Do Orgasms Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer?

Do Orgasms Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer?

Written by: Dr. Brian Steixner

Key Takeaways

A Harvard study of 32,000 men found that ejaculating 21 or more times a month was linked to 1/3 lower risk of prostate cancer. 

Ejaculation releases endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, and prolactin. The health benefits go beyond the obvious one.

Frequent ejaculation can temporarily reduce semen volume. Your body needs time to restock between sessions.

Prostate cancer has a 98% five-year survival rate when caught early. Ejaculating regularly is not a substitute for screening.

Support your output with Popstar Volume + Taste and your recovery with Reload Performance Booster.

If you're a fan of orgasms, and who isn't, it's your lucky day. A recent Harvard University study found that men who had at least 21 orgasms in a month were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer compared to men who only ejaculated four to seven times per month. It sounds too good to be true, but those of us in sexual medicine have always known that milking the cow, so to speak, has a host of healthy benefits. Let's talk about why.

The Harvard Study: Key Numbers
Health Professionals Follow Up Study, European Urology
32,000
Men tracked over 18 years
21+
Ejaculations per month in higher frequency group
1/3
Lower prostate cancer risk vs. 4 to 7 per month
This is an association, not proof that ejaculation prevents prostate cancer. Other studies have produced mixed results. 21 is a research finding, not your monthly quota.

Ejaculating Is Good for You

In addition to that intense, peel-yourself-off-the-wall pleasure you feel during an orgasm, ejaculation has a long list of healthy side effects. It releases endorphins, the body's feel-good neurochemicals that reduce anxiety and stress, improve feelings of self-worth, help control appetite, and boost immune function. If you or your partner have ever found yourselves snoring minutes after sex, it will come as no surprise that orgasms also help you fall asleep faster.

Beyond the chemical rush of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and prolactin, ejaculation is also thought to help clear out the prostate by regularly moving fluid through the gland. And by frequently getting rid of sperm that may carry DNA damage, ejaculating regularly may also support semen quality. One study found that after ejaculating every day for seven days, 80% of participants showed an increase in sperm quality. Researchers believe increased ejaculation frequency may support fertility.

Prostate Cancer: The Numbers Worth Knowing

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in American men. According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 299,000 new cases and around 35,000 deaths from prostate cancer in the US each year. About one in eight men will be diagnosed in his lifetime. The average age at diagnosis is 66.

The Harvard study was published in the journal European Urology and tracked self-reported data from nearly 32,000 men between 1992 and 2010. Men who ejaculated at least 21 times per month were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer during the study period.

In full disclosure, this is not the only study on the topic. Other studies have found no link, and one even found an association between increased masturbation and higher prostate cancer risk in younger men. I include this because I don't want you stress-scheduling 21 orgasms on your calendar. That's a lot. However, what we do know is that regular ejaculation has real mental, emotional, and physical benefits worth acknowledging.

The good news is that the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is 98% when caught early. Since early-stage prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, screening is how most cases are found. More advanced disease can cause urinary problems, blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, bone pain, or loss of bladder or bowel control. If any of those show up, see a doctor.

Prostate Cancer: The Numbers
American Cancer Society
299K
New prostate cancer cases in the US each year
1 in 8
Men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
Age 66
Average age at first diagnosis
98%
Five-year survival rate when caught early. Early detection changes everything.

Go for It

If you want to be proactive and increase your monthly ejaculation count, go for it. The easiest method is masturbation. Pick a start date. See what's realistic for your life. Maybe 21 is out of the question, but an extra five is completely doable. Nobody is keeping score except you.

And if you're looking to make ejaculating more fun for you and your partner, Popstar Volume + Taste was made for exactly this. When you improve the taste and volume of your finish, your partner may be significantly more enthusiastic about helping you hit your numbers. 

If you want recovery support for the more ambitious months, Popstar Reload Performance Booster supports energy, stamina, and recovery between rounds. Your prostate has goals. Your body deserves backup.

The Daily Stack
Production support meets recovery support
Volume + Taste
Daily foundation
Supports semen volume
Supports semen taste
Keeps the factory stocked
Doctor formulated
Reload
Recovery booster
Supports energy
Supports stamina
Supports recovery
For the ambitious months
Shop the Stack

Frequently Asked Questions About Ejaculation, Prostate Health, and Prostate Cancer

Does ejaculation reduce prostate cancer risk?

A major Harvard study found that men ejaculating 21 or more times per month had a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer than men reporting four to seven times. It's one of the most cited studies in sexual medicine and the association is real. What researchers cannot confirm yet is whether ejaculation itself causes the lower risk or whether other health factors among more sexually active men explain the difference.

What is the 21 orgasms study?

The Health Professionals Follow Up Study tracked nearly 32,000 men from 1992 to 2010 and found that those reporting 21 or more ejaculations per month had meaningfully lower rates of prostate cancer. The study was published in European Urology and is one of the largest observational studies on the topic. It's interesting data. It is not a monthly prescription from your urologist.

How often should men ejaculate for prostate health?

There is no officially prescribed number. The Harvard study found benefits at 21 times per month compared to four to seven, but that doesn't mean you need to hit 21 to support prostate health. Regular ejaculation, whatever that means for your lifestyle and libido, appears more relevant than trying to optimize a specific number.

Does masturbation count toward ejaculation frequency?

Yes. Researchers studying ejaculation frequency include masturbation alongside partnered sexual activity. The biological event is the same regardless of how it happens. Your prostate does not ask for relationship status.

Does frequent ejaculation affect semen volume?

Yes temporarily. Your prostate and seminal vesicles need time to replenish fluid between ejaculations. More frequent sessions mean less time to restock, which can reduce the volume of individual ejaculations. Longer gaps between sessions generally produce more volume. Hydration, nutrition, and supplements like Popstar Volume + Taste can support the production side of the equation.

Does ejaculation improve sperm quality?

Some research suggests it might. One study found that 80 percent of men who ejaculated daily for seven days showed an improvement in sperm quality, which researchers linked to reducing the buildup of older sperm with DNA damage. That said, fertility advice is highly individual and anyone trying to conceive should follow guidance from their healthcare provider or fertility specialist.

Does ejaculation affect testosterone?

Normal ejaculation has not been shown to cause meaningful long-term testosterone depletion. The idea that orgasms drain testosterone or deplete masculinity is a myth that refuses to die. Testosterone levels are influenced by age, sleep, body composition, health conditions, and medications, not by how often you finish.

Can ejaculating too much cause problems?

There is no universal maximum. Frequency becomes relevant when sexual activity causes physical discomfort, skin irritation, pelvic pain, or begins interfering with responsibilities or relationships. If everything feels fine and your routine fits comfortably into your life, the specific number matters much less than how your body is responding.

Does ejaculation help with stress and sleep?

Many people feel more relaxed or sleepy after orgasm, which is partly why your partner looks unconscious approximately six minutes after sex. Orgasm involves a release of endorphins, oxytocin, prolactin, and other neurochemicals associated with relaxation and reward. It is not a clinical treatment for anxiety or insomnia, but it is a very enjoyable addition to an evening routine.

When should I see a doctor about prostate health?

Talk with a healthcare provider if you experience persistent difficulty urinating, a weak stream, frequent or urgent urination, nighttime bathroom trips, pelvic discomfort, blood in urine, or recurring blood in semen. You should also discuss prostate cancer screening with your doctor based on your age, family history, and personal risk factors. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes.

Does Popstar Volume + Taste help with ejaculation frequency goals?

Volume + Taste supports semen volume and taste as part of a consistent daily routine. It is not a prostate cancer prevention product. What it does is support the production side of your sexual wellness routine, which matters more when ejaculation frequency goes up and your body needs consistent nutritional support to keep up.

What does Reload Performance Booster do?

Reload supports energy, stamina, and recovery as part of the Popstar routine. When ejaculation frequency is higher, recovery becomes more relevant. Reload does not eliminate the refractory period or override human biology, but it supports the conditions that make recovery easier. Pair it with Volume + Taste for a complete daily stack.

Dr. Brian Steixner

Dr. Brian Steixner

Dr. Brian Steixner is a board-certified urologist and an expert in men’s sexual medicine. He completed his General Surgery and Urology training at The University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the busiest and most comprehensive programs in the nation. During his career, Brian has treated thousands of men with sexual health issues including male factor infertility.

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez is a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine and specializes in the management of male and female sexual dysfunctions. He completed his medical education at Columbia University and his urological residency at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Throughout his career, Dr. Gonzalez has focused on advocating for sexual health and providing improved healthcare to the LGBTQ+ community.