Contrary to popular belief, there is no link between levels of testosterone, a hormone often associated with masculinity, and sexual desire in men on a daily basis, according to researchers.
- A study by international researchers shows that male sexual desire is not linked to daily variations in testosterone, contrary to popular belief.
- Over the course of a month, 41 men measured their hormone levels and recorded their sexual desire in a diary. The results reveal a lack of direct correlation, although among singles, spikes in testosterone are associated with more seduction efforts.
- This finding suggests that testosterone plays more of a role in mate selection than in everyday sexual desire.
A new study led by psychologists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in collaboration with international researchers, challenges a particularly widespread belief: the direct link between testosterone levels and male sexual desire, which would suggest that more they are higher, the more we have. Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society Bthis research actually reveals that sexual appetite in men is not influenced by daily variations in this hormone.
Testosterone may be more linked to mate selection
Testosterone, often associated with masculinity, is commonly seen as the main driver of male sexual desire. But until now, few scientific studies have analyzed this link rigorously. This new study stands out for its methodology: for 31 days, 41 adult men took daily saliva samples to measure their testosterone levels. They also kept a diary, recording their sexual desire and thoughts about “flirting”, seduction or intimate relationships. The 31-day goal, according to a press release : have an overall measurement of testosterone levels, knowing that the latter “tend to fluctuate, often in response to daily activities such as sexual behavior, degree of fatigue, and even meals consumed”.
As a result, the researchers found no correlation between testosterone levels and participants’ day-to-day sexual desire. However, notable differences were observed based on men’s relationship status. Among singles who were not having sex, spikes in testosterone were associated with increased seduction efforts, suggesting that this hormone plays a role more related to mate selection than sexual desire itself.
A new understanding of testosterone
These findings enrich our understanding of the role of testosterone. Rather than being an immediate trigger of sexual desire, it could mainly influence behaviors linked to the search for a partner. This distinction is important because it nuances the perception that hormones directly determine men’s sexual desires, and invites us to reconsider preconceived ideas about masculinity and desire.
