Oh well, no worries then that I don't do 'official' gym-type exercise or play squash. Thanks to your post that gives me a stronger excuse now! Besides, it gives me assurance that I prefer balance in life... burning chalories + lots of fun.

Very insightful journalism, thanks. I had no idea the author might enjoy sex. That, on the other hand, the author would not be able to get her head around an opinion other than her own I'm afraid I entirely expected. But that was the only disappointing aspect of the piece. Apart from that it was great.

How can those men who are having the most orgasms have half the death rate of other men - last time I checked, the death rate was 100%.

I was curious listening to a video of some occultist/freemason turned Christian evangelist say that child victims of child abuse age faster, and their abusers keep their youth longer.

The lady who lived to be over 100 certainly looked to have kept her youth, there is a picture of her in her late thirties looking young even for someone in their late teens.

There is nothing worse than being in a - usually married - relationship where you are expected to have sex with your husband to earn your keep. Once a call girl told me that doing what she did aged you, and she retired at thirty. Having no greater control over your own body than having to have sex because somebody else wants to, and doing his other drone chores, might make you remember being abused as a child. If you are lucky enough to get good sex, and only because and when you want to, you are very lucky. For whatever reason the only men who notice me are not worth being within a hundred yards of, any guy with the tiniest thing going for him ignores me and I attract all the jerks like flypaper, so there is no option for me at all but to forget about them. If there is meant to be somebody in my life, he will turn up.

I'm always suspicious of sex studies. Who would want to take part in them and tell the truth? These people can't be normal - as Jonathan Ross said, he'd give himself amazing performances in any sex study. Statistics I'd be interested in are those from 99.9etc% of people who don't take part in studies.

Also what about yogic and other practices of sublimating sexual energies?

Not being grumpy here but I'd say sex and celibacy are both overrated!!

There is a freedom in not having sex. I am a 53 year old woman and no longer driven by my libido, this allows me to think clearly before I engage in a relationship with someone. Sex is about intimacy anyway and that can be found, is more likely to be found, outside a sexual context.
Our society is brainwashed into thinking we must have sex or we are inadequate or undesirable. Let's stop behaving like sheep and rabbits.

Well, I noticed when I was growing up that the nuns usually lived to a good age. Perhaps serenity is the secret to enjoying life.

Whenever someone lives to an extended old age - i.e., over 100 - some journo asks them what the secret is. And the answers have ranged from "Having a pint of beer twice a day" to "Being teetotal". As such, it's ridiculous to read anything into such anecdotes.

As for perpendicular - try reading the piece. CT clearly says she accepts others can have other opinions. Seems more likely its you that has a problem with CT's.

What is the point if everyone embraces celibacy and lives to 110 and the human race becomes extinct?

For goodness sake! When are we going to stop all this so called modern madness of ours. The good Lord created man and woman to live together and "multiply". In other word HAVE SEX. So why the hell do i want to stay celibate. Celibasy today is the new thingy. What's next?

sex is purely biological - believe me I know! So all you ladies who are about to write in protest - don't bother.
Being extremely pretty and sexy when young meant loads of men and sex for me - in fact I was over loaded with sex by the time I was married and had children. Of course, like Catherine, I always chose my partners with care and was very careful. But that did not totally protect me from dishonesty in other people, lack of respect, hurt, pain and complications as well as the joy of it all. I have been celibate now for 17 years and still very attractive and vibrant and always being asked out by men - young and old - the reason I say no (for now) is because celebacy gives a woman POWER and the right to choose. It is really really wonderful. I can understand where this lady is coming from and although she never had sex at all, I can understand her feelings. If you have lots of sex and lots of partners you think you are free and you think you are liberated but you are most probably following your biological needs (yes, it is pleasurable) but you are not really in control especially as women are not as resilient as men when it comes to emotions and feelings. Celebacy is not a death sentence - it is a process to understand who you really are as a woman and then having the true freedom of choice to choose a partner that really fits to you in all ways - if you still feel the need. Celebacy for women who are in the process of finding a mate for children - it will not even enter their heads - but never think you are entirely in control of your decisions because you are not ; lust and biological need can lead women into bad situations without them even realising it.