Prostate massage is the massage

Massage

Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...

 or stimulation of the male prostate

Prostate

The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals....

 gland for sexual stimulation or medical purposes.

The prostate takes part in the sexual response cycle

Human sexual response cycle

The human sexual response cycle is a four-stage model of physiological responses during sexual stimulation. These phases, in order of their occurrence, are the excitement phase, plateau phase, orgasmic phase, and resolution phase. The term was coined by William H. Masters and Virginia E...

, and is essential for ejaculation

Ejaculation

Ejaculation is the ejecting of semen from the male reproductory tract, and is usually accompanied by orgasm. It is usually the final stage and natural objective of male sexual stimulation, and an essential component of natural conception. In rare cases ejaculation occurs because of prostatic disease...

. Due to its close proximity to the anterior rectal wall, it can be stimulated from the anterior wall of the rectum

Rectum

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...

 or externally via the perineum

Perineum

In human anatomy, the perineum is a region of the body including the perineal body and surrounding structures...

.

Digital rectal examination (DRE)

Prostate massage is part of the digital rectal examination

Rectal examination

A rectal examination or rectal exam is an internal examination of the rectum such as by a physician or other healthcare professional.-Procedure:...

 (DRE) routinely given to men by urologists in order to look for nodules of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...

 and to obtain an expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) specimen for microscopy

Microscopy

Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye...

 and microbiological culture

Microbiological culture

A microbiological culture, or microbial culture, is a method of multiplying microbial organisms by letting them reproduce in predetermined culture media under controlled laboratory conditions. Microbial cultures are used to determine the type of organism, its abundance in the sample being tested,...

 to screen for prostatitis

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, in men. A prostatitis diagnosis is assigned at 8% of all urologist and 1% of all primary care physician visits in the United States.-Classification:...

.

Prostatitis

In the late 1990s, doctors tried prostate massage in conjunction with antibiotics for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis with uncertain results. In recent trials, however, prostate massage was not shown to improve outcomes compared to antibiotics alone. As a consequence of these findings, prostate massage is not used in the treatment of any medical disorder today, and prostate massage should never be performed on patients with acute prostatitis, because the infection can spread elsewhere in the body if massage is performed.

Risks

Vigorous prostate massage has been documented with consequences that are health- and life-threatening: periprostatic hemorrhage, cellulitis

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a diffuse inflammation of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin. Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, blisters,...

, Fournier's gangrene, septicaemia, possible disturbance and metastasis

Metastasis

Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...

  of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...

 to other parts of the body, and hemorrhoid

Hemorrhoid

Hemorrhoids or haemorrhoids , are vascular structures in the anal canal which help with stool control. They become pathological or piles when swollen or inflamed. In their physiological state they act as a cushion composed of arterio-venous channels and connective tissue that aid the passage of...

al flare-up.

Animal husbandry

Electroejaculation

Electroejaculation

Electroejaculation is a procedure used to obtain semen samples from sexually mature male mammals. The procedure is applied for breeding programs and research purposes in various species, as well as in the treatment of an ejaculatory dysfunction in human males....

 is a procedure in which nerves are stimulated via an electric probe, which is inserted into the rectum adjacent to the prostate. It is most commonly encountered in animal husbandry

Animal husbandry

Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.- History :Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years, since the first domestication of animals....

 for the purpose of collecting semen samples for testing or breeding.

Prostate massage as alternative therapy

Prostate massage was once the most popular therapeutic maneuver used to treat prostatitis. According to the Prostatitis Foundation, "it used to be, in the age before antibiotics (before about 1960 for prostatitis), doctors performed massage when their patients had prostatitis. In some cases it was enough to cure them of the disease. ... it fell out of common practice with the advent of antibiotics. It's much easier to prescribe a pill and send the patient home." However, according to WebMD, in many prostatitis cases antibiotics do not work because the swelling and inflammation caused by the infection closes off the acini (or sacs), causing the acini not to "shed" bacteria, and protecting the bacteria inside from antibiotics and the body's own immune cells.

Continuing research in emerging medical communities, published articles in non-medical circles, and anecdotal evidence on the Internet shows that there is still interest in the technique as alternative therapy.

In China, a 2008 survey of 627 urologists found that prostate massage is used prevalently as a nonpharmacological therapy for chronic prostatitis.

Prostate massage as sexual practice

Prostate massage is also used for sexual stimulation, since the male prostate is, for many men, a highly erogenous zone. In this context the prostate is sometimes referred to as the "male G-Spot

G-spot

The Gräfenberg Spot, often called the G-Spot, is a bean-shaped area of the vagina. Many women report that it is an erogenous zone which, when stimulated, can lead to strong sexual arousal, powerful orgasms and female ejaculation...

". Some men are able to achieve orgasm

Orgasm

Orgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...

 solely through stimulation of the prostate gland, such as prostate massage or receptive anal sex

Anal sex

Anal sex is the sex act in which the penis is inserted into the anus of a sexual partner. The term can also include other sexual acts involving the anus, including pegging, anilingus , fingering, and object insertion.Common misconception describes anal sex as practiced almost exclusively by gay men...

. Men who report the sensation of prostate stimulation often give descriptions similar to females' accounts of G-Spot

G-spot

The Gräfenberg Spot, often called the G-Spot, is a bean-shaped area of the vagina. Many women report that it is an erogenous zone which, when stimulated, can lead to strong sexual arousal, powerful orgasms and female ejaculation...

 and Anal stimulation.

Prostate massage is a common sexual practice in couples' sexual lives as many men achieve intense pleasure

Pleasure

Pleasure describes the broad class of mental states that humans and other animals experience as positive, enjoyable, or worth seeking. It includes more specific mental states such as happiness, entertainment, enjoyment, ecstasy, and euphoria...

 from it. Also, the advent of equipment and products for prostate massage encourages people to try it. Many couples though do not purchase such devices but use the finger for anal penetration and prostate stimulation to enhance the man's orgasm. The finger or the prostate massager is introduced into the rectum through the anus and the prostate gland is gently massaged. The prostate can also be simulated externally by pressing against the area behind testicles and near the anus, which is preferable by most men who are interested in prostate massages as it feels more comfortable and less painful.
The main problem in using the finger is that it may be too short to reach the prostate gland.

Prostate massage can be performed individually or with the help of a partner. Some men prefer being anally stimulated by their partner during foreplay or after intercourse. Men can excite their own prostates while masturbating using anal penetration devices.

There are a few safety matters concerning prostate stimulation and anal penetration. It is strongly recommended that plenty of lubricant is used with prostate massagers to prevent rectal lining damage. A smaller instrument or finger may be introduced gradually to minimize the discomfort that many may feel. Massagers may be used with or without a condom; however, because of the bacteria found in the rectum, if a condom is not used, it is very important to clean and disinfect the tool before use in another orifice or by a partner. A good method for this is gently placing toys in boiling water for 60 seconds and promptly removing them.

Equipment

A prostate massager refers to devices for massaging the prostate gland, mainly for sexual purposes.

The shape of a prostate massager is similar to a finger, since prostate massages are traditionally given digitally. They usually have a slightly curved head to effectively massage the prostate. Lubricant is usually inserted into the anus. A prostate massager should be used with care because of the sensitivity of the prostate. Correct use involves a medium to light repetitive massage

Massage

Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...

, or circular motion—the tool should not be thrusted.

Prostate massage equipment ranges from dildo

Dildo

A dildo is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for bodily penetration during masturbation or sex with partners.- Description and uses :...

s to butt plugs and G-Spot vibrator

G-spot vibrator

A G-Spot vibrator is a sex toy with male and female varieties. The female version of the device is built to massage the G-Spot, a region in the anterior vagina that many women report to be hypersensitive to sexual stimulation and capable of eliciting powerful orgasms...

s. When used in sexual practice, prostate massagers are commonly referred to as "prostate toys", "prostate sex toys", and "anal toys". These prostate massagers are inserted into the rectum

Rectum

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...

 through the anus and are intended to stimulate the prostate by simple massaging or vibrating. They are used during foreplay

Foreplay

In human sexual behavior, foreplay is a set of intimate psychological and physically intimate acts between two or more people meant to create desire for sexual activity and sexual arousal. Either or any of the sexual partners may initiate the foreplay, and they may not be the active partner during...

 by some couples.

Prostate stimulation is thought to produce stronger and more powerful orgasms similar to orgasms in women produced by G-spot stimulation and Anal simulation.

Prostate dildos are similar to the vaginal dildos, but they tend to be more curved, slimmer and with a softer texture. Some of the new prostate dildos on the market are driven by batteries

Battery (electricity)

An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...

 and offer vibration at the tip, which may be changed depending on the personal preference. Unlike the vaginal dildos, the anal prostate massager has a flared end to prevent it from being lost in the rectum.

Some men may prefer butt plugs, which are easy to use, can be inserted freely and left in place while the man's hands are free for other sexual activities such as masturbation

Masturbation

Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...

. Anal plugs come also in various shapes, sizes and designs and although they are not commonly intended to stimulate the prostate, newer models of more angled butt plugs are now developed to provide a more vigorous massage to the prostate. The new butt plugs have a more curved shape and they are slightly longer than the regular anal plugs. They commonly have a narrow neck and a flared end to prevent losing it in the rectum. Some of the newer models come with batteries and vibrations that increase sexual pleasure.

The G-spot vibrator can be used as a prostate massager as long as it is handled carefully and are provided with a safety base that will not allow it to be lost in the rectum. Vibrators for prostate stimulation usually have a pronounced curve at the end.

Prostate, or anal, toys may be covered with a condom for both safety (protection against nicks or rough edges) and hygiene (the condom makes a toy easier to clean). Additionally, the open end of a condom may remain outside the body and used to facilitate extraction of the object from the rectum.

External links

• Aneros, the only patented prostate massager

• Prostate massage, the medical procedure