What Is a Prostate Massage?
Prostate massage is a way to empty fluids from your prostate ducts. This therapy might offer some health benefits, or your doctor might use it to diagnose a problem. But it’s not something doctors usually recommend or use for testing or treatment.
The prostate is a small gland about the size of a golf ball between the base of the penis and the rectum. Its main job is to make the fluid, also called sem*n, that helps sperm travel and survive.
Massaging the prostate empties your prostate ducts of that fluid. To do the procedure, your doctor will slide a gloved finger into your rectum, and then massage or press on the prostate from there. It may feel slightly uncomfortable, but it doesn’t take long.
Conditions Prostate Massage Might Help
Although studies are limited, prostate massage may be helpful in some medical situations and with some health conditions.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland. It can cause symptoms such as pain when you pee or ejacul*te and pain around your groin and pelvis.
A doctor might do a prostate massage to diagnose the condition. They can test the fluid that comes from your prostate ducts to see what’s causing the problem.
Although the most common treatments for prostatitis are antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prostate massage is another option. It can help ease pressure and swelling by releasing fluids that build up in the prostate. Small studies have found that massaging the area several times a week, along with taking antibiotics, can ease pain and pressure.
Diagnosing a medical condition
Sometimes, a doctor might do a prostate massage during a prostate exam. The purpose is to get some fluid that can be examined under a microscope to look for signs of an infection or other problem.
Erection problems
The main treatments for erectile dysfunction include medications, pumps, shots, and implants. Lifestyle changes that can help treat the condition include getting more exercise, eating a healthy diet, and doing pelvic floor exercises. Some people say they experience increased sexual pleasure and can ejacul*te more easily after prostate massage, though there isn’t scientific proof to back up those claims.
Urine flow
Your urethra -- the thin tube that drains your bladder -- is surrounded by your prostate. So, a swollen prostate can affect your urine flow. You might have a weak flow of urine or incomplete emptying after peeing (you may feel like you still need to go after you pee, but nothing comes out).
Prostate massage might ease swelling in the area, easing pressure on the urethra.
When Would a Doctor Give a Prostate Massage?
One of the main reasons a doctor will give a prostate massage is if they think you might have prostatitis. If you haveprostatitis, your prostate becomes swollen, inflamed, and painful. Massaging your prostate will cause it to release fluid into the urethra, the tube that empties the bladder. Your doctor will collect the fluid and send it to a lab. A lab technician will study the fluid under a microscope to look for signsof an infection or other problem that’s causing your symptoms.
Less often, a doctor might perform a prostate massage to treat prostatitis or an enlarged prostate. A few small studies show that prostate massage could help ease symptoms, especially when combined with other treatments.
How to Massage the Prostate
If you're interested in prostate massage, you can do it yourself (known as a manual prostate massage). Or, you can have a partner massage your prostate. The technique is simple, though it may take some practice. If you have prostatitis, ask your doctor if it’s OK for you to have a prostate massage. They may be able to teach you the proper massage technique.
Manual prostate massage
To massage your prostate, first get the equipment you’ll need, including anon-latex glove or condom and lubricant gel, such as K-Y Jelly.
Before you begin, it’s a good idea to empty your bowel and bladder. Put on the glove or slip the condom onto a finger. (If you choose not to use a glove or condom, be sure your fingernails are clean, well-trimmed, and filed.) Apply plenty of lubricant gel to the finger you will use. Then, follow these steps:
- Bend over a table or get down on all fours.
- Insert the lubricated finger into your anus.
- Feel around with the tip of your finger for your prostate, which will feel like a small ball.
- When you find your prostate, gently press on it for a few seconds, then release your finger.
- Repeat this process 5 to 10 times, in the same spot or different parts of the prostate, if possible.
- Some doctors prefer to use a stroking motion, moving the finger from the edge of the prostate to the center.
As an alternative, some people prefer an external prostate massage. Instead of inserting your finger into your anus, you stroke and apply pressure to the perineum, which is the small patch of flesh between your anus and genitals.
What to use for prostate massage
You or a partner can use a gloved and lubricated finger to massage your prostate. However, some people prefer to use a prostate massager device. You may be able to purchase a prostate massage device in a pharmacy, though they're also widely available online. Some prostate massagers vibrate. If you choose one of the latter, some doctors recommend choosing a device that produces sonic waves, which are vibrations made by high-frequency sounds that humans cannot hear.External prostate massagers are also available.
When shopping for a prostate massager, only purchase a reputable company's product that is specifically designed for this use. Some retailers sell sex toys that are marketed as prostate massagers, but may not be safe for this use. Pay attention to the material used and make sure your lubricant works with the massager. For example, don't use a silicone-based lube with a silicone massager, because it could wear down the material over time. Water-based lubricants work well with most products.
How to use a prostate massager
Use a prostate massager in a similar way that you would use a gloved finger to perform this procedure. First, apply plenty of lubricant gel to the tip of the massager. When you're in your preferred position (usually either bent over a table or on all fours), insert the tip of the massager into your anus. Gently probe with the massager until you find your prostate. Apply on-and-off pressure to your prostate with the tip as you would with a finger.
Devices are also available for external prostate massage. You sit on top of these devices, which apply gentle pressure to the perineum.
Prostate massage with a partner
Your partner may be willing to massage your prostate or you may offer to perform the procedure for them. If you’re receiving a prostate massage, you may want to wash your anus with gentle soap and water first. The technique for massaging a partner’s prostate is similar to performing a manual prostate massage. The person receiving the massage can bend over a table or get on all fours, though you can also try lying on your back. The person performing the massage inserts a well-lubricated finger (gloved or not) into the anus and finds the prostate, applying on-and-off pressure.
Prostate massage for sexual pleasure
Some people find prostate massage to be sexually arousing. A prostate massage may cause you to have an erection and even an org*sm, though you may not ejacul*te, which is entirely normal. If you decide to try prostate massage for sexual pleasure with a partner, the same rules apply: Apply plenty of lube to your finger or device and be gentle. Insert slowly, working your finger or device a few inches at a time, letting your partner get accustomed to the feeling. And be sure to communicate: If you’re receiving a prostate massage and want to stop for any reason, speak up.
Prostate Massage Risks
Some people choose to give themselves a prostate massage, whether for medical reasons or sexual pleasure. But there's a chance you can hurt yourself if you massage your prostate too roughly. It shouldn't be painful.
Also, while doctors may use prostate massage to produce fluids that help with diagnosing prostatitis, some people shouldn't have one. Specifically, if you have a severe form of prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection (called acute bacterial prostatitis), you shouldn't get a prostate massage, as it could make you very ill.
If you need a prostate massage for health reasons, it’s best to get it from your doctor, who knows the proper technique.
Takeaways
Prostate massage helps release fluid from the prostate ducts. A doctor may study this fluid under a microscope to diagnose prostatitis and other conditions. You might try prostate massage to help treat symptoms of prostatitis and enlarged prostate, though scientific evidence is limited. Even without a medical need, some people find prostate massage to be sexually arousing. You can learn to massage your prostate or have a partner do it for you, though it’s wise to check with your doctor first.
