Having higher levels of testosterone does not mean men have a higher sex drive, as previously thought – a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B has claimed. Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles of men and in smaller amounts in the ovaries of women. It plays an important role in male secondary sexual characteristics such as growth of hair on the body, increase in muscle mass and bone mass. While its role in reproductive behavior has been significantly documented, an international team of researchers led by the University of California, Santa Barbara believe that day-to-day changes in testosterone levels may be linked to sexual desire in men. There is no real connection.
“A man experiencing higher than normal testosterone concentrations on any given day does not typically exhibit higher than normal sexual desire on the same day,” the study said.
According to the researchers, their study confirms prior findings that men only need a limited amount of baseline testosterone for sexual desire.
Interestingly, researchers found that there was a positive correlation between testosterone levels and the amount of effort men put in to woo their significant other.
“We propose that the evolved functions of testosterone in human males are more closely linked to courtship efforts than to sexual desire,” the study highlights.
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How was the study conducted?
41 men aged 18 to 26 with varying relationship statuses (27 single, 14 committed to one partner) were recruited for a 31-day trial. Daily saliva analysis was taken from participants to measure testosterone concentrations, requiring them to answer questions: “How much sexual desire did you experience?” “How much effort did you put into attracting a potential romantic and/or sexual partner yesterday?” and “How many sexual fantasies did you have?”
On days when single men interacted with potential partners, testosterone concentrations were higher, suggesting that more effort was expended to find a partner.
“Testosterone fluctuations in the normal range may positively predict day-to-day variations in men’s mate attraction attempts among single men, especially when looking at social interactions with potential mates.”
Despite the findings, researchers said they needed more data to further develop their understanding of the case.
