New research has revealed that there is a certain number of times a man should ejaculate a month to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Science has found a surprising link between frequent ejaculation and a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

That’s right — the more men orgasm, the lower their chances of developing the disease.

These findings come at a crucial moment, as projections show global deaths from prostate cancer could double in the next two decades.

But what is the magic number you should be aiming for? Well, according to science, it's 21 times per month.

According to a study published in European Urology, which followed over 32,000 men for 18 years, those who ejaculated more frequently had a significantly lower risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those who only ejaculated four to seven times a month.

The good news? It doesn’t matter how it happens.

Whether it’s solo play, partnered sex, or even a spontaneous wet dream, the health benefits are still there.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that daily ejaculation — in any form — can be good for you.

Why this happens is still somewhat of a mystery, but experts have a few theories.

Dr. Anne Calvaresi, chair of the Urology Care Foundation’s Prostate Health Committee, suggests that ejaculation could help flush out harmful chemicals that build up in semen.

She also points out that “it is possible men who ejaculate more may have healthier lifestyle habits that decrease their odds of being diagnosed with the disease.”

It turns out that abstaining from sex can also have a negative impact on your health.

Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn broke it down in an interview with the Daily Mail, highlighting some of the lesser-known consequences of a sexless stretch.

Sex naturally triggers the release of oxytocin, famously known as the "love hormone." This feel-good chemical plays a big role in bonding, trust, and overall mood.

As Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn points out: “Without this dopamine, you can undergo a variety of problems that are detrimental to your mental health such as anxiety, depression, and increased levels of stress.”

It’s not just about missing out on pleasure — sex has a real impact on emotional well-being.

A lack of intimacy can even manifest as anger. According to a 2021 Science Direct study, unmet sexual needs can increase frustration and may lead to aggressive behavior.

The study states that sexual frustration may result in “the risks of aggression, violence, and crime associated with relief-seeking, power-seeking, revenge-seeking, and displaced frustration.”

While the psychological effects are more pronounced, a lack of sex can impact the body too — especially over the long term.

Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn notes that men who abstain for extended periods may face health risks such as penile atrophy and even an increased chance of prostate cancer.

For women, going months without sex can lead to vaginal atrophy — a condition where vaginal tissues become thin, dry, and in some cases, the canal can shorten.

This can make future sexual activity uncomfortable or even painful.

Featured image credit: Larry Washburn/Getty

For years, prostate cancer has been one of those health topics most men would rather not think about. It’s common, serious, and frustratingly mysterious.

While doctors know genetics matter, the role everyday habits play has always been harder to pin down. But a long-running Harvard study asked a surprisingly simple question and the answer raised a few eyebrows.

The research came from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, often referred to as the Harvard Ejaculation Survey, which began back in 1986 and tracked the health of thousands of male healthcare workers in the US.In 1992, researchers asked over 29,000 men aged between 46 and 81 to look back on their lives and report how often they ejaculated during different stages - their twenties, their forties, and the year leading up to the survey.

This included sex, masturbation, and even nocturnal emissions. Nothing was off the table.The men then continued to share health and lifestyle updates every two years until 2000, giving researchers a long-term view rather than a quick snapshot.

So what did they find? Well, despite what some might expect, frequent ejaculation wasn’t linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. Quite the opposite, actually.

Men who ejaculated 21 or more times a month were significantly less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who averaged just four to seven times.

In fact, the most active group showed a 31 percent lower risk overall.Even after accounting for other lifestyle habits and medical testing, the results still held up.

While this doesn’t mean ejaculation is some kind of magic shield against cancer, it does suggest there’s more going on here than coincidence.The takeaway?

A healthy sex life might be doing more than boosting your mood.

It could also be playing a quiet role in protecting your prostate and it’s another reminder that the habits we build earlier in life can stick with us in ways we never expect.

Masturbating too much is famously uncool, but according to a recent study that has the seal of expert approval, not masturbating enough comes with its own disadvantages...

Sex and relationship expert Tara Suwinyattichaiporn says going a long time without any kind of sexual release, either alone or with a partner, can affect both mental and physical health.

What do the experts say?

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn explained that intimacy, touch, and sexual release all play a role in emotional well-being. Without the aforementioned, some people may notice higher stress levels, anxiety, or even symptoms of depression.

She also added that cutting out masturbation entirely from one’s daily life can leave people feeling frustrated emotionally and physically, which in some cases may lead to more aggressive behavior.

A 2021 study substantiated that claim, finding that a lack of sexual release could increase aggression, violence, and even criminal behavior in some people. Researchers suggested it may be linked to built-up frustration or attempts to release tension.

There may also be physical effects, especially for men.

A study published in European Urology in 2016 found that men who ejaculated at least 21 times a month had a lower risk of prostate cancer than men who only ejaculated four to seven times monthly.

Researchers believe that may be because ejaculation helps clear out substances that can build up in the prostate over time. The Urology Care Foundation says regular ejaculation could help flush harmful chemicals from the body through semen.

How you masturbate can have a wide-reaching effect. Credit: wakila/Getty Images

For women, long periods without sexual activity have been linked to vaginal atrophy, where vaginal tissue becomes thinner and drier over time, sometimes causing discomfort.

Limited erections can also lead to health implications, experts claim

There can also be changes for men who rarely get erections.

Tobias Kohler from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine told WebMD: “If men don't do anything to maintain normal erections, they will get shortening of the penis.”

Researchers have also studied how abstinence affects testosterone levels.

In a small 2002 study from China, scientists tracked hormone levels in 28 men who stopped ejaculating for several days. Blood tests were taken daily throughout the study.

The researchers wrote: “The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in sex hormone level in men after ejaculation.”

They found testosterone levels stayed mostly stable between days two and five before rising sharply on day seven.

“We found that fluctuations of testosterone levels from day 2 to day 5 of abstinence were minimal. On day 7 of abstinence, a peak of serum testosterone appeared, reaching 145.7% of the baseline (P<0.01). After the peak, no regular fluctuation was observed.”

The study also noted: “Ejaculation was the premise and beginning of the 7 days' periodic phenomenon. If there was no ejaculation, there was no periodical changes in serum testosterone level. These results indicate that the periodic change in serum testosterone level is caused by ejaculation.”

Featured Image. Credit: wakila/Getty Images

Researchers at the University of Oxford say they may have uncovered an unexpected downside to avoiding ejaculation, and it challenges a lot of common beliefs about male fertility.

Serial masturbators are famously uncool, but after recent studies carried out by Oxbridge scientists revealed that producing semen more often can benefit fertility, reaching for the lube can now be considered health-conscious.

When discussing fertility, women are often associated with a biological “ticking clock” because they are born with a limited number of eggs that age over time. Men, on the other hand, produce sperm continuously from puberty, and those sperm can be stored in the body before ejaculation. This means sperm can effectively “age” independently of the man himself.

For years, men trying to conceive have been told to abstain from sex for several days to build up sperm count. While that does increase quantity, the new research highlights a trade-off. The study found that sperm kept during abstinence actually “ages” and declines in quality.

What do the studies mean for masturbation?

After analyzing data from 115 studies involving nearly 55,000 men, researchers discovered that longer gaps between ejaculations were linked to worse sperm health. Motility (how well sperm swim) and viability both decreased, while DNA damage increased.

Sperm lives inside the male body about two and a half months. Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty

Scientists believe this decline comes down to two main factors. One is oxidative stress—described as a kind of biological “rust” that builds up and harms sperm. The other is energy depletion, as sperm are highly active cells that eventually run out of fuel when stored for too long.

Although current guidelines recommend abstaining for two to seven days before providing a sperm sample for testing or IVF, the findings suggest that shorter gaps may actually be better for sperm quality. Other studies back this up, showing improved IVF outcomes when ejaculation happens within 48 hours.

How does frequent ejaculation improve sperm health?

Frequent ejaculation, including masturbation, may help maintain healthier sperm. According to the researchers, it could offer an adaptive advantage because “it flushes out damaged, stored sperm.”

This pattern isn’t limited to humans either. Studies across dozens of animal species found the same trend: the longer sperm is stored, the more its quality declines, reducing the chances of successful embryo development.

Interestingly, sperm stored inside females tends to deteriorate more slowly, possibly because some species have evolved ways to protect and nourish it.

Overall, the findings suggest sperm, like eggs, have a kind of “use-by date.” And while many factors affecting fertility are outside a person’s control, this is one that isn’t—meaning avoiding long periods without ejaculation could help improve fertility outcomes.

Featured Image. Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty

A medical expert and men's health expert has explained whether you can masturbate too much, according to science.

Let's not beat around the bush - the majority have people have questioned whether there should be a limit on how much someone, well, has a venture downstairs.

Dr. Kelly Brown, a board-certified Urologist and fellowship-trained in Andrology, with a strong background in men's health, particularly in clinical medicine and research, has revealed whether there is a frequency that people should be aiming for when it comes masturbating.

Sex or porn addiction is something that many may be concerned about, with this often being linked to the number of times someone can "reach completion" in a certain timespan.

So, is there a limit, and how much is too much?

Could doing the deed too much, have an effect on your health? Credit: wakila/Getty Images

How often do men masturbate?

While there isn't any detailed data on the subject, there is some available self-reported statistics.

This can be useful, though it relies on the participants being 100 percent truthful about their habits, but it is still the most accurate data available to the scientific world.

A study from 2023 asked men about how often they made time for self love, and the following was found:

1. Around 20 percent did it once a week or more, up to daily
2. Approximately 15 percent did it one or more times a month
3. About 20 percent did it a few times per year
4. About one-third of men said they hadn't masturbated in the last year

Many may believe that those who do it daily or weekly may be partaking in the habit too often, but this isn't true at all.

It's all about self-perception, and more importantly, there is no direct link between how often one masturbates and any negative physical or mental side effects.

There isn't an exact number that is considered "too much" when it comes to some alone time. Credit: Pekic/Getty

Can you masturbate too much?

Experts don't seem to agree on what counts as compulsive masturbation, but there are certain triggers and signs which can indicate that someone is doing it too much.

There isn't bucketloads of certainty in this field of research, but the doctor has compared addiction to masturbating to sex or porn addiction.

Essentially, a "distressing amount" is relative to the person - someone with an open mind about sex may be more open to the deed being done more, while more conservative individuals may frown upon it.

However, there are several health-related symptoms which can indicate that someone is masturbating too often.

According to the medical expert, these can include:

1. Raw, red, or bleeding skin on the penis
2. Painful erections
3. The penis becomes sore

These can be signs that you're doing it either too often or too hard, but they are far easier to identify than the psychological signs.

It has been reported that regular masturbation can lead to actual sex feeling less satisfying, while people from certain cultures can also find themselves dealing with masturbatory guilt.

For some, frequent masturbation can negatively affect your daily life, from self-confidence to the relationships that you have with others.

It is said that this can lead to more serious mental health issues, but scientific data on the impact of the deed is still lacking heavily.

Physical signs of doing it too much are easier to identify than psychological signs. Credit: Paul Strowger/Getty Images

Masuturbation benefits

It can be easy getting excessive masturbation mixed up with normal, healthy practices, so here are the benefits you can experience from getting your hand down there.

Self-pleasure can help you de-stress and alleviate any anxious feelings, which also includes performance anxiety that may be getting in the way of an erection or finishing.

More self-love has been found to correlate with men having a comfort level with checking for cancer.

Men who use self-pleasuring tools and sex toys are more likely to carry out a self-exam on their testicles, which can be useful in looking for lumps or any abnormalities which could lead to cancer.

More masturbation can result in better sleep, in terms of both quality and length of rest.

Being able to orgasm can help you produce dopamine and norepinephrine, also known as feel-good hormones, which then improves brain chemistry - think of it as nature's antidepressant.

If you have a partner, mutual masturbation has been suggested as a possible avenue to go down, with this even encouraging closeness in relationships and finding more about one another in the bedroom, improving bonding.

Featured image credit: JW LTD/Getty

A new study from researchers in China has revealed that men who enjoy more frequent sex have a lower risk of developing heart disease.

So, if you’ve been looking for a science-backed excuse to roll around more in the sheets, consider this your green light.

The team from Qingdao University conducted an extensive study over nearly nine years, analyzing data from 17,243 adults in the U.S.

Their research and results were published in the Journal of Scientific Reports back in December.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, encompasses a variety of conditions that impact the heart's function and health.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of heart disease vary depending on the specific type and its severity. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications like heart attacks or strokes.

Certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, being overweight, and a lack of physical activity, can significantly increase the risk of developing heart disease. "Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices," the Mayo Clinic writes.

Surprising Results

So, what were the results of the study? Well, researchers found that men who had sex fewer than 12 times a year were at a higher risk of heart disease and early death. Meanwhile, those who got lucky about 103 times annually — roughly twice a week — significantly reduced their chances of cardiovascular trouble.

Even better news: you don’t have to hit those twice-weekly numbers to see benefits.

Experts noted that having sex just once a week (52 times a year) is still good for your heart. But before you go overboard, remember moderation is key. Researchers found that having sex more than once a day might actually have a negative impact on your heart health.

Why Does Sex Help Your Heart?

The link between sex and your heart isn’t just about love and intimacy — it’s physical, too. "Never mind the ways in which sex may be good for your heart in terms of love, intimacy and emotions; sex is quite literally good for your heart," explained Dr. Alexis Missick of UK Meds, per The Sun.

Sex gets your heart pumping, boosts circulation, and reduces stress — all crucial for cardiovascular health. Plus, it burns about five calories a minute, making it a pretty enjoyable workout that strengthens muscles throughout your body.

"It’s often overlooked that sexual activity itself constitutes a form of physical activity and aerobic exercise," the authors wrote. "Despite the well-established benefits of moderate physical activity, evidence suggests there may be a point of diminishing returns.

"In fact, high levels of aerobic exercise may detract from the significant health benefits observed with moderate levels."

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, but regular romps in the bedroom could help. “Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level is not only important but could be made a lot easier thanks to having sex,” said Dr. Missick.

A Warning for Dry Spells

If your bedroom activity has hit a dry spell, it could be more than a relationship hiccup — it might be a warning sign.

Erectile dysfunction, for example, can indicate underlying heart disease. As the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explains, erections depend on proper blood flow. Blocked arteries, a buildup of cholesterol, or other heart issues can disrupt this, leading to problems in the bedroom.

The researchers behind the study urge men to consider their sexual activity as a gauge of their overall health. “Those with either excessively high or low [sexual] frequencies should pay attention to the situation and seek medical attention if necessary,” the authors wrote.

So, whether it’s for love, fitness, or just good old fun, science has spoken — getting busy could help keep your ticker in top shape.

Featured image credit: franckreporter/Getty