The idea of massaging the prostate can be a priori put off some men. However, some therapists are convinced of its usefulness in the context of different male disorders.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland belonging to the genital tract of man.
- It has the shape of a chestnut measuring about 3 cm long and 4 cm wide.
- It is composed of two lobes separated by a furrow.
- It is placed in front of the rectum, just below the bladder.
- The urine passes through during urination. It contributes to continence, thanks to sphincters that avoid unexpected leaks.
- It also contributes to the production of seminal fluid, the main component of sperm.
Practice of prostate massage
The massage of the prostate is to make small pressure on the gland with the finger, internally. It therefore requires a rectal examination, which must reach the prostate, located approximately 7 or 8 cm from the entrance of the anus.
Good to know: a prostate massage can be practiced by a third person or alone: it is called self massage.
Prostate massage: in which cases?
The massage of the prostate is sometimes practiced for the sexual stimulation which it involves, the prostate being sometimes considered like the equivalent of the feminine point G.
But some believe that it may have therapeutic interest, the prostate being a sensitive gland and may be affected by different conditions. The massage could thus be useful to relieve some of them, like the chronic prostatitis bacterial and the adenoma of the prostate.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
Chronic bacterial prostatitis causes difficulty in urination, pain in the perineum, which can spread to the stock market or the penis. Prostatitis is said to be chronic when symptoms occur for more than 3 months.
The usual treatment is based on the administration of antibiotics, but in some cases their use is not sufficient to stop the infection and the symptoms persist after treatment. Some doctors have thus coupled this drug approach to the practice of massage of the prostate (which was the reference treatment before the use of antibiotics).
A study conducted on 73 men has shown that the combination of these two methods, the massages being performed 1 to 3 times a week, was beneficial in some men, making it possible to eliminate or reduce the signs of the disease (reference: Shoskes DA, Zeitlin SI. “Use of prostatic massage in combination with antibiotics in the treatment of chronic prostatitis“.
Note: the prostate massage should not be performed in case of acute prostatitis, to prevent the spread of infection and the occurrence of a toxic shock.
Adenoma prostate
The adenoma of the prostate is a benign condition very common in men around fifty: the gland increases in volume, it is also called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). This condition causes difficulty urinating, frequent cravings, a low intensity jet and the impression that the emptying of the bladder has not been complete.
The realization of massage of the prostate, by an osteopath in particular, will allow to reduce the edema and relax the tissues, which attenuates the associated symptoms.
Massages should not be practiced in cases of cancer of the gland, as they could contribute to the dissemination of diseased cells. Taking medical advice is therefore essential.
Prostate massage: precautions to take
The anus and rectum are fragile areas. A certain number of measures must be respected in case of self-massage:
- Use a disposable latex glove for hygiene reasons.
- Cut your nails short so you do not hurt yourself.
- Use a lubricating gel.
- Your actions should be gentle to avoid injury.
Note: a prostate massage can promote the development of anal fissures or hemorrhoids.
