# Will a man who 'cleans the pipes' regularly have fewer prostate and/or urinary problems? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 26, 2012, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159 "2012-05-26T11:15:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![benbo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@benbo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benbo1)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/1 "2012-05-26T11:15:16Z")
I’ve read Cecil’s column which mentions a consequence of not cleaning them, > **[Why do one’s loins ache after a session of nonclimactic arousal?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341637/why-do-one-s-loins-ache-after-a-session-of-nonclimactic-arousal)** But, have there been longterm studies affirming that either regular sex or self-gratification is healthier for a man, accounting for all other conditions (i.e. no heart problems that preclude excitement or sex)? ---
**Author:** ![benbo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@benbo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benbo1)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/2 "2012-05-26T11:22:37Z")
ignore, start of another thread ---
**Author:** ![Nightfall1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@Nightfall1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightfall1)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/3 "2012-05-26T13:09:05Z")
I’ve been a test study for this all my life… and I will continue the testing as long as my right hand works. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/4 "2012-05-26T14:32:47Z")
Good news! Frequency of … you know … is correlated with lower risk of prostate cancer: > **[Learn Why More Frequent Sex Reduces Your Prostate Cancer Risk](https://www.verywellhealth.com/reduced-risk-prostate-cancer-with-regular-ejaculation-2328515)** > > Explore the research that shows that the more often you ejaculate, the lower your risk is of getting prostate cancer. > [@](#): > > Leitzmann’s findings were that men who ejaculate between 13 and 20 times a month had a 14% lower risk of prostate cancer that men who ejaculated on average, between 4 and 7 times a month for most of their adult life. Men who ejaculated upwards of 21 times a month had a 33% lower lifetime risk of prostate cancer than the baseline group. So get busy! Er, so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/5 "2012-05-26T15:19:56Z")
Just a few weeks ago I had a major prostate enlargement crisis . . . an experience I NEVER EVER want to repeat. No matter how full my bladder, the only way I could produce more than a few drops of urine was to “clean my pipes” first. My partner was out of town, so I had to take matters into my own hands. So glad I can still do this at my age (66). ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/6 "2012-05-26T15:20:21Z")
Correlation or causation? ---
**Author:** ![benbo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@benbo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benbo1)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/7 "2012-05-27T01:23:08Z")
> [@toadspittle](#): > > Good news! Frequency of … you know … is correlated with lower risk of prostate cancer: > > [Frequent Ejaculation Lowers Prostate Cancer Risk](http://menshealth.about.com/cs/prostatehealth/a/ejaculate_ptate.htm) > > So get busy! Er, so to speak. > [@panache45](#): > > Just a few weeks ago I had a major prostate enlargement crisis . . . an experience I NEVER EVER want to repeat. No matter how full my bladder, the only way I could produce more than a few drops of urine was to “clean my pipes” first. My partner was out of town, so I had to take matters into my own hands. So glad I can still do this at my age (66). WooHoo! Good job, guys. Keep up the good work & I too will go forth with renewed purpose. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/8 "2012-05-27T01:51:22Z")
> [@Nightfall1](#): > > I’ve been a test study for this all my life… and I will continue the testing as long as my right hand works. Then you’ll switch to your left, right? ---
**Author:** ![benbo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@benbo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benbo1)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/9 "2012-05-27T02:03:15Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Then you’ll switch to your left, right? I do ‘The Stranger’ once in a while - left hand using the Western grip (thumb facing inward). Feels like some1 else is doing it.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/10 "2012-05-27T03:22:35Z")
> [@benbo1](#): > > WooHoo! Good job, guys. Keep up the good work & I too will go forth with renewed purpose. 🆒 Who’s going to be the control group for this experiment, though? ---
**Author:** ![benbo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@benbo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benbo1)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/11 "2012-05-27T03:25:17Z")
World of Warcraft nerds? ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/12 "2012-05-27T04:18:16Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Who’s going to be the control group for this experiment, though? I guess I could be part of it. Haven’t had sex in nearly 12 years or masturbated in nearly 7. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/13 "2012-05-27T09:49:24Z")
> [@toadspittle](#): > > Good news! Frequency of … you know … is correlated with lower risk of prostate cancer: > > [Frequent Ejaculation Lowers Prostate Cancer Risk](http://menshealth.about.com/cs/prostatehealth/a/ejaculate_ptate.htm) > > So get busy! Er, so to speak. following this formula…i have 0% chance of PC 😉 ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/14 "2012-05-27T10:02:32Z")
Here’s what the author of the aforementioned study has to say in a later paper on factors contributing to or lowering risks for prostate cancer: > [@](#): > > More recently, ejaculation frequency > was found to be inversely related to prostate cancer risk > in a prospective study (RR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.51–0.89, > for $21 vs 4–7 ejaculations per month), which was > confined to nonadvanced prostate cancer, while no > association was observed for advanced prostate cancer. > **Although there is biological plausibility for an inverse > association between ejaculation frequency and prostate > cancer risk**, ie, elimination of chemical carcinogens and > toxins from the prostate or alteration of the composition > of prostatic fluid through sexual activity, **additional > prospective information is required before firm conclusions > can be drawn**. > **[Risk factors for the onset of prostatic cancer: age, location, and behavioral...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22291478/)** > > At present, only three risk factors for prostate cancer have been firmly established; these are all nonmodifiable: age, race, and a positive family history of prostate cancer. However, numerous modifiable factors have also been implicated in the... ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/15 "2012-05-27T11:16:09Z")
My neighbour had a friend (in his late 60’s) who had a theory if you had a tug a few times a day you would never have a problem. I don’t think he ever was really worried about his prostate. I think he liked the medicine. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/16 "2012-05-27T12:10:49Z")
> [@toadspittle](#): > > Good news! Frequency of … you know … is correlated with lower risk of prostate cancer: > > [Frequent Ejaculation Lowers Prostate Cancer Risk](http://menshealth.about.com/cs/prostatehealth/a/ejaculate_ptate.htm) > > So get busy! Er, so to speak. So what is the percentage for people who ejaculate 60 or more times a month? I mean, I’ve heard of people doing that…from a friend. ---
**Author:** ![Nightfall1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@Nightfall1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightfall1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/17 "2012-05-31T18:36:06Z")
Then you’ll switch to your left, right? Of course. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/18 "2012-05-31T18:43:53Z")
Aw, shoot. But it feels better when you wait longer between each… er, session! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/19 "2012-05-31T19:08:19Z")
can’t…talk…now…am…worrkingg…ooonnnn…cccccuuurrrrrreeeee…fffooooooooooorrrrrr…CCCCCCAAAAAANNNNNCCCCCCEEEERRRR!!! ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159/20 "2012-05-31T19:13:10Z")
[hands **Czarcasm** a hefty wad (heh) of tissues] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-man-who-cleans-the-pipes-regularly-have-fewer-prostate-and-or-urinary-problems/623159.md?page=2)