The effect of a combination of prostatic massage and antibiotic plus anticongestive drugs on human semen quality and fertility

Abstract

A total of 123 patients suffering from chronic prostatitis and infertility were included in this study. No significant improvement in sperm quality was found following prostatic massage with (90 patients) or without (33) antiobiotic plus anticongestive therapy. There was no apparent change in the relative contribution on the prostate and seminal vesicle of the ejaculate, as judged by the concentration of calcium and fructose. Nor was the pregnancy rate increased. It is concluded that prostatic massage is of little or no therapeutic value in treatment of infertility.

PIP: 123 patients suffering from chronic prostatitis and infertility were studied to assess the effect of prostatic massage, with and without anti-inflammatory or anticongestive drugs, on fertility and semen quality. Seme samples were obtained by masturbation after 3 days of sexual abstinence. Parameters measured included volume, pH, calcium concentration, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. The latter 3 factors were summarized as a sperm quality score (SQS), with scores varying from 40 (bad) to 0 (perfect). In all of the patients participating, some degree of prostatic pathology was discerned. During massage treatments, 44/89 (49%) of the drug-treated (DM) and 14/32 (44%) of the nontreated (M) patients excreted prostatic secretion. Improvement in prostate status, as judged by the treating physician, occurred in 34/92 (37%) of the DM and 15/37 (41%) of the M group. No significant improvement in sperm quality was found following prostatic massage with (90 patients) or without (33) antibiotic plus anticongestive therapy. Calcium and fructose concentrations in seminal plasma were measured as indexes of prostatic and vesicular function, respectively; no apparent change in the relative contribution on the prostate and seminal vesicle of the ejaculate was apparent. The pregnancy rate was not increased with therapy; therefore, prostatic massage seems of no therapeutic value in infertility treatment.