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Prostate massage therapy (also known as urological massage) is the practice of influencing the male prostate for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. Prostate massage (external or internal) was used to increase blood flow, improve urination and maintain the integrity of the organ tissue. The use of prostate massage is not officially recognized as a treatment today, is sometimes used for a number of conditions, and is usually used before semen, prostate juice, or urine samples are taken.
The prostate is a gland located between the bladder and the penis. It is often described as a walnut-sized organ, although this is actually only true for young men. The job of the prostate is to produce prostatic fluid, which is a component of semen. This fluid nourishes and protects the sperm (which is produced in the testicles) and ultimately transports the sperm to their final destination. During ejaculation, the prostate contracts, sending fluid into the urethra.
As we age, the prostate can become enlarged due to several conditions. The three most common prostate problems are:
- benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which affects most men over 50;
- prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate, sometimes caused by an infection
- Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men (1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives).
Because the prostate surrounds the bladder neck and urethra, it can cause difficulty urinating when enlarged. Problems may include passing urine, difficulty starting to urinate, frequent urination (including having to get up several times during the night to do so), and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
Some of the conditions for which urological massage is sometimes used include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), erectile dysfunction, and prostatitis. Prostate massage is similar to a digital rectal examination but is slightly longer in duration.
During the massage, the doctor will insert a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum. He will gently press or massage the prostate for a few minutes. The massage can be a little uncomfortable for a while, but it shouldn’t be painful. External prostate massage may involve pressure on the perineum, the area about halfway between the anus and the scrotum. It can also be done by gently rubbing the abdomen between the pubic bone and the navel. There are also devices for external prostate massage.
The benefits of urological massage for adults
As a man ages, the likelihood of prostate problems increases.
Proponents claim that prostate massage (urological massage) can clear the prostate duct, reducing or alleviating the symptoms of prostatitis. Although some studies have shown that prostate massage may be beneficial for some men, the evidence is inconclusive.
However, massage-induced benefits have been reported in the medical literature. External prostate massage is believed to reduce pain, improve erections, and make it easier to urinate. However, there is little medical evidence to support these claims.
Harm of urological massage for adults
Before you decide to try this therapy, talk to your doctor about what you can expect. Although this practice is not used very often, your doctor will be able to determine if this adjuvant therapy is right for you.
Prostate massage is not a remedy for prostatitis and prostate adenoma. While some studies have shown that it may be effective, more data is needed. There are times when doctors recommend it, but it is unlikely to be a key appointment.
Contraindications for urological massage for adults
Urological massage is contraindicated in prostate cancer – some urologists believe that manipulation of the gland can theoretically cause the spread of any cancer cells.
How to make urological massage for adults at home
Such massage is not carried out at home. With regard to massage in clinics, the issue is also controversial. In some studies, prostate massage is being studied in a medical context as a treatment for an enlarged prostate.
A study published in Medscape General Medicine (Hennenfent, 2006) evaluated a group of men who suffered from urinary retention (i.e. the inability to urinate) due to an enlarged prostate. All received prostate massage (in addition to treatment with antimicrobials, alpha-blockers, and finasteride) as an alternative to prostate removal. All returned the ability to urinate, were able to remove the tubes and avoided surgery.
Several studies also describe how prostate massage is used to treat chronic prostatitis. One study published in the journal Urology (Ateya, 2006) found that it was ineffective. Another study, conducted by UCLA Medical Center and the Institute of Male Urology in Los Angeles, involved 73 men with chronic prostatitis who were treated with antibiotics and given regular prostate massage by urologists. In 40% of them, the symptoms completely disappeared, and in 21% there was some improvement.
Clearly, prostate massage is not a magic wand for prostatitis, and more research is needed. There are times when doctors recommend it, but this is not the main method.
Popular questions and answers
Urological massage is often practiced, but what do experts think about it? Answered typical patient questions urologist-andrologist of the highest category Rodion Vasilevsky.
How effective is urological massage for adults?
The effectiveness and expediency of therapeutic prostate massage are often far-fetched and doubtful. In most developed countries, this technique is not included in the standards for the treatment of prostate diseases and is not practiced. Historically, since the times of the USSR, therapeutic prostate massage has been introduced into clinical practice. And by some experts it is promoted and practiced to this day on a commercial basis.
Urological massage, in my opinion, can be performed in a narrow segment of indications. For example, some patients with a psychosomatic basis of prostatitis, when exactly this technique leads to subjective improvement. Or with congestion in the prostate gland, when for certain reasons it is impossible to maintain a regular sexual life.