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Man of Many
20-05-2025
- Health
- Man of Many
How Often Should Men Masturbate? An Expert Weighs In
If you have ever found yourself wondering how your intrapersonal sexual habits compare to others, you aren't alone. For most people, the act of self-pleasure is a deeply private one and often, it can be hard to tell whether your personal masturbation habits are in line with the population. The truth is that there is no official consensus on how often you should masturbate. Whether you masturbate regularly, not at all or somewhere in the middle, every person is different and understanding the role that sexual desire plays in your day-to-day life is critical for evaluating what is 'healthy'. If you engage in self-pleasure often and still lead a satisfying, healthy life, then there is no reason to alter your behaviour. However, if your compulsive masturbation is impacting your working life or relationships, you may need to consider seeing a sex therapist. The important consideration is acknowledging that masturbation as an act is inherently human. In fact, recent studies have shown that not only is self-pleasure commonplace in Western society, but that over two in five people use sex toys at least once a week. Image: Eleanor Hadley How Often Should You Masturbate? While you may have asked yourself how often you should masturbate, the answer is not always as straightforward as it seems. According to sensuality coach Eleanor Hadley, frequency is entirely dependent on your relationship with masturbation, your libido and how much partnered sex you're having. 'Everyone's body and needs vary greatly, so I would suggest doing what feels right for you. As long as you aren't noticing any patterns of dependence on masturbation, I believe a regular masturbation practice can have several health benefits,' she says. 'Self pleasure is a really healthy practice that can increase endorphins, improve sleep, reduce stress and enhance self-esteem and body image.' Recent studies have also supported the notion that there is no 'normal' frequency for masturbation. A recent survey, conducted by sexual wellness brand The Handy in conjunction with UCLA-trained psychiatrist Dr. Sham Singh, found that some men masturbate weekly, others daily, while certain respondents claimed to hardly masturbate at all. Importantly, all of these frequencies are considered within the normal range for men. 'Masturbation is a common and healthy part of human sexuality. However, how much you want to masturbate varies from one individual to another, depending upon his or her overall lifestyle, personal relationships, and state of mind,' Dr. Sham Singh said. 'But in general terms, for most individuals, a few sessions of daily masturbation does not go out of the ordinary at all in terms of being healthy and average.' Furthermore, Dr. Sham Singh suggested that masturbation may actually have some serious benefits. According to a 2016 study by the European Association of Urology, men who ejaculated 21 times a month or more were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This was compared to men who ejaculated four to seven times per month. While the statistics must be taken with a grain of salt, it does suggest that regular masturbation can be beneficial to overall health. Understanding Masturbation Shame Both Hadley and Dr. Sham Singh acknowledge that while masturbation is inherently normal, the collective shame that surrounds the topic can often make discussions about sexual health difficult. The taboo nature of self-punishment, Hadley reveals, can often be traced back to early childhood. 'Many men start masturbating quite young and depending on their upbringing, may have internalised shame or taboo around self-pleasure,' Hadley explains. 'Often it was something that they felt the need to hide or to do quickly so as not to get caught.' According to the expert, the fear of public ridicule for the behaviour can lead to an unhealthy relationship with self-pleasure and sexual intimacy. Hadley explains that this psychological phenomenon may not serve us well in the long run, both for our self-esteem and for future relationships. Instead, she suggests breaking the cycle and changing the way you view male masturbation. 'Just like any habit, the more that we get used to doing something the same way every time, the harder it is to break. For a lot of men, they are masturbating the same way they always have – essentially training themselves to reach orgasm in one type of way and often in a short period of time,' she says. 'Switching up your masturbation routine is a really great practice to get into in order to explore new sensations and to train yourself to last longer, too. One of the biggest misconceptions around male masturbation, and sex in general, involves the use of the phrases 'climax' and 'orgasm' Chatting with the sex expert, it's easy to get caught up in the prospect of shameless self-love, but in the real world, it's not always as simple as that. In fact, a lot of issues are spurred by a lack of knowledge. So, let's start at the top and dive into how to masturbate. What is the Difference Between Climax & Orgasm? One of the biggest misconceptions around male masturbation, and sex in general, involves the use of the phrases 'climax' and 'orgasm'. While we'd all like to believe we are killing it in the bedroom each and every time, whether that be by ourselves or with a partner, understanding the stark differences between the two is important. According to Hadley, if you understand your own body, you're much more equipped to satisfy someone else's. Climax – A climax refers to the peak point of pleasure, where your pelvic floor muscles involuntarily contract and is often short and sharp, like reaching the top of the mountain. You can make your way up, then quickly drop down again. – A climax refers to the peak point of pleasure, where your pelvic floor muscles involuntarily contract and is often short and sharp, like reaching the top of the mountain. You can make your way up, then quickly drop down again. Orgasm – An orgasm refers to the deep feeling of pleasure and relaxation you experience just before reaching that point. Most often, ejaculation occurs at the same time as orgasm, but they can actually occur independently of one another. And, as mentioned before, it is entirely possible to experience orgasm without ejaculation, with practice. Can You Masturbate Too Much? While it might seem improbable, masturbating too much is a common concern. As bodybuilders and fitness nuts know, even healthy habits can become unhealthy if done in excess or to an extreme. Sadly, this is also true of masturbation. Just how much is too much, however, varies from person to person. In a 2020 interview with MBG, sex and relationship therapist Shadeen Francis, LMFT, explained that some people masturbate several times a day with no negative outcomes. 'There is no objective measure of how much anyone should masturbate,' Francis said. 'Your health is an individual consideration. If your masturbation habits are causing you mental, emotional, relational, or physical distress, that is an indicator that you may be masturbating more than is currently healthy for you.' What Happens When You Abstain from Masturbation? While male masturbation is considered healthy and perfectly normal, not everyone indulges in the act. This may be due to religious or spiritual reasons, cultural concerns or simply because they just don't like it; this is also very common. In terms of benefits and risks, abstaining from masturbation has its anecdotal evidence, but nothing overly concrete. A 2003 study published in the Zhejiang University Press suggested that no masturbating may be linked to increased testosterone, however, the test was focused more on short term behaviour. A lot of men believe in the act of semen retention. By all accounts, this spiritual sexual practice sees people avoid ejaculation 'because they believe semen is a source of life force energy'. According to Hadley, there is no scientific evidence that reports semen retention being specifically beneficial or harmful. 'Many men choose to abstain from masturbation or more specifically, ejaculation, to enjoy longer sex when with a partner,' she says. 'This a tao and tantric practice referred to as semen retention in which you intentionally avoid ejaculation while energetically channelling your sexual energy in order to experience more powerful orgasms.' Image: Frenchie How to Improve the Intensity of Your Orgasm With the basics covered, we turned to sensuality coach Eleanor Hadley for advice on how to make the most of your masturbation time. Focusing on improving the intensity of your orgasms, Hadley revealed five key tips to incorporate into your routine. Here's what she had to say: 1. Take Your Time When you rush to the end goal, you'll often experience a short, sharp peak followed by a quick decline in pleasure. When you take your time to slowly build up before reaching your climax, you'll experience much more intense orgasms as a result. 2. Practice Edging This is a really great practice if you're struggling to slow down. When you feel yourself getting towards the point of no return, simply hold back a bit, slow down or move your focus elsewhere. Then start self-pleasuring again until you reach that point once more. Repeating this pattern multiple times will lead to far more powerful orgasms and help you last even longer. 3. Lube Up Make your self-pleasure sessions much more enjoyable by using plenty of natural lubricant, like Frenchie's Oh La La Love Lube. Using lube increases pleasure, mitigates the risk of abrasions due to friction on the delicate tissue of the penis, and intensifies orgasms. 4. Breathe Deeply Tuning in to your breath and taking long, slow, deep breaths during masturbation can help to channel your sexual energy upwards throughout the body, allowing for full-body orgasms. When you breathe deeply, you oxygenate your blood and increase blood flow, resulting in deeper pleasure. Rather than holding your breath at the point of orgasm, try visualising your breath moving up along your spine towards your head. With practice, this can lead to much more intense orgasms. 5. Explore Different Sensations Explore the world of blended orgasms by adding in different sensations to your usual masturbation routine. Try touching different parts of your body at the same time as stimulating your penis such as your nipples, neck, thighs, anus. Adding in a sex toy such as Frenchie's Double Entendre is a great way to add in more sensation and increase orgasmic potential. You can try turning the vibration on and holding it to the tip of your penis, curving the flexible body of the vibe around your shaft or exploring anal pleasure. Variety is the key to enhanced pleasure and heightened orgasms. How Often Should Men Masturbate FAQs How often should men be masturbating?' There is no official consensus on how often you should masturbate. According to sensuality coach, Eleanor Hadley, everyone's body and needs vary greatly. Provided you lead a satisfying, healthy life, then there is no reason to alter your behaviour. However, if your compulsive masturbation is impacting your working life or relationships, you may need to consider seeing a sex therapist. What is the difference between climax and orgasm? A climax refers to the peak point of pleasure, where your pelvic floor muscles involuntarily contract and is often short and sharp, like reaching the top of the mountain. Whereas an orgasm refers to the deep feeling of pleasure and relaxation you experience just before reaching that point. What happens when you abstain from masturbation? Many men choose to abstain from masturbation or more specifically, ejaculation, to enjoy longer sex when with a partner. This a tao and tantric practice referred to as semen retention in which you intentionally avoid ejaculation while energetically channelling your sexual energy in order to experience more powerful orgasms. There is no scientific evidence, however, that reports semen retention being specifically beneficial or harmful.
Euronews
09-04-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Testicular cancer: What are the signs to look out for and how do you check you have it?
ADVERTISEMENT Testicular cancer may be rare, but it's the most common form of cancer facing young men. It's also one of the most treatable cancers if it's caught early. Survival rates are high, with 95 per cent of men under age 45 surviving at least five years after diagnosis, European data shows. But because there are few symptoms, men may not realise they have testicular cancer, leading to delays in diagnosis that can make treatment more complicated. Part of the problem is that 'there is no self-examination culture' due to social 'taboos,' said Dr Hendrik Van Poppel, a urologist on the board of the European Association of Urology (EAU) and co-chair of the inequalities network hosted by the European Cancer Organisation. Related 'Who knew a pair of undies could hold so much power': New underwear labels to raise cancer awareness With Testicular Cancer Awareness Month in full swing, here's what you need to know to take charge of your health. Who is at risk of testicular cancer? Testicular cancer affects about one in every 250 men in Europe, and it's the most common cancer among those under age 45 . Diagnoses peak in the late 20s and early 30s. Some men are at higher risk of testicular cancer, including those with a family history of it, men with HIV or fertility problems, white men, and those with cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism is a condition where the testicles do not descend into the scrotum, which they normally do around the time a baby boy is born. About 5 to 10 per cent of men with testicular cancer had the condition, which can be fixed with surgery, as a child. What are the signs of testicular cancer? Van Poppel told Euronews Health that young men and teenage boys should do self-examinations while in a warm shower or bath, when the scrotum is relaxed. Check each testicle separately for lumps or changes. Related World Cancer Day: Forever chemicals in tap water might cause cancer to spread, study finds According to the EAU , most changes you might find during a self-exam are not cancer. But if you find a small, painless lump in the testicle it could be serious, so follow up with a doctor. Other warning signs include a testicle getting bigger or painful, or the scrotum feeling firm, hard, heavy, or achy, the UK National Health Service (NHS) said. Pain in your back or lower stomach, losing weight, having a cough or a hard time breathing or swallowing, and a sore chest can all be symptoms as well. What is life like after a testicular cancer diagnosis? Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the testicle, sometimes followed by chemotherapy or radiation. Some people opt to get an artificial testicle put in to replace the one they lost in surgery, according to the NHS. Related Men with higher quality sperm may have longer lifespan, new study finds Some testicular cancer treatments can affect fertility, meaning it could be harder to have children. Before beginning treatment, you may want to consider storing and banking your sperm, which could be used for fertility treatments in the future. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it can be harder to treat. In that case, doctors may offer more intensive treatments or palliative care to manage your symptoms as long as possible. ADVERTISEMENT The bottom line, Van Poppel said, is that testicular cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence. 'Many of these guys who are discovered late, even metastatic, can be cured,' Van Poppel said. 'But the main goal should be timely detection'.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Urine test could help spot recurring kidney cancer, researchers say
A simple urine test could accurately detect recurring kidney cancer in patients recovering from surgery for the disease, potentially sparing them from frequent follow-up scans, researchers suggest. The AUR87A study, led by Swedish researchers, included 134 patients who were treated at 23 hospitals in the UK, Europe, US and Canada. All had been diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) – the most common type of kidney cancer – which had not spread beyond the kidney and was treated with surgery. Most patients had their kidney completely removed. This type of cancer returns in about a fifth of people, usually within one to two years. Patients are monitored with CT scans, with their frequency based on the level of individual risk. For the study, the group continued to have CT scans as part of their standard monitoring after the operation, alongside a urine test every three months. These tests analysed the profiles of certain sugar molecules in the urine, known as glycosaminoglycans, and gave patients a score out of 100, known as the GAGome score. After 18 months, cancer had returned in 15% of the group. The study found the urine test correctly detected recurrence in 90% of these patients. It also correctly ruled out recurring cancer in a little over half the patients who remained cancer-free. Saeed Dabestani, associate professor at Lund University and consultant urologist at Kristianstad Central Hospital in Sweden, said: 'CT scans often pick up small lesions that aren't large enough to biopsy, and we currently don't know whether they are a sign of the cancer returning or not. 'Our only option is to do more frequent scans to monitor more closely, which is unpleasant for patients and often brings little benefit. 'If you have a urine test that can accurately show whether the cancer has actually returned then you can better assess risk levels and reduce the frequency of the scans required. 'Based on the results we have so far, it's likely that we could safely halve the number of scans that patients have to undergo.' The findings are being presented at the at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid and have been accepted for publication in the journal European Urology Oncology. Researchers are currently recruiting a second group of patients for the AUR87A study, which results expected towards the end of the year.
Associated Press
24-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Ractigen's RAG-01 Shows Promising Early Complete Responses in Phase I NMIBC Trial, Data Presented at EAU 2025
NANTONG, China and MELBOURNE, Australia, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ractigen Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering small activating RNA (saRNA) therapeutics, today announced the presentation of positive preliminary data from its ongoing Phase I clinical trial of RAG-01, a first-in-class saRNA therapy for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The data were presented in a late breaking session by Dr. Paul Anderson of The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia, at the 40th Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology (EAU 2025) in Madrid, Spain. The results demonstrate a remarkable 66.7% complete response (CR) rate in carcinoma in situ (CIS) patients within the two lowest dose cohorts, along with a favorable safety profile, in patients who have failed Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. RAG-01 is an innovative saRNA therapy designed to upregulate the p21 tumor suppressor gene, a key regulator of cell cycle progression that has been challenging to target with traditional therapies. Administered into the bladder via intravesical instillation using Ractigen's proprietary LiCO™ delivery technology, RAG-01 offers a novel approach to treating NMIBC, particularly in patients unresponsive to BCG therapy. The therapy has received FDA Fast Track Designation, reflecting its potential to address a significant unmet medical need in this patient population. About the Phase I Study The ongoing Phase I trial (NCT06351904) is an open-label, multi-center study employing a standard 3+3 dose-escalation design. The primary objectives are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of RAG-01. The study also assesses preliminary efficacy. As of the data cutoff date (December 15, 2024), nine patients had been enrolled across three dose cohorts: 30 mg, 100 mg, and 300 mg. The treatment regimen consists of a 6-week induction course of weekly instillations, followed by maintenance instillations at weeks 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72. Key Findings Presented at EAU 2025 Excellent Safety Profile: No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed at any of the dose levels evaluated. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were reported in 88.9% (8/9) of patients, but all were Grade 2 or lower in severity. The most frequently reported AEs (each occurring in 11.1% of patients) were urinary urgency, increased urinary frequency, and urinary tract infection. Targeted Drug Delivery and Activity: PK analysis revealed minimal systemic exposure of RAG-01, confirming the effectiveness of the intravesical administration and LiCO™ technology. Dose-dependent increases in RAG-01 urine concentrations were observed, ranging from 83.3 to 1,820 µg/ml at 2 hours post-instillation. Importantly, a dose-dependent increase in p21-positive urothelial cells was observed, confirming successful target engagement and on-mechanism activity of RAG-01. Remarkable Early Efficacy: In patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS), the complete response (CR) rate was 66.7% (2/3 patients). Furthermore, 66.7% (2/3) of patients with papillary tumors remained disease-free at the 3-month assessment. These promising efficacy signals were observed in the two lowest dose cohorts (30 mg and 100 mg), highlighting the potential of RAG-01 even at early stages of clinical development. 'These preliminary findings are incredibly exciting and validate the potential of our saRNA platform to address significant unmet needs in oncology,' said Dr. Long-Cheng Li, CEO of Ractigen Therapeutics. 'Achieving such a high complete response rate in the lowest dose cohorts, with a favorable safety profile, is a testament to the innovative science behind RAG-01 and its potential to become a transformative therapy for patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC.' Dr. Paul Anderson, the investigator of The Royal Melbourne Hospital, stated, 'The striking CR rates observed in these early cohorts are highly encouraging, particularly for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC patients who currently have limited treatment options. These results pave the way for further exploration of RAG-01's capabilities in this challenging disease.' Next Steps Ractigen Therapeutics plans to advance the RAG-01 clinical program by continuing dose escalation and initiating dose-expansion cohorts to further evaluate the therapy's safety, efficacy and determine the optimal dose. The company is committed to rapidly progressing RAG-01 through clinical development, with the goal of providing a groundbreaking new treatment option for patients with NMIBC. About NMIBC Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a common malignancy confined to the lining of the bladder. The standard first-line treatment is transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by intravesical BCG immunotherapy. However, a significant proportion of patients experience recurrence or become unresponsive to BCG, highlighting the need for new and effective treatment options. About RNAa RNAa is a clinically validated platform technology, pioneered by Dr. Long-Cheng Li and his team, that harnesses the power of small activating RNAs (saRNAs). saRNAs are double-stranded RNA oligonucleotides that target specific gene regulatory regions to selectively activate gene expression, restoring the production of therapeutic proteins. This innovative technology has broad therapeutic potential across a range of diseases, particularly where traditional therapeutic approaches have proven insufficient, including genetic disorders and cancers. About Ractigen Therapeutics Ractigen Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing next-generation RNA-based therapies. Leveraging its groundbreaking, clinically validated RNA activation (RNAa) technology, Ractigen utilizes small activating RNAs (saRNAs) to selectively upregulate the expression of therapeutically relevant genes. Supported by proprietary drug delivery technologies—including SCAD™, LiCO™ and GLORY™, Ractigen is rapidly building an innovative pipeline targeting significant unmet medical needs across oncology, genetic disorders, and beyond. Driven by a commitment to scientific excellence and patient-focused innovation, Ractigen aims to transform patient outcomes and improve lives worldwide through the transformative power of RNA therapeutics.
The Guardian
24-03-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Prostate cancer surgery breakthrough offers hope for erectile function
A more precise form of prostate cancer surgery nearly doubles the chances of men retaining erectile function afterwards compared with standard surgery, according to the first comprehensive trial of the procedure. Doctors in five UK hospitals assessed the surgical approach that aims to preserve crucial nerves that run through the outer layer of the prostate and are thought to be responsible for producing erections. Known as NeuroSafe, the procedure involves checking prostate tissue removed from the patient while the operation is under way. If the examination suggests the tumour has been removed, the nerve-containing outer layer of the prostate can be left intact, reducing the patient's risk of erectile problems. Prof Greg Shaw, the trial lead and a consultant urologist at University College London hospitals NHS foundation trust, said: 'This procedure gives surgeons feedback during the surgery to give them the certainty they need to spare as many nerves as possible and give men increased hope of recovering their sexual potency after their cancer is surgically removed.' Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in England, with 50,000 cases diagnosed each year. Worldwide, nearly 1.5 million men are diagnosed and 375,000 die annually. The disease is most common in over-50s and is often called a silent killer because it causes no symptoms in the early stages. Recent developments in robotic surgery have allowed doctors to perform precision 'nerve-sparing' operations in prostate cancer patients. This involves removing the diseased prostate while leaving the outer layers and the nerves running through them. However, doctors must be sure that no cancer cells are left behind, and this can be difficult to assess. If the cancer is advanced, surgeons will err on the side of caution and remove the prostate with its outer layers to reduce the risk of missing any tumour cells and the disease returning. In the NeuroSafe procedure, doctors remove the prostate while preserving as much nerve tissue around it as possible. Slices of the prostate are then frozen, stained and examined for cancer cells. If the tumour reaches the surface of the prostate, the outer layers and its nerves may need to be removed. But if the tumour stops short, the surgery is considered complete. The trial assessed 344 men with prostate cancer who had no history of erectile dysfunction. Half received the NeuroSafe procedure and half underwent standard surgery. A year later, 56% of men who had standard surgery reported severe erectile dysfunction, compared with 38% who had NeuroSafe surgery. Less than a quarter (23%) who had standard surgery reported no or only mild erectile dysfunction, compared with 39% who had the NeuroSafe procedure. Details were presented at the 2025 European Association of Urology congress in Madrid and are published in the Lancet Oncology. Dr Matthew Hobbs, the director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'Prostate cancer surgery is a life-saving option for lots of men, but it's a major procedure that can cause side-effects like erection problems. A major challenge we face is how to cure men but also ensure they can live life to the full afterwards. 'This study is promising and provides evidence that innovative types of surgery can reduce erectile dysfunction in some men. However, more research is needed to prove whether NeuroSafe is as effective as traditional techniques at delivering a complete cure. 'We also need to understand exactly which men could benefit from this new technique and, crucially, whether this technique could be delivered at scale across the NHS to make it accessible to men across the UK.'
