A recent study has uncovered a startling connection between sexual activity and longevity, particularly among women.
Researchers found that women between the ages of 20 and 59 who engaged in sex less than once a week had a significantly higher risk of mortality compared to those who had sex more frequently.
According to the study, which analyzed data from 14,542 participants, women with lower sexual frequency faced a 70 percent higher chance of dying from any cause within a five-year period.
Scientists attribute this to increased levels of a specific protein linked to inflammation, which can negatively impact cells, tissues, and organs.
A research team from Walden University in Pennsylvania analyzed a comprehensive dataset from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to Mail Online. The dataset covered various health factors, including depression, obesity, ethnicity, and self-reported sexual activity.
Participants were asked about the frequency of their sexual activity over the past year, with responses ranging from “never” to “365 times or more.”
The researchers concluded that women who engaged in sexual activity more than once a week experienced health benefits. Regular sexual activity seemed to offer protective effects, including improvements in cardiovascular health, reduced heart rate variability, and increased blood circulation.
The study also looked into the impact of sexual activity on men but did not find the same correlation between frequency and mortality risk. However, an interesting finding emerged for men with very frequent sexual activity. These men were six times more likely to experience increased mortality compared to women with similar levels of sexual activity.
Lead researcher Dr. Srikanta Banerjee highlighted another significant finding related to mental health.
He noted that individuals experiencing depression but maintaining a higher frequency of sexual activity appeared to be less affected by the negative health consequences associated with depression.
“Individuals with depression but high sexual frequency don’t feel harmful effects of depression as much,” Dr. Banerjee explained.
Further analysis revealed that participants with both depression and low sexual activity faced an astonishing 197 percent increase in mortality risk compared to those who only suffered from depression.
This suggests that s*xual activity may play a role in mitigating some of the adverse effects of mental health conditions.
While the study emphasizes the potential health benefits of sex, researchers caution that the relationship is complex.
They acknowledge that overall health status can influence an individual’s ability to engage in sexual activity, meaning that poor health could be a contributing factor rather than just a consequence of low sexual frequency.
Additionally, researchers explored possible reasons why excessive sexual activity in men might lead to negative health outcomes.
One theory is that frequent sexual encounters elevate adrenaline and cortisol levels, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to cardiovascular complications over time.
“This shows that sexual frequency interacts with gender to increase mortality,” the study authors concluded. They suggest that by addressing sexual activity levels, other health disparities could potentially be targeted for intervention.
Ultimately, the findings indicate that maintaining a moderate and healthy level of s*xual activity may contribute to overall well-being, particularly for women.
While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these associations, the study provides compelling evidence that sex may play a more significant role in health than previously believed.
