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Vital warning to men who have too little sex - there could be deadly consequences, scientists discover READ MORE: Critical health warning issued to women who 'don't have sex often' By JOHN ELY DEPUTY HEALTH EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE Published: 07:58 EDT, 10 March 2025 | Updated: 08:04 EDT, 10 March 2025 e-mail View comments A lack of sex could almost double men's risk of being sent to an early grave, a study suggests. An analysis of data from 20,000 people found males with low libido were two thirds more likely to die, compared to those with a higher sexual appetite. These findings remained true even after experts accounted for other factors like smoking, alcohol use, obesity levels, underlying health conditions and exercise.
This suggested it was the lack of sexual interest that increased the risk of death, though the authors say further studies are needed. It follows separate research that suggested celibate men have an increased risk of cancer or other long-term illnesses — but have a lower chance of a heart attack. In the Japanese study, experts examined data from over 7,500 men and 11,000 women over the age of 40 and then tracked their health outcomes for seven years.
At the start of the study all participants were asked if they had 'any interest in people of the opposite sex'. Answers of 'no' were defined as lack of sexual interest. Analysis of the data found men who reported a lack of sexual appetite had 69 per cent higher risk of dying over the course of the study.
A lack of sex could double men's risk of being sent to an early grave, a study suggests When looking at specific causes of death, men who didn't have sex were found to have a 72 per cent higher chance of dying from cancer. However, these men were not found to have a greater risk of developing the disease in the first place. Although women were more than twice as likely as men to report lower libido, scientists didn't find a link between a lack of interest in sex and a higher mortality risk in females.
The study authors from Yamagata University said the research suggests a lack of sexual interest could increase the risk of death among older adult men. 'Based on our results, we suggest that lack of sexual interest itself contributes to an increased risk of all-cause mortality, independent of established risk factors in men over 40 years old,' they wrote. The study's findings, published in the journal PLOS One , are observational, meaning they cannot prove that lower libido harms men's health directly.
The authors note that although they accounted for several factors, there could be other aspects influencing the results. They noted that men reporting a lack of sexual interest were more likely to drink more, have diabetes, laugh less, experience some kind of psychological distress, and have lower levels of education. Japanese scientists found death from all causes increased in men who demonstrated a lack of interest in sex This chart shows how men with lack of sexual interest had significantly higher odds of dying from cancer But they highlighted men with a lower sex drive were more likely to report lacking ‘ikigai’ — a Japanese term for a reason for living, or the joy and goal of having a life worth living.
‘Based on these results, we speculate that maintaining sexual interest may be related to positive psychological wellbeing and "ikigai" especially among men,’ they said. However, they added: 'Further study is required to clarify the mechanisms which underlie the preventive effects of sexual interest on mortality.' The Japanese study isn't the first to suggest sex could have a protective effect on men's health.
A British study of more than 5,700 over-50s found men who have less sex saw their risk of serious illness rise by more than two-thirds. Experts from Anglia Ruskin University found these men were 63 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 41 per cent more likely to develop a long-standing illness. Dr Lee Smith, senior author of the study, credited sexual activity being a form of exercise as a potential explanation.
‘It is important to remember that sex is a form of physical activity, albeit often performed at a moderate intensity, which burns around 3.6 calories a minute,' Dr Smith said. The researchers found that females between the ages of 20 and 59 who had sex less than once a week were at a 70 per cent increased risk of death within five years 'All exercise comes with health benefits and sex is no different.
’ Another British study, conducted on about 1,000 Welsh men in the 90s, found regular sex slashed death rates by about 50 per cent. Other research on specific serious health issues has also suggested regular lovemaking could protect men from an early demise. American research found men who have sex frequently are up to 45 per cent less likely to develop life-threatening heart conditions than men who only have sex once a month or less.
Read More Revealed: Part of the UK where people have the most sex - do YOU live in the UK's 'raunchiest' area? Studies have also linked regular ejaculation, through sex or masturbation, with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Experts found men who orgasmed at least 21 times a month were a third less likely to develop the disease than men who did so four to seven times. Scientists theorise frequent ejaculation may allow the prostate to clear out cancer-causing substances or it may prevent the development of calcium deposits, which are associated with prostate cancer.
Separate research has also revealed a lack of sex could be harming women. Experts found females between the ages of 20 and 59 who had sex less than once a week were at a 70 per cent increased risk of death within five years. The benefits of sex, for both genders, are wide ranging — including improved sleep, a bolstered immune system, combating depression and anxiety, and better heart health.
However, many experts urge caution about directly linking sex rates with death risk. They caution it could instead be the case that having less sex is a sign that someone is already unwell before being officially diagnosed. Share or comment on this article: Vital warning to men who have too little sex - there could be deadly consequences, scientists discover e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted.
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