Does frequent ejaculation reduce the risk of prostate cancer?
Published :
2023-05-10 14:11:39
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There is exciting news about prostate cancer. If you ejaculate frequently, your risk of getting prostate cancer can be reduced. How often is it frequent? A Harvard Medical School study says 21 times a month. A similar Australian study points to seven times a week.
But there's a catch: a Trusted Source study suggests it's only an effective preventative measure in men aged 50 and over.
What the research says
Steps to reduce your risk of cancer usually include many things you should not do. So it might be good news to know that something many men find pleasurable can help reduce their risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers don't understand exactly why frequent ejaculation can provide protection against prostate cancer. One theory is that ejaculation rids the prostate of cancer-causing materials, infection, and matter that can cause inflammation.
Despite strong evidence in favor of frequent ejaculation, the theory remains controversial. And there are conflicting findings. The biggest controversy regarding these studies is about the age at which ejaculation occurs.
A 2008 study determined that men were more likely to develop prostate cancer if they were very sexually active in their twenties and thirties. The study also found no conclusive evidence that masturbation poses a greater risk than intercourse.
The Harvard study did not support the age-related findings of the 2008 study. It found no increased risk of prostate cancer related to age of ejaculation, although it did show that the benefits increase as a man ages. The Australian Trusted Source study demonstrated a reduced risk of prostate cancer if frequent ejaculation occurred during young adulthood.
Ejaculation also does not appear to provide protection against advanced or aggressive prostate cancer. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between prostate cancer and ejaculation.
How low is your risk?
An 18-year Harvard study of nearly 30,000 healthcare professionals determined that the risk of prostate cancer was reduced by 20% for men who ejaculated 21 times a month, compared to men who ejaculated four to seven times a month. A similar Australian study found that the risk was reduced by 36% when men ejaculated seven times a week.
Are you at risk for prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer men get. Skin cancer is the most common cancer. In the United States, one in seven men will have prostate cancer at some point in their lives. The following factors affect the risk of getting prostate cancer:
- Age: Men over 50 are at increased risk of prostate cancer
- Race: Prostate cancer is more common among African-American men
- genetics: your risk is higher if a close relative has a history of prostate cancer
- weight: obesity may increase the risk of more advanced prostate cancer
- Activity level: Physical inactivity has been shown to increase risk in some men
- diet: a diet high in animal fat and dairy and low in fiber, fruits and vegetables can increase your risk
- height: tall men may be more likely to develop prostate cancer
- Chemical exposure: Chemical exposure increases the risk of developing prostate cancer.
You may also be at increased risk if you have had sex with 30 or more people or if you have a sexually transmitted disease. This could be because of your sexual habits. Alternatively, you may have a stronger sex drive due to higher levels of male hormones, which could be a risk factor.
Ways to reduce your risk
The causes of prostate cancer are not known. But there is evidence that a healthy diet and lifestyle can provide some protection. The steps you can take include:
reduces the intake of red meat, animal fats and dairy fats;
add more fruits and vegetables to your diet;
in men with prostate cancer, taking aspirin regularly can slow the progression of the disease.