A recent Japanese study has uncovered a potential link between low sexual interest and an increased risk of premature death in men.
Drawing on health data from over 20,000 participants aged 40 and above, researchers found that men who reported little or no interest in sex had a significantly higher risk of dying during the study period.
Importantly, this elevated mortality risk persisted even after adjusting for various contributing factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, obesity, and pre-existing health conditions.
This suggests that the lack of interest itself may be an independent risk factor.
As the researchers from Yamagata University noted: “Based on our results, we suggest that lack of interest itself contributes to an increased risk of all-cause mortality, independent of established risk factors in men over 40 years old.”
The study, published in PLOS One, also found a striking association between low libido and cancer-related deaths.
Men who expressed no interest in sex were 72% more likely to die from cancer, though they were not more likely to develop the disease initially.
Women, despite being more likely to report a lack of sexual interest, did not show a corresponding increase in mortality risk.
Researchers speculated that psychological well-being might play a role in these findings.
Men with diminished libido were more likely to experience emotional distress, report less laughter, and lack ‘ikigai,’ a Japanese term referring to a sense of purpose or reason for living.
The researchers stated: “We speculate that maintaining sexual interest may be related to positive psychological well-being and ‘ikigai,’ especially among men.”
However, they emphasized the need for further research to explore these potential mechanisms.
This is not the first study to link sexual activity with health outcomes.
A British study involving over 5,700 participants over 50 found that men with lower levels of sexual activity were 63% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 41% more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, per MailOnline.
Dr. Lee Smith, from Anglia Ruskin University, suggested that the physical activity involved in sex may help explain the health benefits: “It is important to remember that it is a form of physical activity… which burns around 3.6 calories a minute.”
Other studies have shown that frequent e***ulation may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, while regular sexual activity has been linked to better heart health, improved mood, and a stronger immune system.
Still, experts caution that low sexual activity could be a symptom of underlying health issues, rather than a direct cause of increased mortality.
