Harmful Effects of Excessive Sexual Activity and Male Health Care at the Onset of Sexual Aging

Excessive sexual activity can increase a man's susceptibility to illness.

Ancient Chinese people had a saying, "One drop of semen is worth ten drops of blood," believing that excessive sexual activity would deplete vital energy, weaken the body, and cause illness. While modern science has proven this saying unfounded, it does demonstrate that excessive sexual activity can indeed lower the body's resistance, making one more susceptible to disease.

Modern research indicates that the decreased resistance and increased susceptibility to illness in men who engage in excessive sexual activity is related to the excessive consumption of semen due to overly frequent sexual activity. Semen is a mixture of sperm and seminal plasma, containing various inorganic salts and trace elements, including abundant zinc. Studies show that each milliliter of semen contains 150 micrograms of zinc, higher than any other part of the body. If 2-6 milliliters of semen are ejaculated during a single sexual encounter, it's equivalent to a loss of 300-900 micrograms of zinc. A 60-kilogram male only contains about 1.5 grams of zinc in his body. It's easy to imagine how staggering the amount of zinc lost through excessive sexual activity can be.

So what is the relationship between zinc and immunity? Scientific research shows that zinc is related to the synthesis and activity of various enzymes and plays an important role in the body's immune function. Zinc has a significant immune-boosting effect, preventing the decline in T cell function and proliferation in old age and promoting the activity and proliferation of B cells. Zinc deficiency leads to a decrease in lymphocytes and a reduction in immunoglobulin levels, making one highly susceptible to disease.

On the other hand, semen contains a substance called seminal plasma. It is a protein with antibacterial properties, capable of killing various pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, comparable to penicillin. It's conceivable that excessive consumption of semen will reduce this natural antibiotic in the body, potentially leading to disease.

When Does Male Sexual Aging Begin?

When does male sexual aging begin? This is a question worth discussing. The main cause of male sexual aging is the degenerative changes in the testes, which subsequently cause changes in the brain, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and sexual function.

Generally, after age 50, men experience a gradual decline in sexual function as the interstitial cells of the testes undergo aging and degenerative changes. This leads to a significant decrease in testosterone secretion and a relative reduction in testicular volume. At this time, various tissues and organs in the body gradually age, resulting in a gradual decline in sexual function. Older men require a longer time to achieve an erection, necessitating increased direct stimulation of the genitals. After age 60, men typically experience varying degrees of decrease in the strength of their erections and the volume of ejaculate. However, individual differences in sexual ability are significant; some men completely cease sexual activity at 50 or 60, while others still have a strong libido at 80.

After age 60, testicular shrinkage becomes more pronounced, reaching a size equivalent to that of a 12-year-old child by age 70. Therefore, testicular function plays a crucial role in the decline of male sexual function.

In his book *Sexual Medicine*, Wu Jieping states: "It is important to recognize the significant individual differences among older adults in their sexual attitudes, interests, and abilities. This is certainly true; if a person has good health, maintains a strong sexual interest, and has a sexually active partner, then it is certain that their sexual interest and ability can be maintained into their 70s, 80s, or even 90s." This demonstrates that good physical condition and robust health are extremely important for maintaining good sexual function.

Furthermore, other factors cannot be ignored, such as social and psychological factors, which can all affect or impair the sexual function of older men.