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Subscribe to RSSA study of eunuchs in Korea's royal court has found men without testicles live longer.
Researchers looking at the court of the Chosun Dynasty found eunuchs lived to 70 on average, or 14 to 19 years longer than "intact" men of similar socio-economic status.
Three of the 81 eunuchs studied lived to 100 or more, giving the group a centenarian rate some 130 times that in developed nations today.
During the dynasty, which ran from 1392 to 1910, boys in Korea sometimes underwent castration in order to serve as eunuchs and gain access to the privileged life of the palace.
Employed through history as guards or servants in harems across the Middle East and Asia, eunuchs in the Chosun court were allowed to marry and had families through adoption.
Kyung-Jin Min of Inha University and Cheol-Koo Lee of Korea University believe the longevity of the eunuchs was not simply attributable to their privileged lifestyle.
"Except for a few eunuchs, most lived outside the palace and spent time inside the palace only when they were on duty," Min told Reuters.
In contrast, the average lifespan of the kings, who spent their whole lives inside the palace, was just 47 years.
Previous studies have shown female mammals generally live longer than males, and one explanation is that testosterone weakens the immune system and can increase the chances of heart disease.
Scientists have also found that castration typically prolongs lifespan in animals but studies on people have been inconclusive.
While data on mentally ill, institutionalized men showed them living longer, the lifespan of castrato singers was not significantly different from their non-castrated counterparts.
The study was published in the journal Current Biology.
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Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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Jesus...look at all the stupid men!
In the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow:
"Me say eunuchie, snip snip."
What is funny about that is that it was improvised by Johnny, it was not in the script originally and they were even told by the Exec. Producer to take it out. As history shows they did not listen to him and to the benefit of much hilarity throughout the series.
As for the article, it could be true. Not sure about the mechanics involved but part of what creates erections is testosterone secreted by the testicles. With them out of the picture it would be a near wood free existence if not for Viagra. Less sex, less strain on the heart; could equal longer life.
I like things the way they are, thanks. I never took steroids- but I believe I'd miss what I get naturally...and so would my wife.
Eunuch or not, if we still had them today some woman woud still take him on Maury and claim he was the father of her child.
Plus..they don't spend hours on the Internet watching porn and spanking their monkey like all the OTHER guys here do..... <laughin>
Maybe...it's the lack of stress. Being able to be TOTALLY honest with women instead of ...you know...tryin to get a little bit.... okay.... lying our a**es off. And hey, gotta admit, clothes would fit better....
Might surprise most people but in spite of castration men can still have sex. It just takes a lot more effort. It is well documented that palace eunuchs could service an entire harem almost non stop. I understand it takes the enjoyment away for the man but not for the women. As far as the kings went, they didn't mind as the eunuch could not have children. Heck even my dog was castrated when only about 8 weeks old. I have seen him perform on other dogs. While he definitely prefers girl dogs if a male dog tries anything with him he turns that around.
I have known quite a few men who developed Prostate Cancer and even died from that. And again with castration Prostate Cancer would not happen. Castration does not end sex, only change it. It is not the gonads that cause the greatest pleasure but the mind.
Heck it remains common for women to have hysterectomies where the ovaries are removed. That lowers all female cancer risks. Thing in this country and I suppose everywhere is that castration as well as hysterectomies are not an option. Only if a doctor deems it necessary to prevent death is it going to be done. 14 to 18 years longer life? Well if I could extend mine that many years,I am certain I would. And if I had a husband that was castrated I would find ways to make up that loss. After all there is about 99% of the body and sensuality left. Just not prior to age 40 or 50 though. After that most men need Viagra anyway.
Nice try, spoken like a real woman. Thanks, but I will hang on to my package.
If both parties aren't enjoying it, what's the point?
Easy for you to say, you are not a man.
JenniferRBG wrote "I have known quite a few men who developed Prostate Cancer and even died from that. And again with castration Prostate Cancer would not happen."
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, and more common than breast cancer. Castration doesn't remove the prostate gland.
This is a strange study in that the current average male lifespan in the US is 75 years and didn't provide proof that American men would live longer.
The married man is castrated on his wedding day - the day he steps into the domestic empire of his wife. Studies have shown that married men little a little longer than unmarried men.
Liberal chicks are going to love this article. The straight ones will going home and trying to convince their boy friend, he would be much happier without the family Jewels
I think it is cruel to do that to any person. Only medical reasons like cancer. As for a child molester, well that's another story.
So what you're saying is, we're stuck with Karl Rove for another 80 years?
I'd rather live a short happy life with lots of pussy.
hank:
they better watch out for you..you are a dnagerous specimen. There was a guy in news few days back who made dozen babies by 11 different women. Judge asked him to stop. Over testeterone people should be the first target for safety.
We'll then lets get to it, chop chop!
Will this create a new accessory market for liberal females? Put down your handbag and pick up an ex boyfriends sack.
Obama. Nuff said...
Eunuchs enjoyed a long life - while those still-intact had to work balls-to-the-wall. Eunuchs always attended the Grand Ball with great envy, and while they, they had a ball. Unlike most folks though, Eunuchs where not always on-the-ball, but felt like everyone else was nuts.
Seriously, jokes aside, I cannot imagine being a poor child and having my balls cut off. Thank god they ended this cruel practice. I would rather live five minutes with my nuts than five hundred years without them.
There are more and more man who sure are living but not able to get laid except in their bed by themselves when they relieve in final solution.
We see more and more complains even from young men about not having sex. Where sex is measured in terms of beauty, muscles, size of the organ, ability to last long enough..if oen does not measure up at any level and then finally in social ability to connect...one is done. They will never see other man or woman's genitalia much less rub without anything in between
People actually wasted time and money researching this? I just saw the headline and thought, "So....?
Old news... we knew guys lived longer with no tackle... In fact you may be interested to know about the number of guys who fantasise about being castrated. We have written a meditative session about castration and you can learn more here. Remember you'll feel just a little prick! www.hypnotic4play.com
I do believe this will improve men's life in a profound way, but not until Science figure out the way to store the testicles and be able to reinstall them back to the person when he needs them.
Worry about their testicles. Dude, There will be no shortage of sperm in this world. One man produces enough if he is the last one left to re-inhabit the earth if their are enough fertile women.
The real question is in the 1300's how was castration performed? I have to wonder if it was a quick hack in severing the sack as well as testicles. Which would cause massive bleeding and possibly death. Or if it was surgical with small incision, the connective lines cut with minimal bleeding. I imagine pain relief was mind over matter. I don't want to consider the suffering. Modern men have it far easier than their ancestors.
Finally Good news.
We should castrate all rapist and molesters, all prisoners, women and child abusers, law and political people who take bribes and save ourselves lots of trouble.
Thinking about the Bertocine(Spell??) former Prime Minister and wannabe again should be included. Then he can focus on his country.
I think it is win win.