Nigerian Doctor’s 21-Times Sex Advice Sparks Fierce Debate on Prostate Cancer Prevention

A couple kissing in bed

Following a provocative recommendation by Lagos-based physician, Dr. Rasheed Abassi, who suggested that men should have sex 21 times every month to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. The Chief Medical Director of Heritage Men’s Clinic made the statement during a health awareness campaign, insisting that frequent ejaculation can prevent prostate enlargement and lower cancer risk. What made his advice even more contentious was his recommendation that men whose wives cannot meet the target should consider engaging with a side chick to make up the shortfall.

Dr. Abassi’s comment quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some men welcomed the idea, others—alongside many women and health professionals—condemned it as reckless, misleading, and socially dangerous. According to him, men must prioritize their health above social expectations, adding: “I understand that women want to protect their homes and finances, but men also need to protect their lives. If your wife cannot help you hit 21 times a month, get a side chick on a contract. Let her know her place—no drama, no disruption at home.” He even suggested that in some cases, women deliberately encourage their husbands to seek mistresses in the name of health preservation and argued that men in polygamous homes live longer.

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This controversial claim split opinions. For some, it was a bold assertion of men’s health rights, while for others, it was a dangerous endorsement of infidelity disguised as medical advice.

Among ordinary Nigerians, reactions varied widely. Jerry Awele, a 42-year-old married man from Delta State, admitted that the recommendation resonated with him. He explained that his wife’s “limited libido” often left him unsatisfied, so he turned to a side chick for what he called balance. “My wife is a good woman, but our libidos don’t match. When she’s tired or uninterested, I go to my side chick. That doesn’t mean I love my wife any less,” he said. On the other hand, 37-year-old Fidelix Ejim rejected the doctor’s theory, emphasizing that satisfaction and intimacy with one’s wife mattered more than counting sexual encounters. “We don’t count how many times, but when we do it, we go all in. I don’t need another woman to meet a quota,” he stated.

For some, like 50-year-old Rafiu Babatola, the demands of work and daily stress made the idea impractical. “With work stress and bills, it’s not about numbers. Intimacy is about love, care, and mutual understanding, not targets,” he told reporters. Similarly, bricklayer David Iwunze dismissed the idea as unrealistic in Nigeria’s economic climate. “I’ve gone four months without touching my wife. With the kind of hustle we face daily, that advice is laughable,” he remarked.

Women responded even more critically. Newlywed Nkem Ndupu condemned the suggestion outright, warning that it could encourage infidelity, destroy homes, and in extreme cases, lead to violence. “Some people take it too far and end up trying to eliminate their partners. I won’t even entertain the idea,” she said. Another woman, Mrs. Blessing Okpara, also criticized the claim, calling it both unrealistic and harmful. “Men in their 40s aren’t the same as when they were 25. Many are already struggling to meet the demands of life. This type of advice only puts more pressure on marriages,” she argued.

Amid public outrage, medical professionals stepped in to clarify the facts. Consultant Urologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Rufus Ojewola, acknowledged that prostate cancer is indeed a growing health concern among Nigerian men, especially those above 50, but he refused to endorse the 21-times theory. He stressed that while lifestyle may play a role in overall health, there was no scientific consensus that frequent sex alone could prevent prostate cancer.

Adding to the debate, Dr. Anne Calvaresi, Chair of the Urology Care Foundation’s Prostate Health Committee in Philadelphia, explained that while some studies suggest frequent ejaculation may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, the evidence is not yet conclusive. “Lifestyle, genetics, and age are bigger factors. Ejaculation might help flush out harmful substances in semen, but more studies are needed,” she said. Supporting this, a publication in the National Library of Medicine noted that men who ejaculated at least 21 times monthly had a 20 percent lower risk of prostate cancer. However, researchers cautioned that this link might be circumstantial, connected to other healthy lifestyle choices rather than ejaculation alone.

Meanwhile, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a UK-trained urologist and expert in minimally invasive surgery, dismissed the claim altogether. “No amount of sex will prevent prostate cancer. If that were the case, we’d all become gigolos,” he argued. He emphasized that the three major risk factors remain age, race, and family history. “Tomatoes, soursop, and other so-called miracle foods won’t do it either. The only real prevention lies in early screening and understanding your genetic risk,” he advised.

The debate highlights a growing concern about how health information is communicated to the public in Nigeria. Experts warn that while promoting men’s health is essential, reckless advice that encourages infidelity or unrealistic expectations can have damaging social consequences. Prostate cancer is indeed one of the leading health threats to Nigerian men, with increasing cases reported each year. However, most professionals insist that the focus should be on raising awareness about screening, regular checkups, and healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced nutrition, exercise, and avoiding smoking.

Dr. Abassi’s comments may have sparked conversation about men’s health, but critics say they risk undermining the sanctity of marriage and fueling distrust in homes. As the backlash continues, the controversy underscores the need for a careful balance between medical guidance and social responsibility, ensuring that health education empowers people without destabilizing families and communities.