In recent years, as more focus and research has been put into men’s prostate health, prostate milking has also moved from the shadows into the mainstream as both a source of sexual pleasure and a way to identify and treat certain men’s health issues.
Prostate milking (also known as prostate massage therapy) is the practice of massaging the male prostate for medical or therapeutic reasons. Milking involves massaging the prostate until it produces a thin, milky fluid called prostate fluid, which is a component of semen. Preliminary research suggests that prostate milking may improve urinary flow and symptoms associated with prostate enlargement or to detect and possibly treat men’s health conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), erectile dysfunction, and prostatitis.
What is the Prostate Gland?
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland found between the bladder and the penis. Its primary job is to produce prostatic fluid. Produced in the testicles, prostatic fluid nourishes and protects sperm. The prostate contracts during ejaculation, sending the fluid through the urethra (the tube within the penis that transports semen and urine) and out of the body.
As men age, several conditions can cause the prostate to become enlarged. The three most common prostate problems are benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which affects most men over age 50; prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate caused by an infection; and prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer in men. 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime.
Health Benefits of Prostate Milking
Although to date solid results of research and relevant case studies have been limited, it’s known that prostate milking and massage may help certain men’s health conditions.
Many doctors recommend prostate massage to maintain the health of the prostate gland. Milking the prostate encourages blood flow and fresh fluid production, flushes stagnant fluid out of the area, and releases chronic tension in the pelvis. Researchers believe that stagnation of unreleased fluid causes the build-up of toxins and cell mutation that can lead to health issues like chronic prostatitis and inflammation of the prostate.
Prostate massage can also have other benefits to men’s health, including:
- Treating erectile dysfunction
- Reducing the risk of painful ejaculation
- Increasing urine flow
- Shrinking an enlarged prostate
A prostate massage is only normally performed when a doctor suspects inflammation or infection usually associated with prostatitis.
Home Prostate Massaging
Whether for medical or sexual reasons, there are those who would rather perform a prostate massage at home. A 2009 preliminary trial of a home prostate massager device found that men with chronic prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia experienced a reduction in symptoms following consistent home prostate massage. Researchers believe regular home prostate milking may keep the prostate healthier in the long run, and do not discourage the process.
Sexual Pleasure
Prostate milking may also be very pleasurable. One of the male erogenous zones, the prostate is popularly known as “the p-spot.” An erogenous zone is a highly sensitive area of the body that may generate a sexual response when stimulated. Because the prostate plays a role in producing semen, stimulating it may produce a more intense orgasm during ejaculation, known as prostate orgasm. Prostate milking can make sex more pleasurable and it can enhance closeness between partners.
Risks
Prostate milking is not usually dangerous. However, a very aggressive technique could cause minor injury to the skin or rectum. Also, intense or forceful prostate massage could be painful, especially for those experience it for the first time.
Because the prostate is so close to the bladder and urethra, intense prostate stimulation can cause the urge to urinate. Prostatitis and other prostate problems may also lead to more frequent urination.
Prostate massage also presents a small risk of prostate infection. If a person massages the prostate with dirty hands, this could introduce bacteria into the area.
If you are interested in the health benefits of prostate massage, talk to your doctor about how prostate milking can help if you’re concerned about state of your prostate health, your risk of prostate cancer, or just to improve your sex life.