Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeConditionsRisksWhat to ExpectHow to PrepareHow to Give
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
Conditions
Risks
What to Expect
How to Prepare
How to Give
A prostate massage is when a finger is put into the rectum to stimulate theprostate glandto help release fluid. It’s usually done during sex to enhance pleasure. It is sometimes also called “prostate milking.”
Healthcare providers do not recommend prostate massage to treat medical conditions, but some people say it helps with symptoms of anenlarged prostate,erectile dysfunction, and difficulty urinating.
This article will cover how prostate massage is done, the side effects and risks, and how to prepare to give and receive a prostate massage.
1:41Click Play to Learn How to Give a Prostate Massage
1:41
Click Play to Learn How to Give a Prostate Massage
What Is the Purpose of Prostate Massage?
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSebastian Kaulitzki / Science Photo Library
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Sebastian Kaulitzki / Science Photo Library
The goal of prostate massage is to release extra seminal fluid (the fluid that mixes with sperm to make semen) from the ducts of the prostate gland. Many people use prostate massage during sex.
Healthcare providers do not recommend prostate massage as a treatment for urologic conditions, but some people feel it helps with inflammation, urination, and other symptoms related to the prostate.
The prostate gland is located between the bladder and the root of the penis. It makesseminal fluidto provide nutrients to sperm and transport them duringejaculation.Theurethra(the tube through which urine and semen exit the body) runs through the center of the prostate.
What Conditions May Benefit From Prostate Massage?
Certain prostate conditions may benefit from prostate massage, includingbenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)andprostatitis.
Prostatitis
For some people (especially older males) prostatitis happens for no known reason. Prostatitis can clear up on its own (unlike BPH, which is a progressive condition). However, some people may have prostatitis that keeps coming back (recurrence).
Symptoms of prostatitis include:
The goal of prostatitis treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation. Treatment may include medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or neuromodulators. Your healthcare provider may also recommend alternative treatments such as a warm bath, heat therapy, or physical therapy.
Prostate massage is thought to help unblock glandular ducts, which may help relieve pressure and inflammation. One small study concluded that two or three prostate massage sessions when combined with other types of physical therapy might be helpful for people with prostatitis, although the authors acknowledged that more research is needed to confirm these results.
Urine Flow
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is enlargement of the prostate that can lead to problems with urine flow. This condition happens with age.
The prostate is usually the size of a walnut, but in people who are in their 60s or older, the organ can get as large as a plum or even bigger. If the prostate gland gets large enough, it can compress the urethra and lead to urinary problems such as:
Prostate massage may help eliminate some swelling and improve urine flow. Although there has not been much current research exploring this question, an older study from 2009 found that an at-home prostate massage device improved urinary function in people with benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitits.
Erectile Dysfunction
Some people recommend prostate massage as a way to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). This is in addition to medically recommended treatments such as:
Because prostate massage is often used during sex to enhance male pleasure, some people also believe it could help ED symptoms.
The prostate gland is sometimes called the “male G spot.” The prostate, penis, and urethra are all attached to a group of nerves called theprostatic plexusthat are activated during orgasm.Massaging the prostate gland with a finger (manually) or during anal sex is thought to enhance sexual pleasure and make it easier to ejaculate.
However, while it may be true that prostate massage enhances the intensity of ejaculation, there is no evidence that it can treat ED.
Diagnosing Medical Conditions
In medicine, prostate massage is most often used to help identify health conditions such as chronic bacterial infection of the prostate.
If there is a bacterial infection, a prostate massage will release bacteria into the urine, which can then be cultured and identified so that it can be managed with antibiotics.
What Are the Risks of Prostate Massage?
Prostate massage may cause side effects, such as:
Who Should Not Have a Prostate Massage
Some people should not have a prostate massage, including:
What to Expect During a Medical Prostate Massage
These healthcare providers are trained to do a digital rectal exam to check the prostate for cancer and other abnormalities.
Most regular massage therapists do not offer prostate massage, but you might be able to find a certified prostate massage therapist to work with. You may also want to look for someone who is trained in tantric sex practices to do prostate massage.
How to Prepare for a Prostate Massage
Some people consider prostate massage a pleasurable sexual practice. You can do it on your own or with a partner. You can also use a prostate massager, which is a device you can insert into your rectum that allows you to self-massage your prostate. Healthcare providers don’t usually recommend these devices since they can cause pain and injury if used incorrectly.
There are some things you should do before you get a prostate massage. To prevent injury or discomfort from a prostate massage:
What’s the difference between a penile and prostate orgasm?An orgasm achieved through prostatic massage is thought to differ from a penile orgasm since it causes more pelvic muscle contractions than a penile orgasm.
What’s the difference between a penile and prostate orgasm?
An orgasm achieved through prostatic massage is thought to differ from a penile orgasm since it causes more pelvic muscle contractions than a penile orgasm.
How to Give a Prostate Massage
If you’ll be getting a prostate massage for sexual purposes, it will help to become aroused first. When you’re aroused, the prostate gland will move into a slightly upward and backward position as your penis becomes erect.
From there, here’s how to give a prostate massage:
What to Expect During a Digital Prostate Exam
Summary
There is very little evidence that prostate massage is an effective therapy for prostatitis, enlarged prostate, or other health conditions that affect the prostate. Some people use them as a part of sexual activity.
If you want to try prostatic massage, know that it has risks. Do not have a prostate massage if you have bacterial prostatitis, prostate cancer, fissures, or hemorrhoids.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lin W, Wang Y, Chen Y.Efficacy analysis of physical therapy in treating chronic prostatitis: Unblocking obstructed glandular ducts could be a novel treatment strategy.Res Rep Urol. 2023;15:553-561. doi:10.2147/RRU.S442844National Cancer Institute.Anatomy of the prostate: SEER training.MedlinePlus.Prostate diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).Capodice JL, Stone BA, Katz AE.Evaluation of an at-home-use prostate massage device for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.Open Urol Nephrol J. 2009;2(1). doi:10.2174/1874303X01002010020Revenig L, Leung A, Hsiao W.Ejaculatory physiology and pathophysiology: assessment and treatment in male infertility.Transl Androl Urol.2014;3(1):41–9. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.02.02Levin RJ.Prostate‐induced orgasms: A concise review illustrated with a highly relevant case study.Clin Anatomy.2018;31(1);81-5. doi:10.1002/ca.23006Doiron RC, Nickel JC.Evaluation of the male with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Can Urol Assoc J. 2018;12(6 Suppl 3):S152-S154. doi:10.5489/cuaj.5322Coker TJ, Dierfeldt DM.Acute bacterial prostatitis: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(2):114-20.U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Prostate cancer: screening.Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: Emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril.2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lin W, Wang Y, Chen Y.Efficacy analysis of physical therapy in treating chronic prostatitis: Unblocking obstructed glandular ducts could be a novel treatment strategy.Res Rep Urol. 2023;15:553-561. doi:10.2147/RRU.S442844National Cancer Institute.Anatomy of the prostate: SEER training.MedlinePlus.Prostate diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).Capodice JL, Stone BA, Katz AE.Evaluation of an at-home-use prostate massage device for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.Open Urol Nephrol J. 2009;2(1). doi:10.2174/1874303X01002010020Revenig L, Leung A, Hsiao W.Ejaculatory physiology and pathophysiology: assessment and treatment in male infertility.Transl Androl Urol.2014;3(1):41–9. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.02.02Levin RJ.Prostate‐induced orgasms: A concise review illustrated with a highly relevant case study.Clin Anatomy.2018;31(1);81-5. doi:10.1002/ca.23006Doiron RC, Nickel JC.Evaluation of the male with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Can Urol Assoc J. 2018;12(6 Suppl 3):S152-S154. doi:10.5489/cuaj.5322Coker TJ, Dierfeldt DM.Acute bacterial prostatitis: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(2):114-20.U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Prostate cancer: screening.Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: Emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril.2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lin W, Wang Y, Chen Y.Efficacy analysis of physical therapy in treating chronic prostatitis: Unblocking obstructed glandular ducts could be a novel treatment strategy.Res Rep Urol. 2023;15:553-561. doi:10.2147/RRU.S442844National Cancer Institute.Anatomy of the prostate: SEER training.MedlinePlus.Prostate diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).Capodice JL, Stone BA, Katz AE.Evaluation of an at-home-use prostate massage device for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.Open Urol Nephrol J. 2009;2(1). doi:10.2174/1874303X01002010020Revenig L, Leung A, Hsiao W.Ejaculatory physiology and pathophysiology: assessment and treatment in male infertility.Transl Androl Urol.2014;3(1):41–9. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.02.02Levin RJ.Prostate‐induced orgasms: A concise review illustrated with a highly relevant case study.Clin Anatomy.2018;31(1);81-5. doi:10.1002/ca.23006Doiron RC, Nickel JC.Evaluation of the male with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Can Urol Assoc J. 2018;12(6 Suppl 3):S152-S154. doi:10.5489/cuaj.5322Coker TJ, Dierfeldt DM.Acute bacterial prostatitis: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(2):114-20.U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Prostate cancer: screening.Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: Emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril.2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033
Lin W, Wang Y, Chen Y.Efficacy analysis of physical therapy in treating chronic prostatitis: Unblocking obstructed glandular ducts could be a novel treatment strategy.Res Rep Urol. 2023;15:553-561. doi:10.2147/RRU.S442844
National Cancer Institute.Anatomy of the prostate: SEER training.
MedlinePlus.Prostate diseases.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Capodice JL, Stone BA, Katz AE.Evaluation of an at-home-use prostate massage device for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.Open Urol Nephrol J. 2009;2(1). doi:10.2174/1874303X01002010020
Revenig L, Leung A, Hsiao W.Ejaculatory physiology and pathophysiology: assessment and treatment in male infertility.Transl Androl Urol.2014;3(1):41–9. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.02.02
Levin RJ.Prostate‐induced orgasms: A concise review illustrated with a highly relevant case study.Clin Anatomy.2018;31(1);81-5. doi:10.1002/ca.23006
Doiron RC, Nickel JC.Evaluation of the male with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Can Urol Assoc J. 2018;12(6 Suppl 3):S152-S154. doi:10.5489/cuaj.5322
Coker TJ, Dierfeldt DM.Acute bacterial prostatitis: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(2):114-20.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Prostate cancer: screening.
Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: Emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril.2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033
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