Role of ejaculation in the treatment of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

Background: Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (NBP) is the most common pros tatitis syndrome. Prevention and cure are not possible because the cause of NBP is unknown. However, patients may benefit from supportive measures. Th e impact of the frequency of ejaculation alone on the course of NBP was eva luated in the present study. Methods: Thirty-four single male patients who avoided masturbation and extr amarital sexual intercourse for personal and/or religious beliefs and who d id nor respond to a clinical trial of doxycycline hydrochloride therapy (20 0 mg daily for 4 weeks) directed against mycoplasmas, chlamydiae and ureapl asmas were enrolled in the study. They were encouraged to masturbate regula rly at least twice a week and were re-evaluated at the end of a 6 month per iod, including a complete inquiry regarding their sexual function during th is time. Response was assessed by a symptom severity index. Results: Clinical and laboratory re-evaluation could be performed in 28 pat ients. Of 18 patients who adhered to the recommendations. two (11%) experie nced complete relief of symptoms, whereas six (33%) had marked improvement, six had moderate improvement and four (22%) did not benefit. III contrast, three of seven patients who masturbated less frequently reported partial i mprovement. Three patients who did not ejaculate other than during wet drea ms had a worse prognosis. Conclusions: Young men who are single and suffering from NBP must be inform ed about their illness in detail and, if they are not doing so, they should be encouraged to ejaculate regularly, for example by masturbation in the a bsence of a sexual relationship with a partner We believe that normal sexua l activity decreases the incidence of NBP in some cases.