Susan's Place Transgender Resources

New proof testosterone reason women outlive men: study
Agence France-Presse
Posted at 09/24/2012 5:43 PM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/09/24/12/new-proof-testosterone-reason-women-outlive-men-study (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/09/24/12/new-proof-testosterone-reason-women-outlive-men-study)

WASHINGTON - Scientists said Monday they have new evidence about why women live longer than men, from a study of historical data showing castrated Koreans far outlived their non-eunuch contemporaries.

The study, published in the scientific journal "Current Biology," used detailed genealogical records of the Imperial nobility during Korea's Joseon dynasty, which spanned more than 500 years from the late 1300s to the early 1900s.

According to the data, most men, including kings and royal family members, died in their late-40s or early-50s.

But noble-class eunuchs -- men who were castrated either by accident or because of social benefits -- lived, on average, to the ripe, old age of 70.

Scientists find the secret of longer life for men (the bad news: Castration is the key)

By Mark Prigg

PUBLISHED: 13:10 EST, 24 September 2012 | UPDATED: 19:04 EST, 24 September 2012

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2207981/Scientists-secret-living-life-men-bad-news-Castration-key.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2207981/Scientists-secret-living-life-men-bad-news-Castration-key.html)

Scientists have found a sure-fire way for men to live longer - but most red-blooded males will find the method unpalatably painful.

Researchers in Korea have shown that eunuchs - castrated men living centuries ago - outlived other men by a significant margin.

They say their findings suggest that male sex hormones are responsible for shortening the lives of men.

The evidence comes after careful study of genealogy records of noble members of the Imperial court of the Korean Chosun dynasty (AD 1392-1910).

This was true even in China I think, and I also remember reading some animal studies where neutered animals had longer lives too.

Quote from: Abracadabra on September 25, 2012, 02:13:24 AM
Now... how many of those "red-blooded" men actually died of unnatural causes?

Very many, I guess.

How many of the eunuchs died of unnatural causes?

Very few, I guess.

I think that ought to have been factored into the study somehow.

High T levels makes for fighters, aggressors - and fighters happen to die earlier, yes?

Axélle

Exactly what I thought when I read the details.

Hopefully no-one has pubvlished this already. If so, please move. Thanks.

QuoteEunuchs reveal clues to why women live longer than men

Castration had a huge effect on the lifespans of Korean men, according to an analysis of hundreds of years of eunuch "family" records.

They lived up to 19 years longer than uncastrated men from the same social class and even outlived members of the royal family.

The researchers believe the findings show male hormones shorten life expectancy.

The study is published in the journal Current Biology. [/size]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19699266 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19699266)


Perhaps the aggression which Testosterone causes may be a contributing factor?

Of course eunuchs do not go to war or get involved in violent activities, and a such avoid major sources of death. The article does not address whether or not these variables were controlled.

personally, I think that for some chaps having a wife and kids are the major cause of premature death.

Living longer or not, there's also evidence that castration opens them up to osteoperosis, cardiovascular problems, dementia, etc. and of course it makes them weaker and unable to reproduce. Testosterone is not a poison. (Well, for most people :P)

Also yes, in those times men abused their body way more than women did, and I would assume more than eunuchs as well.