Does masturbation affect the formation or exacerbation of kidney stones?

Masturbation and Kidney Stones

Masturbation does not affect the formation of kidney stones but can actually help with the expulsion of existing distal ureteral stones. Research shows masturbation is as effective as tamsulosin for facilitating the passage of distal ureteral stones 5-10mm in size 1.

Effect of Masturbation on Kidney Stones

Stone Formation

Kidney stone formation is influenced by multiple factors, none of which include masturbation or sexual activity:

• Dietary factors play a major role in stone formation 2, 3:

  • Calcium intake (paradoxically, higher calcium intake reduces risk)
  • Sodium (increases urinary calcium excretion)
  • Animal protein (increases urinary calcium and uric acid excretion)
  • Oxalate-rich foods
  • Fluid intake (inadequate hydration increases risk)

• Metabolic factors that contribute to stone formation 3, 4:

  • Urinary pH (too high or too low depending on stone type)
  • Urinary calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and citrate levels
  • Underlying medical conditions

Stone Expulsion

Masturbation can actually be beneficial for existing stones:

• For distal ureteral stones (5-10mm) 1:

  • Masturbating 3-4 times per week increased stone expulsion rate to 81.4% compared to 43.2% in control groups
  • This effect was comparable to tamsulosin (80.5% expulsion rate)
  • Masturbation reduced the need for more invasive procedures like ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy

• Similar benefits observed with sexual intercourse in both men and women 5, 6:

  • Sexual activity 3-4 times weekly increased stone passage rates
  • Reduced analgesic requirements
  • Shortened expulsion time

Mechanism of Action

Masturbation likely helps with stone expulsion through:

1. Increased physical activity and rhythmic movement that may help dislodge stones
2. Smooth muscle relaxation in the urinary tract during sexual climax
3. Increased urine flow during and after sexual activity

Prevention and Management of Kidney Stones

The American Urological Association recommends 3:

1. Hydration: Drink enough fluids to produce 2-2.5 liters of urine daily (requires 3.5-4 liters of fluid intake)

2. Dietary modifications:

   • Maintain normal calcium intake (1,000-1,200 mg/day)
   • Reduce sodium intake to <2,300 mg/day
   • Limit foods high in oxalate
   • Reduce soft drink consumption

3. Medication therapy when appropriate:

   • Tamsulosin (0.4 mg daily) for medical expulsive therapy
   • Potassium citrate (0.1-0.15 g/kg daily) to increase urinary pH and citrate levels
   • Thiazide diuretics for hypercalciuria
   • Allopurinol for hyperuricosuria

Clinical Application

For patients with distal ureteral stones 5-10mm in size:

• Consider recommending masturbation 3-4 times weekly as an adjunct to standard therapy
• This approach is as effective as tamsulosin for stone expulsion
• Patients should still maintain adequate hydration and follow other standard recommendations

Caveats and Considerations

• Masturbation helps with expulsion of existing stones, not prevention of stone formation
• Benefits are primarily documented for distal ureteral stones of specific sizes (5-10mm)
• This approach should be used alongside standard medical therapy, not as a replacement
• Stone analysis should still be performed at least once to guide preventive measures 3