The Effect of a Combination of Prostatic Massage and Antibiotic Plus Anticongestive Drugs on Human Semen Quality and Fertility

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.