Massage therapy can be a great way to relieve stress and pain. Can your prostate also benefit from massage?
According to Petar Bajic, MD urologist, prostate massage (also called prostatic massaging) is an old treatment that does not belong in the modern practice of urology.
Dr. Bajic says, “In the past healthcare providers used prostate massaging to treat chronic conditions like prostatitis and pelvic pain.” If some people experienced improvements in symptoms, this was probably not due to their prostate. Most likely, the problem was Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and the massage helped to loosen these muscles.
Dr. Bajic explains the benefits of a prostate massaging and the importance pelvic floor physical therapies.
What is a prostrate massage?
Men of the same gender, and People Assigned Male at Birth (AMAB) both have a Prostate below their bladders and in front their rectum. The prostate is the walnut-sized gland responsible for producing most of semen’s fluid. The prostate muscles force this fluid through the urethra when you ejaculate.
You can give yourself a prostrate massage. Insert a finger in your anus, and gently press and massage your prostate. It looks like a soft rubbery circle that sits up towards your belly button, just above your rectum.
It has been a long-held belief that a prostate massaging helps to release stagnant fluid, relieve symptoms such as erectile dysfunction and painful ejaculation. There is still a need for more research in these areas as the evidence supporting these claims are small and anecdotal.
Dr. Bajic reiterates that there is no medical evidence to support the use of prostate massage. You don’t have to apply manual pressure to the prostate in order to release prostatic liquid. This fluid can be expressed more effectively through ejaculation.
Why is there no benefit to prostate massage?
Prostatitis is an inflammation or infection of the prostate. People seeking a massage for relief often suffer from pelvic pain, or have a history that has been diagnosed as prostatitis. Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate, can be treated by antibiotics and other treatments.
One of the leading causes of pelvic discomfort is pelvic dysfunction. This condition occurs when you are unable to relax your pelvic muscles or to coordinate them in order to urinate, or to have a bowel motion (see below for more information).
“Healthcare professionals sometimes misdiagnose the pelvic floor as a problem with the prostate,” says Dr. Bajic. “But the real problem is often in the muscles supporting the pelvis.”
Dr. Bajic says that prostate massages were common in the past. When providers massage the prostate, they unknowingly massage the internal muscles of the pelvic floor. This is why some people’s symptoms temporarily improved.
Prostate massage risks
It is unlikely that a prostate massage will provide you with lasting relief. Nor will it address the underlying problems that are causing your problems. Some of the risks that are associated with prostate massages include:
- Injuries to the rectum.
- Pain or soreness
- hemorrhoids getting worse
What is pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
It is common for people of all sexes to suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction, but it is more prevalent in AMABs and cisgender males.
- Traumatic injury of the pelvic region.
- Overusing your pelvic muscles.
- Pelvic surgery
As you age or gain more weight, your pelvic floor muscles may also weaken.
“I refer to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction as a charley-horse in the pelvis,” explains Dr. Bajic. Most often, the muscles are too tight and don’t have a normal range of movement.
You may experience many symptoms if you have a pelvic floor dysfunction.
- A difficulty in urinating or bowel movements.
- Frequent trips in the bathroom.
- Constipation Or straining.
- Leaking stool, or Urine.
- Urination that is painful.
- Back pain can be caused by a number of factors.
- Pain in the pelvic area, including your genitals and rectum with or without bowel movements.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: An Alternative to Prostate Massage
If your healthcare provider diagnoses pelvic muscle dysfunction today, they might prescribe pelvic physical therapy. This focuses on restoring the function of your pelvic muscles.
Stretching and lengthening contracted (tightened) muscle bands is the basis of pelvic floor physical therapy. You can then build strength with pelvic exercises once the range of movement of these muscles has returned.
Dr. Bajic says that people make a mistake when they start Kegel exercises prior to seeing a physical therapist. “Those exercises are to strengthen. Kegel exercises should not be done until you have dealt with any injuries or contracted muscles and regained your range of movement. Then you can increase muscle strength using Kegel exercise.”
Some common questions regarding pelvic floor physical treatment include:
Who is the pelvic floor physical therapist?
Pelvic floor physical therapists are trained in a specific area. They assess your range of movement, muscle strength and contractility both externally and internally. Inserting your finger into your rectum will allow you to feel your internal pelvic floor muscles. This test helps to pinpoint the problem areas.
“Not all physical therapy practitioners perform internal exams even though they are an important part in the evaluation,” says Dr. Bajic. If you are looking for a pelvic-floor physical therapist, be sure that they perform both internal and external assessments.
How much time does pelvic floor physical treatment take?
The therapist will develop a plan of stretching and exercises after evaluating your condition. The treatment usually lasts between 10 and 12 weeks but can be longer. It is not uncommon to take this long for improvements to be noticed.
Does pelvic floor physical treatment work?
Dr. Bajic says that pelvic floor physical therapy can be very effective. Your provider will check for any other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. This could include a swollen nerve. The provider may try biofeedback or trigger point injections to encourage the muscles to relax.
Prostate Massage for Sexual Stimulation
The prostate massage is used by men to enhance their sexual experience. Dr. Bajic suggests using lubricant to reduce the risk of injury when you try a prostate massaging or any other type of sex.
You can also find sex products that are specifically designed for prostate stimulation. Be patient and use plenty of lubrication. Also, make sure that the product you choose is safe and will not get stuck.
Bottom line, prostate massages are not effective in treating prostate or pelvic problems. It’s fine to use it during sex with a partner who consents, but not as a medical treatment.
