Prostate Massage: Overview, Benefits, Risks, and More

A prostate massage is when a finger is put into the rectum to stimulate the prostate gland to help release fluid. It's usually done during sex to enhance pleasure.

Healthcare providers do not recommend prostate massage to treat medical conditions, but some people say it helps with symptoms of an enlarged prostateerectile dysfunction, and difficulty urinating.

This article will cover how prostate massage is done, the side effects and risks, and how to prepare to give and receive a prostate massage.

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Click Play to Learn How to Give a Prostate Massage

This video has been medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO.

What Is the Purpose of Prostate Massage?

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Prostate

Sebastian Kaulitzki / Science Photo Library

The goal of prostate massage is to release extra seminal fluid (the fluid that mixes with sperm to make semen) from the ducts of the prostate gland. Many people use prostate massage during sex.

Healthcare providers do not recommend prostate massage as a treatment for urologic conditions, but some people feel it helps with inflammation, urination, and other symptoms related to their prostate.

The prostate gland is located between the bladder and the root of the penis. It makes seminal fluid to provide nutrients to sperm and transport them during ejaculation. The urethra (the tube through which urine and semen exit the body) runs through the center of the prostate.

Certain prostate conditions may benefit from prostate massage, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate that happens with age. The prostate is usually the size of a walnut, but in people who are in their 60s or older, the organ can get as large as a plum or even bigger.

If the prostate gland gets large enough, it can compress the urethra and lead to urinary problems such as:

  • Peeing eight or more times per day (urinary frequency)
  • The inability to delay urination (urinary urgency)
  • Frequent urination at night (nocturia)
  • Trouble starting a urine stream
  • A weak or interrupted urine stream
  • Dribbling at the end of urination

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostate inflammation can be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a bladder infection or brought on by vigorous bicycle or horseback riding or the use of a urinary catheter.

For some people (especially older males) prostatitis happens for no known reason. Prostatitis can clear up on its own (unlike BPH, which is a progressive condition). However, some people may have prostatitis that keeps coming back (recurrence).

Symptoms of prostatitis include:

  • Urinary frequency or urgency
  • Inability to empty the bladder fully (urinary retention)
  • Trouble starting a urine stream
  • A weak or interrupted urine stream
  • Dribbling at the end of the urine stream
  • Pain in the groin, lower abdomen, or lower back
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Using Prostate Massage During Sex

Prostate massage is often used during sexual activity. The prostate gland is sometimes called the "male G spot." 

The prostate, penis, and urethra are all attached to a group of nerves called the prostatic plexus that are activated during orgasm.

Massaging the prostate gland with a finger (manually) or during anal sex is thought to enhance sexual pleasure.

What Are the Benefits of Prostate Massage?

There is not much evidence to show any benefits of prostate massage for treating medical conditions.

One study published in the journal Open Urology and Nephrology reported that 115 males with BPH experienced an improvement in symptoms after using a prostate massage device.

However, the study's findings were limited because there was no control group, and no medical tests or exams were done. Instead, the researchers used questionnaires that were filled out by the participants.

Some people claim that prostate massage can treat conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED). Sometimes, medications used to treat BPH may lead to ED. 

While prostate massage may enhance the intensity of ejaculation, there is no evidence that it can treat ED.

Possible Side Effects of Prostate Massage

The tissues lining the prostate and rectum can easily get cut or torn. Massaging the prostate too hard can lead to soreness. 

For example, 8.3% of participants in the study described above reported discomfort after having a prostate massage.

It’s important to avoid injuring the prostate. The thin membrane covering the prostate (the prostatic plexus) is full of nerves that serve the two sponge-like chambers made of erectile tissue that run the length of the penis (corpora cavernosa).

Massaging the prostate too hard can damage nerves in the corpora cavernosa, and lead to pain and erectile dysfunction.

A prostate massage that's too rough can cause rectal bleeding, which increases a person's risk for a bacterial infection. It can also aggravate hemorrhoids.

Contraindications and Risks

Some people should not have a prostate massage, including:

  • People who have acute bacterial prostatitis. Prostate massage increases inflammation and could make the bacteria spread to the urethra, other parts of the urinary tract, as well as the bloodstream.
  • People who have fissures or hemorrhoids. A prostate massage can cause bleeding and increase the risk of infection.
  • People who do or might have prostate cancer. A prostate massage could cause tumor cells to break off and spread to nearby tissues. Some evidence has suggested that having a prostate massage before some tests for prostate cancer could increase the sensitivity of the test, making it more likely that cancer will be detected. However, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test should not be done right after a prostate massage, as doing so could lead to false-positive results.

Preparing to Receive a Prostate Massage

Some people consider prostate massage a pleasurable sexual practice. You can do it on your own or with a partner. You can also use a prostate massager.

There are some things you should do before you get a prostate massage. To prevent injury or discomfort from a prostate massage:

  • Trim and file your fingernails to prevent scratches, cuts, or tears to the rectum or prostate.
  • Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before doing a prostate massage.
  • Apply plenty of silicone or water-based lubricant (ideally fragrance-free) to help prevent rectal damage or discomfort.
  • Consider wearing latex or nitrile gloves for added protection.
  • Perform a light douching to remove fecal matter from the rectum before the massage.

How to Give a Prostate Massage

If you’ll be getting a prostate massage for sexual purposes, it will help to become aroused first. When you’re aroused, the prostate gland will move into a slightly upward and backward position as your penis becomes erect.

From there, here’s how to give a prostate massage:

  1. Apply lube liberally around the anus.
  2. Insert an index finger slowly into the anus up to your first knuckle.
  3. Start masturbating (or have your partner start).
  4. Pull your finger out and re-apply the lube.
  5. As you or your partner continues to masturbate, place your finger back into the anus, this time up to your second knuckle.
  6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have inserted your finger up to the third knuckle.
  7. Once your finger is fully inserted, feel for a rounded lump about 4 inches inside the rectum, up toward the root of the penis. This is the prostate.
  8. Gently massage the prostate in a circular or back-and-forth motion using the pad of your finger. You can also apply gentle pressure for seven to 10 seconds, again with the pad of your finger rather than the tip.

Getting a Medical Prostate Massage

A few small studies of the effects of prostate massage performed by a healthcare provider have shown it might be beneficial as a therapy for chronic prostatitis when it’s paired with antibiotics.

It can be challenging to find a trained healthcare provider who can give a prostate massage. You should start by asking a provider that specializes in male reproductive health (urologist).

These healthcare providers are trained to do a digital rectal exam to check the prostate for cancer and other abnormalities. 

Most regular massage therapists do not offer prostate massage, but you might be able to find a certified prostate massage therapist to work with. You may also want to look for someone who is trained in tantric sex practices to do prostate massage. 

Summary

There is very little evidence that prostate massage is an effective therapy for prostatitis, enlarged prostate, or other health conditions that affect the prostate. Some people use them as a part of sexual activity. 

If you want to try prostatic massage, know that it has risks. Do not have a prostate massage if you have bacterial prostatitis, prostate cancer, fissures, or hemorrhoids.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a prostate?

    The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that helps make semen. It is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, a tube that carries urine and semen.

  • Do women have a prostate?

    Not exactly, but females do have glands that are considered a counterpart to the male prostate. They are called Skene's glands and are located on either side of the urethra. It is believed that the glands secrete a substance that acts as both an antimicrobial to prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI) as well as a lubricant for the urethra.

  • Does an enlarged prostate affect a man sexually?

    It can. An enlarged prostate can cause urinary symptoms that are associated with sexual problems including reduced libido, difficulties with erections, and less sexual satisfaction. In general, the worse a person’s prostate symptoms are, the worse their sexual dysfunction will be.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Emily Morse, PhD

By Emily Morse, PhD
Emily Morse, PhD, is a sex and relationship expert and host of the podcast Sex with Emily. Emily has helped struggling couples achieve the sex and relationships they desired in order to maintain happiness and longevity.