While high libido causes difficulties in social life, low libido causes various problems. A study published in the journal PLOS One suggested that men with low libido are almost twice (1.82 times) likely to experience an early death.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIBIDO AND DEATH
For over a decade, researchers from Yamagata University studied more than 20,000 people in Japan — 8,558 men and 12,411 women — examining links between sexual interest and “all-cause” death, including cardiovascular and cancer. Analyzing medical records and survey responses, the study is considered one of the first to examine the relationship between libido and death.
PEOPLE WITH LOW SEXUAL WISH HAD VARIOUS PROBLEMS
“Although sexual activity and sexual satisfaction are considered beneficial for psychological health and well-being in older groups, the relationship between sexual interest and longevity has not been investigated,” the study authors said. Participants were asked to fill out sexual interest questionnaires during their health checkups. Those who reported a lack of sexual interest tended to be older, likely drank more, had diabetes, laughed less, had various psychological disorders, and had attained lower levels of education.
THEY DON’T ENJOY LIFE
The results showed that men over 40 with low libido were 1.94 times more likely to die from cancer and 1.36 times more likely to die from heart disease. Men with lower sex drives also reported lacking ikigai, a Japanese term for having a life worth living – a quality that some might describe as “enjoying life.”
BAD LIFE HABITS LOWER LIBIDO
Scientists believe that men’s sex drive is reduced due to bad lifestyle habits. “Based on these results, we think that maintaining sexual interest may be associated with positive psychological well-being and ‘ikigai’, especially among men,” the scientists said.
NO CONNECTION FOUND WITH THE RISK OF DEATH IN WOMEN
The researchers also noted that although women are more than twice as likely as men to report lower libido, they did not find a link between it and death. The results remained the same even after attributing variables such as smoking, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), underlying health conditions, and exercise levels.
Scientists have not been able to explain why there is a relationship between libido and longevity; But a persistent lack of sexual interest can be a sign of bad habits that increase the risk of chronic disease, such as smoking, drinking or overeating, according to researchers.
SEX HAS VARIOUS BENEFITS
The results supported the idea that a healthy sex life is part of what leads to better health overall. The benefits of sex include better sleep, boosting the immune system, reducing depression and anxiety, and aiding heart health.
MORE RESEARCH NEEDED
Given that the study focused on a small fraction of the population in a single region of Japan, the findings may not apply to the rest of the world. The scientists hope the study will “improve public health by advocating sexuality in Japan.” Because Japan “has more prejudices about sex among the elderly than in the Western world.” “More research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the mortality-preventing effects of sexual interest,” the scientists said. “This finding has implications for the importance of sexual interest in increasing longevity in this population.”