A study has revealed that men who ejaculate less often each month might face a higher risk of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the US and remains the second most common cause of cancer death among men.
The risk increases with age, particularly for men over 65, and is higher among African American men and those of Caribbean African heritage. Researchers have been investigating lifestyle factors that might reduce this risk, including how often men ejaculate.
The Harvard study, which tracked nearly 32,000 men over 18 years, found that men who ejaculated 21 or more times per month had a 20% lower chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those who ejaculated 4 to 7 times monthly.
Published in 2016, the research suggested that frequent ejaculation, whether through sex or masturbation, may protect against prostate cancer, especially less severe types. However, some studies argue that ejaculation frequency itself might not directly affect cancer risk, but rather reflect overall healthier habits.
Experts like Dr. Anne Calvaresi caution that more studies are necessary to fully understand this connection.
