.
Researchers have found that ejaculating more often, whether it’s during masturbation or sex, could reduce your risk of cancerous prostate. As if sex was in need of any more selling points!
Before you take the plunge in the name of… , ahem, health, let’s look into the claims made by urologist Brad Gill MD, MS.
Does more sex help your prostate?
The effects of sex or ejaculation on prostate health are still “a question mark,” says Dr. Gill. However, recent studies suggest that there may be a benefit.
In a 2016 study, men who performed ejaculations at least 21 times each month had a 20% lower risk of prostate carcinoma than those who performed the act four to seven time per month.
This research included almost 32,000 men who self-reported their ejaculation patterns over a period of nearly 20 years. The study built on the findings of a 2004 research that started to change the way people thought about sex in relation to prostate cancer risk.
It was believed that hormone stimulation could increase the risk of prostate cancer. (Thankfully, since then multiple studies have cast doubt on this theory!)
Can frequent ejaculation cause prostate problems?
The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive organs. The prostate is located at the junction between the urinary and reproductive tracts. It helps guide sperm along its ejaculation path. It’s essentially where the ejaculatory canals empty into urethra to allow semen and sperm to be projected from the urethra during ejaculation.
This background is important to understand what’s known as the “prostate-stagnation hypothesis.”
According to this theory, carcinogens build up naturally in the prostate. The theoretical risk of prostate carcinoma increases as they accumulate. What is the solution? It appears that ejaculation can remove these carcinogens, lowering your cancer risk.
In 2018, a study found that there may be biological connections between frequent ejaculation and prostate cancer development .
Does sex reduce prostate enlargement in men?
It is unlikely that sex will protect the prostate. benign prostate hyperplasia is an age-related condition that cannot be reversed by ejaculating more frequently.
Dr. Gill explains that “certain parts of your body continue to grow with age, and the prostate will be one of them.” This helps explain why BPH affects 90% of men with a prostatic gland, making it the commonest prostate problem.
Benefits of sex, ejaculation and other sexual activities
The power of an Orgasm is not just limited to sex or the prostate. Dr. Gill says that sex is a part of everyday life. If you ask doctors who specialize in cardiovascular health, they will tell you that sex is a good cardiovascular activity.
The following are other health benefits that sex or ejaculation can provide:
- Lowering stress. During ejaculation your body releases dopamine which is a feel-good chemical that increases feelings of relaxation and happiness.
- Burning calories. Research shows that can burn up to 100 calories during sex. It’s also nice to work out with a buddy.
- Boosting your immune system. Researchers have found that those who have sex at least once or twice per week have levels of antibodies that prevent illness.
- Reducing Pain. The endorphins that are released during sexual activity act as a pain reliever. Research shows that sex can actually help reduce headaches and migraines.
Final Thoughts
More sex is not a guarantee that you will avoid prostate cancer. Nearly one out of eight people who have a prostate are diagnosed with prostate carcinoma at some point in their lives.
Recent research has shown that more frequent sex and ejaculation may have some benefits.
Dr. Gill says, “Use the information for your own health.”
For more information on Dr. Gill’s views, you can listen to “Talking about Prostate Health” in the Health Essentials Podcast. New episodes of Health Essentials Podcast will be available every Wednesday.
