Could Your Sex Life Lower Your PSA And Risk Of Prostate Cancer?

Men’s Health Tip: Make Prostate Health Your 2023 New Year’s Resolution – Lower Your PSA By Having More Sex?

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed amongst men, affecting 1 in 8 men in the United States, according to cancer.org . Prostate cancer can be a difficult diagnosis to receive, and many men may find themselves asking how did this occur? Unfortunately, medical professionals and investigators are uncertain as to what precisely causes prostate cancer. However, it is understood that there are many potential risk factors that could result in prostate cancer, including one’s ethnicity, geographic area, familial history, and age.

While it may appear that many of these risk factors are beyond our ability to influence, a significant study carried out by Harvard researchers in 2016 showed that regular ejaculation may be able to lower the risk of prostate cancer. (NCBI)

 

“Frequent ejaculation may be linked to lowering a man’s PSA and reducing the risk of prostate cancer.”

Scott Gottlieb, BMJ, 2004

 

The fact that frequent ejaculation may aid in the removal of potentially cancer-causing chemicals from the prostate is one explanation for why it may be protective against the disease. Having more sex or even masturbating might be good for your prostate.

Why Prostate Cancer Happens

Prostate cancer, similar to other forms of cancer, is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells. These alterations result in the cells reproducing at a faster rate and having increased longevity. Over time, these abnormal cells accumulate in the prostate, depriving healthy cells of the necessary resources, thus damaging the prostate and potentially spreading to other parts of the body like the bladder.

Contact Us To Discuss Your Prostate Health Concerns. Call (352)633-3267

 

What are prostate cancer risk factors? 

Researchers have found several risk factors that might affect a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer. What are the major risk factors for prostate cancer?

The most common risk factor is age. The older a man is, the greater the chance of getting prostate cancer. Some men are at increased risk for prostate cancer. Men are at increased risk of prostate cancer if they are African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer.

Age: Prostate cancer usually affects men over the age of 40, with the risk increasing rapidly after 50. 

Race/ethnicity:  Studies have shown that prostate cancer develops more often in men of African descent. Afro-Caribbean and Sub-Saharan African men suffer from the highest prostate cancer mortality in the world. In contrast, East, Southeast and South Central Asian men have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.

Geography: Prostate cancer diagnosis rates tend to be highest in more developed countries in the world, such as North America. While the reason for this is unclear, it could partially be explained by access to medical care, including screening and early detection, and lifestyle differences. 

Family history: As with many cancers, prostate cancer seems to also be hereditary. Although most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history of it, having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing the disease. 

When And How To Check For Prostate Cancer

Testing for Prostate cancer can be done with a simple blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a man’s blood. Getting a blood test for PSA and prostate cancer should be a part of a man’s annual physical checkup at a doctor’s office once they reach age 40. It is especially important to get tested if you have symptoms of prostate cancer, such as trouble urinating, pain in your lower back or abdomen, blood in your urine, trouble emptying your bladder, pain when you have sex, or feeling very tired.  Diamond Medical Clinic can help you with your diagnostic blood test needs through our integrative medical services.

Contact Us To Discuss Your Prostate Health Concerns. Call (352)633-3267

Do I Need To See A Urologist To Be Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer?

No, but you should be seen by a doctor right away if you have prostate questions.  Your primary care provider or Urologist can help you with a physical prostate exam. During a prostate exam, the doctor feels the prostate for lumps or bumps, and may order a prostate MRI. During a rectal exam, a doctor can also feel for abnormalities in the prostate. Prostate cancer can be treated with a variety of methods, including medication, surgery, or radiation. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent prostate cancer. 

Prevention and early detection are key, and men should be aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer, which include difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, painful urination, and feeling the need to urinate more often than usual.

I Have Prostate Cancer, Now What?

Once diagnosed with prostate cancer, treatment options may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. A prostate removal surgery called a prostatectomy is the most common treatment option for prostate cancer. Radiation therapy is another common treatment of prostate cancer. Chemotherapy is typically used only in cases of advanced prostate cancer.

After you have had your prostate cancer treatments or a prostatectomy, you can expect to experience erectile dysfunction.  The board-certified medical doctors at Diamond Medical Clinic can help you effectively manage and recover your natural function after prostate cancer treatment.  

Contact Diamond Medical Clinic for ED Treatment – Call (352)633-3267

 

Can more sex actually lower the risk of prostate cancer? 

There is a mounting body of evidence that suggests frequent ejaculation could reduce the chance of prostate cancer. In March 2022, a notable study conducted by Harvard researchers brought the most powerful substantiation to date for this finding. This research study monitored over 30,000 men for almost 20 years, noting how often they ejaculated during their 20s and 40s. The results of this study showed that those who ejaculated more than 20 times per month had a 20% decrease in their risk of prostate cancer compared to those who ejaculated 4-7 times per month. However, the study did not explain why this was the case. Lorelei Mucci, collaborator of the study and director of the Cancer Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention Program at the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, suggested a potential explanation for the results where infrequent ejaculation may cause potential cancer-causing substances to linger in the prostate for longer periods of time.

 It could be advantageous for public health if people reduced their likelihood of contracting this illness by engaging in something as effortless and pleasant as ejaculating. This study suggests that ejaculation frequency and the risk of prostate cancer may be connected. Nonetheless, more research must be undertaken to further understand this relationship. While this discovery is noteworthy, more investigation is vital to comprehend why repeated ejaculation decreases someone’s hazard of prostate cancer. 

Which Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Best For Me

Does shockwave therapy work on the prostate?

 

Shockwave therapy can be a great solution for those with prostate issues like difficulty urinating or ejaculating, or even pelvic pain. This non-invasive, safe treatment uses shockwaves to target the prostate and reduce these symptoms. It does this by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels around the prostate, helping it heal and reducing issues with urination and ejaculation. This can lead to a better sex life, as well as improved pelvic health. Shockwave therapy has also been proven to be effective in treating other prostate conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. In addition to being safe, shockwave therapy is relatively painless and can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, making it a great option for those who don’t want to undergo surgery. So if you’re looking for a non-invasive, safe way to improve your prostate’s health and get back to enjoying a normal sex life, shockwave therapy for the prostate is definitely worth considering.

NOTE: Shockwave Therapy is not intended to treat prostate cancer.  It can work wonders for helping with prevention of prostate inflammation and fix chronic pelvic pain – but we are not saying that extracorporeal shockwave therapy is in any way a cancer treatment. Just wanted to make sure that much was clear. 

Contact Us To Discuss Your Prostate Health And Prostatitis Treatment Questions in The Villages, Call (352)633-3267

 

What We Don’t Know Can Hurt You After All

There is no concrete evidence that frequent ejaculating actually reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Doctors only currently understand their connection. It’s unclear whether masturbation or ejaculation during sex have the same advantages. Some research has found that the makeup of semen is different when ejaculating during sex and masturbating, which could differentially influence a man’s chance of developing prostate cancer. There is disagreement about which decades of life demonstrates the biggest effect.

An Australian study from 2017 showed that there was a lower prostate cancer risk linked to frequent ejaculation for people 30-39 years old, but not for men in their 20s or 40s. (MEDICAL NEWS TODAY)

Ending Prostate Cancer For Men

One of the largest studies on the subject is a 2016 Harvard study on the role of ejaculation in lowering the risk of prostate cancer. While many people are excited with the study’s results, doctors are not necessarily advising that men ejaculate more frequently to prevent prostate cancer, even though there is probably no downside. Instead, it is advised that persons discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors.

“Early detection is key when it comes to any type of cancer, and prostate cancer is no exception.” –Dr Kachi

 

At Diamond Medical Clinic in The Villages, we are proud to offer comprehensive medical scans for over 500 conditions and cancers, including prostate cancer. We believe that regular screenings can help detect prostate cancer early, allowing for more successful treatments and a better prognosis. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to provide the most reliable and cutting-edge scans and imaging services. 

We use the latest technology to ensure that we are able to detect and effectively treat your problems. Our state-of-the-art equipment combined with our experienced team makes us the best choice for anyone looking to detect prostate cancer in its early stages. So if you are concerned about your risk of prostate cancer, come to Diamond Medical Clinic in The Villages for the most reliable and advanced scans available. Get the peace of mind you deserve and get screened today!
Contact Us To Discuss Your Prostate Health Concerns. Call (352)633-3267