The sex life of men and women would be linked to the level of testosterone, especially with regard to the type of intimate relationships.
- Testosterone is one of the hormones called androgens.
- In women, it is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands.
- It has the effect of stimulating the desire of men, from a physiological point of view.
Hormones are involved in many physiological phenomena, but they can also influence our intimate life. Researchers find that testosterone levels are correlated with certain data concerning sex life. Their work has been published in the specialist journal The Journal of Sex Research.
A little explored topic
Defined as a male hormone, testosterone is also present in the female body. But scientific studies have paid little attention to its impact on female desire and sexuality, whereas it is considered to be the biological engine of men’s sexual desire. “There is little data on the differences between men and women in the relationship between testosterone and sexual function, attitudes and behavior“, develops Wendy Macdowall, one of the authors of this study. She recalls that previous research on hormones and female sexuality has tended to focus only on aspects of reproduction such as menstruation. Emphasis has been placed on their role in the ability to have sex, focusing on erection for example.
What are the effects of testosterone on the sex life of women?
To remedy this, the scientist and her team collected saliva samples from 4,000 adults. At the same time, they submitted questionnaires to them about their sex life. The analysis of the results made it possible to highlight correlations between the level of this hormone and intimate life. Thus, they find that men with higher levels of testosterone were more likely to have had more than one sexual partner at the same time in the past five years and to have recently had heterosexual vaginal sex. Among women, testosterone levels were significantly higher in those who had previously been in a same-sex relationship and reported solitary sexual activity, namely masturbation, being more recent and more frequent. The study authors point out that there was a stronger link for women than for men between higher testosterone levels and solitary sexual activity. According to them, it could be related to the “different meanings and motivations women attach to solitary and partnered sex”. They conclude that it is essential to take into account hormonal factors, but also social ones, in the observation and analysis of the differences between men and women, with regard to sexual life.
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