A Link Between Ejaculation and Prostate Cancer?
- A recent study showed that men who ejaculate more frequently can reduce their risk of prostate cancer by up to 33 percent.
- Research showed the optimal frequency of ejaculation is 21 times per month.
- Doctors suggest prioritizing other lifestyle factors to reduce risk: not smoking, maintaining a normal body weight, and getting screened regularly.
"There are a couple of studies that show that more ejaculations are associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer," Dr. Stephen Freedland, faculty physician in the urology division at the Cedars-Sinai Department of Surgery, tells SurvivorNet in a previous interview.
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Given that the prostate is a reproductive organ that produces fluid for the ejaculate, researchers have long wondered about the ways that sexual factors might influence men's risk for developing this kind of cancer. And last year, they got some answers which provided optimistic news for sexually active men. Related: How Daily Masturbation Could Decrease Men's Risk Of Prostate CancerLast year, the journal European Urology published the results of a Harvard University study that looked at that very question. And it found that men who ejaculate frequently throughout adulthood are less likely to eventually get a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Why Might Ejaculating Frequently Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk?
Specifically, the researchers found that men who ejaculate more frequently than a typical man can reduce their risk of prostate cancer by up to 33 percent. According to the study, the optimal frequency of ejaculation is 21 times per month.
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The hypothesis is that regular ejaculations help empty the prostate frequently, which prevents clogging of the ducts in the prostate, which could in turn lead to inflammation. Preventing inflammation would lower cancer risk.
But, Dr. Freedland notes, "Importantly, the studies examined ejaculations whether via sex or masturbation. Thus, we cannot separate those two out from each other."
Should Men Have More Sex in the Name of Reducing Prostate Cancer Risk?
Men who are already sexually active might see plenty of good news in the results. And those who aren't might wonder if they should be having more sex in order to mitigate their prostate cancer risks. So should men prioritize more sex or at least ejaculating 21 times a month for their health?
Well, Dr. Freedland tells SurvivorNet, men can actually benefit by prioritizing other lifestyle matters to boost their health outcomes. "In terms of preventing prostate cancer, there are now compelling data that obesity and smoking are both linked with death from prostate cancer,” he explains. “Similarly, the data seem to suggest benefits for more exercise too. Thus, the best thing men can do is to obtain and maintain a normal body weight, don't smoke, and exercise."
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As well, he explains, men should make it a priority to "talk to their doctor about screening, since we know screening also reduces the risk of dying from prostate cancer."
In other words, men can empower themselves by taking control of the lifestyle factors known to be good for their health whether or not frequent sex is on the menu.
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