Doctor Answers: Does Ejaculation Help Prostatitis?

If you’re concerned about maintaining optimal prostate health, you may have come across research suggesting that ejaculating 20 times a month or more can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by up to 20%. Researchers believe that regular ejaculation clears the prostate of debris and substances that could otherwise contribute to cancer development and the formation of prostate calculi (small stones that clog the prostate ducts). 

We sat down with Dr. Parra, an expert in prostate health who has thoroughly reviewed the latest studies and evidence on the question “Does ejaculation help prostatitis?” to answer your questions in an interview-style format. Dr. Parra’s insights are backed by comprehensive research and clinical studies, ensuring the information shared here is both reliable and informative.

Q: What is prostate inflammation?

Dr. Parra answers: Prostate inflammation, also known as prostatitis, is essentially a localized inflammatory response within the prostate gland. It’s a common condition, affecting between 5% to 10% of men at some point in their lives. There are several types of prostatitis:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)
• Asymptomatic prostatitis, which is even more common because it often goes undetected due to the lack of symptoms.
  

Symptomatic prostatitis can result in frequent urination, prostatodynia (prostate pain), painful ejaculation, sexual dysfunction, and even painful defecation. The symptoms can vary in severity—ranging from mild to severe—and may last for a few days or extend over several months.

Interestingly, prostatitis is more common in younger, sexually active men than conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer, which makes understanding its prevention and management particularly important.

Q: What causes prostatitis?

Dr. Parra answers: Prostatitis typically occurs when bacteria from the urinary tract enter the prostate, triggering inflammation. This infection usually begins in the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the bladder—and can be initiated by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, bacteria are not the only culprits. Prostatitis can also be triggered by:

• The use of a urinary catheter
• A prostate biopsy

Or, in some cases, there may be no identifiable cause at all (idiopathic prostatitis), making it challenging for doctors to pinpoint the exact source.

Q: Can prostatitis be caused by not ejaculating?

Dr. Parra: Although studies have shown that ejaculating more than 20 times per month can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 20%, this doesn’t necessarily mean that not ejaculating directly causes prostatitis. Not having the protective factor of ejaculation on its own does not trigger the disease. In fact, evidence suggests that a higher frequency of ejaculation is associated with a lower risk of developing prostatitis. 

Conversely, an active sexual life is sometimes considered a risk factor for prostatitis due to the increased possibility of sexually transmitted infections. Yet, if safe sex is practiced consistently—whether through a monogamous relationship or regular masturbation—this risk can be mitigated and may even serve as a protective factor against prostate inflammation.

Q: Does ejaculation help prostate inflammation?

Dr. Parra answers: Yes, substantial evidence suggests that ejaculation can be beneficial in managing and even preventing prostate inflammation. Research, including a study highlighted by the Harvard School of Public Health, indicates that regular ejaculation helps clear the prostate of substances that might otherwise lead to cancer or the formation of prostate calculi. We can envision the process as a mechanical flushing out of stagnant substances in prostatic fluid, which accumulates inflammatory proteins, cellular debris, and microcalcifications that remain if we don’t ejaculate. Regular emptying maintains a healthy microenvironment, similar to how appropriate liquid intake improves urinary flow and prevents bladder infections.

The act of ejaculation contracts the smooth muscle around the prostate, extracting and draining its contents. It is not merely a process of releasing sperm. Beyond that, there exists a more complex microenvironment that relies on a physiological act continually prompted by our impulses to keep the area free of debris. Moreover, according to this proposition, known as the prostate stagnation hypothesis, when prostatic fluid remains stagnant, it can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth and inflammation. By ejaculating regularly, these substances are eliminated, reducing the risk of prostatitis. This contrasts with another mechanism that studies suggest may contribute to many cases of prostatitis: intraprostatic urine reflux. Instead of flushing out debris, reflux draws in liquid and urethral microorganisms that may induce a proinflammatory state or colonize the prostate, leading to bacterial prostatitis.

Historical studies support the idea that flushing out prostatic fluid is essential for maintaining a healthier prostatic environment. For example, a 1999 study published in the International Journal of Urology involved 34 single male patients with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis who, for religious reasons, had abstained from extramarital intercourse and masturbation. When they were encouraged to masturbate at least twice a week and re-evaluated six months later, 88% of the 18 compliant patients experienced significant improvement or complete relief of their symptoms. Thus, we can conclude that ejaculation not only flushes out microorganisms but also acts like a reset button for pelvic circulation and nerve sensitivity, relieving pressure on compressed nerves and reducing the incidence of non-bacterial prostatitis.

More recently, a 2020 study involving 685 male participants found that those with a higher ejaculation frequency reported both a lower incidence and decreased severity of prostatitis symptoms. Rather than viewing ejaculation as a temporary solution to the problem, consider its cumulative protective effects. More frequent ejaculation helps prevent the prostate ducts from becoming clogged with thickened secretions, thereby reducing the long-term risk of prostatic inflammation, which also lowers the risk of other prostate-related conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, according to various studies.

Overall, the evidence indicates that regular ejaculation can not only help manage existing prostatitis but also lower the likelihood of developing it in the future, and may even aid in preventing other prostatic conditions, such as BPH and cancer.

Q: Can ejaculation make prostatitis worse?

Dr. Parra answers: Based on the available evidence, ejaculation does not worsen prostatitis. On the contrary, higher ejaculatory frequency has been associated with symptomatic relief in patients suffering from prostatitis. While some discussions mention “exhaustive” or “overuse” prostatitis—referring to potential irritation from excessive ejaculation—reaching such an extreme is highly unlikely. For most men, ejaculating up to about 20 times a month is unlikely to overwork the prostate.

However, every case is unique. Some patients with prostatitis may experience significant pain after ejaculation and might choose to refrain from sexual activity until their symptoms subside. It is always best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine what is appropriate for your individual situation. Additionally, practicing safe sex is crucial, as sexually transmitted infections can exacerbate prostatitis, particularly in the presence of prostate calculi or stagnant prostatic fluid.

Q: How can one calm prostate inflammation?

Dr. Parra answers: While regular ejaculation appears to play a supportive role in reducing prostate inflammation, it is not a stand-alone treatment. In most cases, managing prostatitis effectively may require antibiotic therapy to address any underlying bacterial infections. Many men delay seeking medical care for chronic prostatitis because the symptoms might initially seem minor, but early intervention is important to prevent the condition from worsening over time.

Ben’s Natural Prostatitis Treatment: Prostate Healer

We formulated Prostate Healer to effectively combat prostatitis and BPH, protect bladder health, and provide symptomatic relief from urinary tract infections, urgency, frequency, and nocturia.

Prostate Healer is a blend of modern science and holistic healing. We’ve taken a 5,000 year old Ayurvedic recipe for prostate health and made it available for the men of today. 

It works on the prostate, kidney, and bladder simultaneously, coaxing cells gently to resume normal function. So, by this action, you’re fighting against prostatitis and BPH.

If you’re like many men that use the formula, you’ll see a reduction in the number of times you get up to go to the bathroom to urinate. Plus, you’ll see an improvement in the flow of your urine.

FAQs on Ejaculation Effects on Prostatitis 

Q: What lifestyle modifications can further support prostate health aside from regular ejaculation?

Dr. Parra answers: Various lifestyle modifications can increase the likelihood of prostatitis, even without the presence of an infectious agent. A study published in the journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases highlights nightshift work, high stress levels, smoking, alcohol consumption, an unbalanced diet, insufficient water intake, and the habits of holding urine and delaying ejaculation as potential risk factors for chronic prostatitis.

The researchers also mentioned that caffeinated drinks, sedentary lifestyles, and lower water intake were linked to more severe symptoms in these patients. This is why many professionals recommend maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, exercising, managing mental health, and avoiding certain harmful habits to support prostate health.

Dietary adjustments should include more anti-inflammatory foods, especially tomatoes and other sources of lycopene. Patients should drink enough water to decrease the incidence of urinary tract infections, which can sometimes trigger prostatitis, and limit spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, as they are the most common bladder irritants.

Regular exercise is essential, and it is advisable to avoid a sedentary lifestyle; furthermore, it is particularly beneficial to consider pelvic floor therapy, including Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help alleviate pelvic floor tension and may be beneficial for patients with chronic prostatitis. Together, these recommendations can help you maintain a healthy prostatic environment and control the symptoms if you already have a prostate-related problem.

Q: Does the type of sexual activity (intercourse versus masturbation) influence prostate benefits?

Dr. Parra answers: The studies referenced throughout the article typically focus on ejaculatory frequency, encompassing both forms of sexual activity. Some specifically address masturbation, as it serves as a reliable method to manage and encourage adherence, relying solely on the individual. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that intercourse offers any advantage over masturbation in terms of prostate health benefits. Both methods have the same impact on the prostate.

However, it is important to highlight that some studies yield results that apparently contradict the notion that a higher ejaculatory frequency is associated with a lower incidence of prostatitis. Sometimes, more frequent sexual encounters may increase the risk, but only when intercourse is unprotected. Thus, if you choose intercourse over masturbation, ensure that all sexual encounters are protected, especially if you’re engaging in anal sexual activity or have multiple partners. Remember that a higher ejaculatory frequency is associated with better prostatic health, but unprotected sex is still considered a risk factor for prostatitis. 

Q: How do age and hormonal changes affect the benefits of ejaculation on the prostate?

Dr. Parra answers: Ejaculation is not solely a mechanical event in the prostate; it also involves alterations in various metabolic pathways, particularly those related to sexual hormones. Given that androgens are intricately linked to prostate health, there is a clear connection between the hormonal changes following ejaculation and the benefits for the prostate.

A study published in the journal Cancers closely examined the mechanisms behind the reduction of prostate cancer risk associated with higher ejaculatory frequency. It highlighted significant changes in circulating testosterone levels and a modulation of androgen receptors in the prostate that may decrease cancer incidence. In animal models, there is a clear decline in androgen receptor activity following multiple ejaculations, which also occurs in the brain and contributes to sexual satiation. However, in the prostate, reduced androgen receptor activity may help mitigate the effects of testosterone and DHT on prostate growth and proliferation.

These changes benefit seniors who have declining testosterone levels and experience an increase in their androgen receptors due to a feedback mechanism. This age-dependent increase in androgen receptors contributes to prostatic growth in benign prostatic hyperplasia, as DHT activates more receptors than normal in the prostate, promoting cell proliferation in areas with higher receptor expression. Therefore, a decrease in androgen receptors, even if testosterone levels return to baseline 10 minutes after ejaculation, is advantageous for these patients, enhancing the prostatic environment while lowering hormonal risks that may lead to additional prostatic-related issues.

Q: How might underlying health conditions modify the benefits of ejaculation on prostate health?

Dr. Parra answers: Yes, depending on your current health status, the benefits of ejaculation can be modified accordingly. In patients with metabolic disorders, the benefits of ejaculation may be outweighed by the risk factors associated with the disease. In patients with cardiovascular issues, blood flow problems and current medications may reduce erectile function and exacerbate stagnation issues.

For instance, studies indicate that diabetes is linked to issues within the immune system and an increased risk of infection. These patients are susceptible to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and bacterial prostatitis. Ejaculation may still provide benefits for these patients, but they need antibiotics for active infections. Furthermore, individuals with diabetes may experience neuropathy, which can hinder the proper drainage of prostate fluid.

Patients with obesity often experience estrogen dominance, particularly in older age. Excess fat converts testosterone into estrogen, leading to lower testosterone levels, increased androgen receptor activity, and heightened DHT signaling in the prostate, which can diminish the protective effects of ejaculation. Additionally, visceral fat may elevate pelvic pressure, counteracting the benefits of ejaculation and potentially exacerbating symptoms of prostate inflammation.

Patients with hypertension can also experience changes in the benefits of ejaculation, particularly due to poor circulation, which may worsen prostate stagnation. Sometimes, ejaculation does not resolve severe vascular disease. Furthermore, even if it does, patients with hypertension who are taking beta-blockers may experience erectile dysfunction and reduced ejaculation frequency.

Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and ejaculation does not serve as such. Results can differ from one person to another, based on their habits, health status, age, and numerous other factors. While the alternative is worth exploring, it does not replace medical advice in any manner.

Conclusion

Prostatitis is not contagious, and when practiced in moderation, ejaculation appears to be a beneficial component of both preventing and managing prostate inflammation. Research consistently shows that patients with a higher frequency of ejaculation—whether through sexual intercourse or masturbation—experience improvement in prostatitis symptoms.

That said, prostatitis can also be triggered by sexually transmitted infections, so maintaining a safe sexual practice is key. Lifestyle factors are critical in reducing the overall incidence of prostatitis, and while ejaculation can serve as a protective factor, it should be part of a comprehensive approach to prostate health.

Before making any decisions regarding your sexual health or treatment options, please consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

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