Frequent Ejaculation Linked to Decreased Prostate Cancer Risk

Men who ejaculate more frequently in adulthood are 19% less likely to develop prostate cancer, according to new research.
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Previous studies had found a link between ejaculation frequency and prostate cancer. However, a long-term study to explore the effects of ejaculation had yet to be conducted.

To further investigate the association, researchers gathered data from 31,925 men who completed questionnaires about ejaculation frequency in the US Health Professionals Follow-up Study from 1992 to 2010.

At baseline, participants reported ejaculation frequency at age 20 to 29 years, age 40 to 49 years, and the year prior to questionnaire distribution.

After an 18-year follow-up, 3839 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Those who reported ejaculating 21 or more times per month had a 19% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who ejaculated 4 to 7 times per month. This reduction was observed in all age groups.

“These findings provide additional evidence of a beneficial role of more frequent ejaculation throughout adult life in the etiology of prostate cancer, particularly for low-risk disease,” researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Rider JR, Wilson KM, Sinnott JA, Kelly RS, Mucci LA, Giovannucci EL. Ejaculation frequency and risk of prostate cancer: Updated results with an additional decade of follow-up [published online March 29, 2016]. Eur Urol. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2016.03.027.