Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/m-gucci
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Health
Poppy Bilderbeck
A chief doctor has weighed in on studies suggesting it's 'possible' that ejaculating helps prevent prostate cancer.
Chief of urology at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, Ryan P. Dorin, has weighed in on several studies dating all the way back to 2004—yes, that was really 21 years ago. Feel old yet?
The studies all suggest 'sex and masturbation may have a protective effect against prostate cancer'.
But what does the doctor think and how many times do you really have to ejaculate in order for these 'protective' measures to really have any kind of significant impact?
Hartford Healthcare at The Hospital of Central Connecticut details Dr Dorin's thoughts on the studies, the expert noting 'more research' is ultimately needed before anything is said for 'certain'.
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However, he draws on a 2016 study which 'interviewed men who’d previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had prostate surgery'.
"Those who said they ejaculated more than 21 times per month had a lower risk of cancer recurrence than those who checked the box for four-seven times," the site reports.
Dr Dorin argues it's 'still up for debate' how many times you really have to ejaculate in order to reap the benefits.
And when it comes to the best form of ejaculation? Well, the doctor reckons how you ejaculate ultimately 'doesn't seem as important' as 'how much'.
Although, Dr Dorin theorized 'if more frequent ejaculation does protect against prostate cancer, it probably applies equally to sexual intercourse and masturbation'.
But what does ejaculating really do that can supposedly help prevent prostate cancer?
Dr Dorin explains: "When men ejaculate, the prostate gland releases fluid that can potentially flush out toxins from the prostate gland.
"It’s possible that doing this more regularly helps keep cancer-causing substances at bay too."
Hartford Healthcare adds sexual activity also 'helps improve blood flow to the prostate gland'—blood which 'delivers oxygen and nutrients, while removing waste products'.
"Keeping it moving is key for a healthy prostate—and could be a key to reducing cancer risk too," it notes.
Now, before using this as an excuse to scurry off to knock one out in the nearest private place, you can also try to keep prostate cancer at bay by ensuring you're eating healthily, regularly exercising, not smoking or drinking as much alcohol, and making sure to attend check-ups with your doctor.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.