This favorite male pastime can dramatically lower your risk of prostate cancer

Although taboo, pleasuring ones self has been found to be very good for male health. But how often does one need to "express self-love" so to speak in order to reap the benefits?  An article published on the Harvard Health Publishing website explains researchers' findings on the matter, so click on to find out!

A group of researchers at Harvard were wondering if there was a link between the frequency with which men release semen and their risk for prostate cancer.

As the Harvard website states, "Scientists do know that genetics plays a strong role (when it comes to prostate cancer), and they have sound evidence that diet and other lifestyle factors are also important." So, does sexual activity factor in?

Researchers at Harvard studied the data from 29,342 men in 1992 who ranged in age from 46 to 81. These participants shared the average amount of times they "finished" per month, including those from sexual intercourse, self-pleasure, and nocturnal emissions.

The men in the study also had to provide their estimations of how many times they "came" per month between the ages of 20-29, 40-49, and in the most recent year.

The study ran from 1992 until 2000, and the participants also provided researches with "comprehensive health and lifestyle data every two years until the study concluded."

The results were not what the researchers expected. They hypothesised that the more frequently men "finished", the greater the risk of prostate cancer. However, the results showed the opposite!

The men in the study who "finished" the most often had a lower chance of getting prostate cancer. As published on Harvard Health Publishing, the results found that the men who "came" 4-7 times per week over their lifetime had a 31% lower risk of prostate cancer.

Even more impressive is that the researchers claim that the results "held up to rigorous statistical evaluation" even lifestyle factors and the frequency of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing were accounted for.

Americans aren't the only ones to have the brilliant idea of studying the relationship between sexual activity in men and the risk of prostate cancer.

Australian researchers undertook a similar study, according to Harvard Health Publishing. The Aussies studied 2,338 men, evaluating how frequently the men "finished" independent of whether it was with a partner or alone.

The Australians highlighted that the preventative effect of frequent emissions was strongest when it occurred in young men, offering them greater protection against prostate cancer as they aged.

The Australian study also found that men who "finished" more had a lower risk of prostate cancer. The volunteers studied in Australia had a 36% less chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 70 if they averaged between 4.6 and 7 emissions a week over their lifetime.

In addition to the benefits of ejaculation in regard to cancer prevention, releasing semen also provides plenty of other health benefits for men.

According to Men's Health magazine, benefits include: improved sperm quality, a stronger immune system, a reduced intensity of migraines, better sleep, a reduction of stress and anxiety and a lower risk of heart disease.

So it seems there are many aspects of their health that men can "take into their own hands" so to speak...there is no need for a partner to reap these benefits after all!