Can Sex and Masturbation Prevent Prostate Cancer?

You may have heard of the prostate gland — part of the male reproductive system. It’s a small gland inside your body that makes fluid for your semen. This fluid gets carried out of your body when you ejaculate. 

Because your prostate is involved in ejaculation, it’s natural to wonder: When it comes to getting prostate cancer, does ejaculation frequency matter? In other words, does ejaculating affect the risk of getting prostate cancer? 

Here’s the short answer: It’s not clear. There’s some evidence that more frequent ejaculation might offer some protection against prostate cancer. But the reality is there isn’t enough research to say for sure. On the other hand, there’s clear evidence that sex does not cause prostate cancer. 

Read on for more information about the link between sex and prostate cancer, the research in this area, and some tips on what you can do to lower your risk of getting prostate cancer. Spoiler alert: It has very little to do with sex.

What causes prostate cancer?

There’s no one thing that causes prostate cancer. It’s linked to a lot of different factors — like your genes (family history), age, ethnicity, and even your diet and activities. 

You can read more about this in our GoodRx article on the leading causes of prostate cancer. 

Does frequent ejaculation protect you from prostate cancer?

It’s not clear. There’s some evidence that ejaculating a lot is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, but the evidence isn’t good enough to say for sure one way or another. 

The best evidence so far comes from a 2016 analysis of about 30,000 men. This analysis found that people who ejaculated at least 21 days every month in the past had a 20% lower chance of getting prostate cancer — compared with those who ejaculated 4 to 7 times a month. 

As you can imagine, this study had some flaws. One problem was that the study relied on people to remember how much they ejaculated. The study used a survey — rather than analyzing the participants’ sexual activity going forward over time. This presented a problem because, let’s face it, memory isn’t perfect.

Another issue concerned racial representation — the study mostly included white men. It also didn’t account for lifestyle factors that could influence prostate cancer risk. 

So while the study got a lot of mainstream attention, it’s not as clear cut as the headlines may make it seem. 

Does having a lot of sexual partners protect you from prostate cancer?

Again, it’s not clear. One 2014 research study found that men who had more than 20 female sexual partners in their life had a lower risk of getting prostate cancer. 

But a 2018 meta-analysis found the opposite — that the more female sexual partners someone had, the more their risk went up. 

The 2014 study also found that men who have sex with men (MWM), and who had 20 or more lifetime partners, had a higher risk of prostate cancer. MWM are more likely to get STDs, and it’s possible that there’s a connection between STDs and prostate cancer — though this hasn’t been proven. 

To sum it up: Despite the research in this area, it’s just not clear how your number of sexual partners affects your cancer risk. 

Does having a lot of sex cause prostate cancer?

The science is clear on this one — sex doesn’t cause prostate cancer. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, it’s a myth that having a lot of sex causes prostate cancer. 

In fact there’s some evidence that ejaculating a couple of times a week (or more) could actually decrease your risk for prostate cancer — though remember, the jury is still out on whether or not this is true.  

What factors increase the risk of prostate cancer?

The number one risk factor for prostate cancer is age. The older you are, the more likely you are to get prostate cancer — especially if you’re over 50. 

You’re also more likely to get prostate cancer if:

• You’re Black

• You have family members who have had prostate, breast, or ovarian cancer 

• You have a genetic mutation that’s associated with prostate cancer

• You’ve been exposed to environmental toxins like Agent Orange, insecticides, and bisphenol A

Lifestyle choices can also increase your risk, like smoking cigarettes, eating a lot of animal fat, and drinking more than the recommended daily limit for alcohol.  

How can I decrease my risk of getting prostate cancer?

There are a lot of things you can’t change — like your age, race, and family history. 

But you can take steps to lower your risk by: 

• Quitting smoking

• Eating nutritious foods, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables

• Cutting back on alcohol

• Cutting back on animal products and processed meats 

• Limiting your calcium intake

• Staying physically active

• Maintaining a healthy weight

If you’re over the age of 40, you should also have a conversation with your provider about whether prostate cancer screening is right for you. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts