Ever thought that a lack of sexual activity could be more than just an emotional burden? According to a recent study, it might actually shorten your life.
Researchers have found that women aged 20 to 59 who engage in sex less than once a week are 70% more likely to die from any cause within five years compared to those who have sex more frequently.
The research team, based at Walden University in Pennsylvania, analyzed a vast dataset from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
They pulled together national survey data from 14,542 men and women, which included information on depression, obesity, ethnicity, and sexual activity.
Participants were asked about their sexual activity over the past year, with options ranging from “never” to “365 times or more.”
The study found that about 95% of the participants had sex more than 12 times a year, with 38% having it at least once a week.
The researchers matched this data with death records up to 2015 to determine mortality rates.
They discovered a significant increase in mortality risk—197% higher—for individuals with low sexual frequency combined with depression, compared to those with just depression.
Dr. Srikanta Banerjee, the lead author, explained that while high sexual frequency seemed to alleviate the harmful effects of depression for women, this benefit didn’t extend to men.
He suggested that sex might be particularly effective in combating the severe impact of depression on women’s health.
Implications for Men and Women
Interestingly, the study also found that for men, having too much sex might be detrimental.
Men with high sexual activity were six times more likely to experience increased mortality compared to their female counterparts.
This finding remained consistent even after accounting for various health, behavioral, and demographic factors.
Dr. Banerjee emphasized that while regular sexual activity appears beneficial for cardiovascular health, it’s crucial to understand that its impact varies by gender.
The study’s results suggest that addressing sexual frequency could potentially help address other health disparities.
Conclusion
So, while it seems clear that maintaining a regular sexual activity might be beneficial for women’s health, the picture is more complex for men.
This study highlights the intricate ways in which sexual activity and health intersect, and it might prompt more research into how these factors interact.
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