Healthy Sex Life — And Fidelity — Lengthen Men's Lives

Paging cultural and gender stereotypes: An Italian study has found that a healthy sex life improves men’s life expectancy. Italians, why so randy? But wait! You have to be faithful. Sorry, Silvio.

According to the European Society of Sexual Medicine’s Dr. Emmanuele Jannini: “What was evident from the research was that men who had active sex lives and were faithful to their partners had fewer cardiovascular complaints and lived longer. Increased sexual activity produces more testosterone, which leads to less depression and a better cardiovascular performance which means an improved metabolism.” The research was carried out on 4,000 men apparently.

The strangest part about this whole thing is that nowhere does anyone explain why fidelity makes the difference, and primary sources on this have been frustratingly elusive. (Perhaps the study has not yet been published — ESSM’s site turns up nothing, and Jannini is best known for allegedly locating the g-spot). Could it be lessened exposure to STIs? Better-quality sex over time with one partner? Or something else?