Researchers have uncovered a surprising discovery: men and other male mammals can live longer if their testicles are removed. This startling conclusion was published in a report by The Guardian, highlighting a phenomenon observed across different species, including humans.
The study found that castrated mammals, including men, tend to outlive their intact counterparts. Historical evidence supports this claim, with data from mid-20th century American men who were institutionalized and castrated due to mental illness, and Korean eunuchs showing a significant increase in lifespan.
Castrated men were observed to live longer than those with testicles, with Dr. Bohannon, a researcher with a PhD from Columbia University, humorously advising, “You could get castrated. Cut off your testicles. But don’t try this at home.”
Men are known to suffer from more infections, higher cancer rates, and often worse prognoses compared to women. A 2012 study in Current Biology revealed that 81 eunuchs born between 1556 and 1861 lived an average of 70 years, which is 14.4-19.1 years longer than non-castrated men of similar social and economic status.
The researchers concluded that male sex hormones might be shortening men’s lives. “Why do so many men carry two tiny death machines?” pondered Dr. Bohannon. “Unfortunately, we don’t fully understand why yet, but a lot of good science is being done in this area.”
This fascinating insight challenges our understanding of male biology and longevity, sparking a discussion on the impact of male hormones on health and lifespan.
