If you deal with erectile dysfunction (ED), chances are you’ll try just about anything to correct it.
From lifestyle changes to medications, there are a number of things you can do to deal with this irritating issue.
One sometimes-used treatment that’s not as commonly spoken about is prostatic massage. But what is it? And does it work?
TL;DR: Benefits of Prostate Massage
Prostate stimulation can clear out your prostatic duct, allowing for excess fluid to be reduced, leading to a release of symptoms and positive prostate health.
This type of therapy may reduce symptoms of an inflamed or enlarged prostate gland and could even help with urine flow and reduce painful ejaculation
What is a Prostatic Massage?
Prostatic massage commonly called prostate milking, this type of treatment is a somewhat uncommon way of treating erectile dysfunction — and certainly not the kind of thing you’d see your standard massage therapists for.
Prostate massage therapy usually involves using a lubricated, gloved finger or a tool, a prostate massager to stimulate the prostate gland carefully and is performed by a urologist, according to a case study published in the journal, Medscape General Medicine.
Unsure where exactly the prostate is? It’s located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). It also produces fluid that makes up a part of semen.
It is sometimes called the male G-spot (or the P-spot!). The spasm you feel when you orgasm is a physiological response to your prostate constricting.
Prostate massage therapy works by increasing blood flow throughout the body, which may make it easier to get and maintain an erection. The massage may also clear out backed-up prostatic fluid in the prostate ducts. We have an article on the 3 best prostate massagers if you'd like to check it out.
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But does prostatic massage actually work to treat erectile dysfunction? Some people also believe that a prostate massage can be used to treat chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) or even prevent prostate cancer.
The truth is, there’s just not enough evidence to answer that question.
However, a 2009 study published in The Open Urology & Nephrology Journal found that 46.7% of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients involved in the study found relief after performing at-home prostate massage therapy.
If you’re interested in learning more about it, you should start by seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional.
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A healthy prostate is crucial for sexual intercourse and men’s health in general. And, if your prostate is out of whack, erectile dysfunction may come into play.
One way that some people use to treat this erectile dysfunction is prostatic massage therapy, in which a gloved, lubricated finger is used to massage the prostate. Unfortunately, there’s just not much evidence out there to determine whether or not this type of treatment works.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other ED treatments to help your sexual function. If you are interested in exploring ways to improve your sex life, speak with a healthcare professional.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.
Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction. (July 2017). Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts
Capogrosso, P., et al. (2013). One patient out of four with newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction is a young man - worrisome picture from the everyday clinical practice. The journal of sexual medicine, 10(7): 1833-41. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsm.12179
Yafi, F.A., et al. (2017). Erectile dysfunction. Nat rev dis primers, 2: 16003. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5027992/
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) (June 2108). Urology Care Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)
Symptoms & Causes of Erectile Dysfunction (July 2017). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes
Feliciano, et al. (2006). Repetitive prostatic massage and drug therapy as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate. MedGenMed : Medscape general medicine, 8(4), 19. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1868377/
What is Prostate Cancer? Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/what-is-prostate-cancer.htm
Sildenafil (2018). Medline Plus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699015.html
Tadalafil (2016). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604008.html
Smith BP, Babos M. Sildenafil. updated 2020 jun 25. In: StatPearls internet. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558978/
The Food and Drug Administration. (2018). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/021368s030lbl.pdf
Symptoms & Causes of Erectile Dysfunction (July 2017). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes
Causes and Treatment Options of Psychological Impotence (2006). The Well-Being Institute, the University of Cambridge. http://www.cambridgewellbeing.org/psychological.html
Capodice, et al. (n.d.). Evaluation of an at-home-use prostate massage device for men with lower urinary tract symptoms. The Open Urology & Nephrology Journal. Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://openurologyandnephrologyjournal.com/VOLUME/2/PAGE/20/FULLTEXT/
Prostate problems | National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prostate-problems
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.