Sex study in Japan concludes interest in making love can add years to a man’s life
- Nine-year study concluded that the death rate was significantly greater in males who lacked sexual interest than in males who had sexual interest
- In contrast, however, the study found no link in the female subjects between sexual interest and the risk of death
Scientists at Yamagata University conducted a nine-year study that tracked around 21,000 participants in a range of areas, including their medical histories and stress levels. The participants, both men and women, came from seven cities across Yamagata Prefecture, and were all 40 or older.
The research team, led by medical school professor Dr Kaori Sakurada, determined that 8.3 per cent of the more than 8,500 men and 16.1 per cent of the roughly 12,400 women who took part had no interest in the opposite sex. A total of 356 men and 147 women died during the nine-year research study.
By examining the data, Sakurada’s team found that 9.6 per cent of the men who expressed no interest in the opposite sex died over the nine years, but a mere 5.6 per cent who had said they were still interested in women died over the same time period.
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After adjusting for age, health, education, marital status, frequency of laughter, and stress levels, the risk of all-cause mortality was “significantly greater in males who lacked sexual interest than in males who had sexual interest”, the study said. It added that in men, a lack of sexual interest showed an increased risk for cancer mortality.
“Precisely how a lack of sexual interest impacts on health and longevity remains unknown, although several possibilities can be considered,” the study said, adding that male lack of interest may be related to unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, drinking and diabetes.
In contrast, however, the study found no link in the female subjects between sexual interest and the risk of death.
Communicating with those of the opposite sex, however old you are, could help you live longer
It concluded that encouraging men to sustain their interest in the opposite sex may increase their lifespan.
“Taking interest in the people around you, including the opposite sex, and interacting with them could help you remain mentally sound and have something to live for,” Sakurada said in an interview with the Asahi newspaper.
“Communicating with those of the opposite sex, however old you are, could help you live longer.”
