# Male orgasm and lifespan **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 20, 2016, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422 "2016-09-20T07:10:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/1 "2016-09-20T07:10:23Z")
Hello Everyone I remember reading that males who orgasm 3 to 4 times per week tend to live longer. While trying to convince my wife of this fact she asked if the orgasms needed to be from sex with a partner or will self simulation do the trick? Damn, a possible flaw in an otherwise foolproof plan! So what’s the Dope? Can you all confirm my hypothesis that to live longer I need her help? ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/2 "2016-09-20T07:17:03Z")
I’m not sure the basic result referred to has strong evidentiary support, but more generally, surely the body does not physiologically distinguish orgasms based on stimulus source… ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/3 "2016-09-20T07:20:59Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > I’m not sure the basic result referred to has strong evidentiary support, but more generally, surely the body does not physiologically distinguish orgasms based on stimulus source… Tell that to my orgasms. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/4 "2016-09-20T07:54:15Z")
Let me rephrase that. Of course there are experiential differences (and of course mental state is a huge component of sexual response); I just can’t imagine the mechanism by which they would affect whatever underlying brute physical processes as might extend one’s lifespan or any other such thing. But I’m no doctor, so, I’ll leave it to one to comment. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/5 "2016-09-20T08:24:41Z")
Rule one. Correlation does not equal causation. One can dream up an almost infinitude of reasons for correlation. Simply being healthy enough is a good start. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/6 "2016-09-20T08:44:52Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > Let me rephrase that. Of course there are experiential differences (and of course mental state is a huge component of sexual response); I just can’t imagine the mechanism by which they would affect whatever underlying brute physical processes as might extend one’s lifespan or any other such thing. Assuming it’s true, the difference in the source could be whether it’s based on the simple mechanical nature of the orgasm itself or the cascade of social bonding actions in the brain which requires a partner. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/7 "2016-09-20T10:19:22Z")
My google-fu has failed at finding a link, but I have read claims in the past that a lack of regular ejaculations can cause stress on the prostate and long term problems with it, including cancer. But masturbation should work fine for a problem like that. However, lower stress is known to be good for you, and getting regular sex is going to lower stress for most people. But that’s a stress issue, and only indirectly a sexual one. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/8 "2016-09-20T11:07:59Z")
I suspect that if there is a correlation at all, it’s just that married people tend to have sex more often than non-married people, and having a partner who’s looking out for you is also good for your longevity. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/9 "2016-09-20T11:33:45Z")
Or it could be that healthy people are more likely to have more frequent orgasms, and some unhealthy people have very infrequent orgasms. So maybe it’s not that orgasms prolong your life but rather being healthy enough to live a long time means functioning well enough to have more frequent orgasms. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/10 "2016-09-20T12:02:09Z")
Frequency is tied to prostate health (lower chances of getting prostate cancer). [Link 1](http://www.menshealth.com/health/ejaculation-and-prostate-cancer-risk). [Link 2.](http://www.harvardprostateknowledge.org/does-frequent-ejaculation-help-ward-off-prostate-cancer) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/11 "2016-09-20T12:09:28Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Hello Everyone > > I remember reading that males who orgasm 3 to 4 times per week tend to live longer. While trying to convince my wife of this fact she asked if the orgasms needed to be from sex with a partner or will self simulation do the trick? > > Damn, a possible flaw in an otherwise foolproof plan! So what’s the Dope? Can you all confirm my hypothesis that to live longer I need her help? It has to be from a partner. Now you can tell her you read it on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/12 "2016-09-20T12:35:25Z")
But I imagine it would be better if each was from a different partner. Or so I imagine. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/13 "2016-09-20T12:39:04Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > But I imagine it would be better if each was from a different partner. Or so I imagine. Tell that to Mrs. Coolidge. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/14 "2016-09-20T12:49:26Z")
A more useful causative link might be this one: Husbands who both 1)help get the housework done so their wives aren’t exhausted all the time, and 2) prioritize their wife’s pleasure in bed, will tend to have wives who want sex more often. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/15 "2016-09-20T12:54:28Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It has to be from a partner. > > Now you can tell her you read it on the internet. Either she helps you with your health, or she’s giving you permission to spend your time surfing for porn on the internet. We’ll miss your contributions to this board… ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/16 "2016-09-20T13:21:01Z")
You need permission? Man , I’ve got some explaining to do. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/17 "2016-09-20T13:37:55Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Hello Everyone > > I remember reading that males who orgasm 3 to 4 times per week tend to live longer. Longer than who? Those of us who have 15? ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/18 "2016-09-20T14:41:03Z")
Sex with a partner tends to be a bit more of a workout than by yourself so if she really loved you she’ll help you keep up this workout program. Cardio plus free weights and you don’t have to necessarily get out of bed. Win-win. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/19 "2016-09-20T16:43:13Z")
Another advantage of having a partner is that the volume produced can be twice as much as when solo. If the basis of the health benefits comes from getting a good prostate flushing, then partnered wins over solo. (Otherwise you’d have to solo twice as much and we know no one would attempt that.;)) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422/20 "2016-09-20T19:24:34Z")
I think the converse makes a lot more sense. Obese people have less sex. Obese people die earlier. That likely explains much of the correlation. > [@TruCelt](#): > > A more useful causative link might be this one: Husbands who both 1)help get the housework done so their wives aren’t exhausted all the time, and 2) prioritize their wife’s pleasure in bed, will tend to have wives who want sex more often. I guess I’ll just go ahead and die early, then. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-orgasm-and-lifespan/766422.md?page=2)