Testosterone and sexual desire in healthy women and men.

[Dean Destructo]

Sexual desire is typically higher in men than in women, with testosterone (T) thought to account for this difference as well as within-sex variation in desire in both women and men. However, few studies have incorporated both hormonal and social or psychological factors in studies of sexual desire. The present study addressed how three psychological domains (sexual-relational, stress-mood, body-embodiment) were related to links between T and sexual desire in healthy adults and whether dyadic and solitary desire showed associations with T.

Participants (n = 196) were recruited as part of the Partnering, Physiology, and Health study, which had 105 men and 91 women who completed questionnaires and provided saliva for cortisol and T assays. T was positively linked to solitary desire in women, with masturbation frequency influencing this link. In contrast, T was negatively correlated with dyadic desire in women, but only when cortisol and perceived social stress were controlled.

Replicating past findings, no significant correlations between T and desire in men were apparent, but these analyses showed that the null association remained even when psychological and confound variables were controlled. Men showed higher desire than women, but masturbation frequency rather than T influenced this difference. Results were discussed in terms of challenges to assumptions of clear links between T and desire, gendered approaches to T, and the unitarity of desire.

 

[Dean Destructo]

Take away: higher T levels is a marker of sexual independence in women possibly due to increased masturbation frequency. HOWEVER; it is more important to note, especially for those cohabitating, that LOWER CORTISOL LEVELS are a higher factor in sex desire in women. Lower cortisol was a higher factor than higher T . So stress reduction is the ultimate aphrodisiac for a female, or so it seems.

 

[Presser]

Take away: higher T levels is a marker of sexual independence in women possibly due to increased masturbation frequency. HOWEVER; it is more important to note, especially for those cohabitating, that LOWER CORTISOL LEVELS are a higher factor in sex desire in women. Lower cortisol was a higher factor than higher T . So stress reduction is the ultimate aphrodisiac for a female, or so it seems.

thnx for laying that out in english lol, makes sense , well the stress cortisol part made sense, however im a little taken back by their finding on women with higher testosterone, at least if im understanding it, so women with higher testosterone levels take care of themselves with masturbation leaving the women with less desire to be with a man ?? is that right?

 

[Dean Destructo]

I think that they are saying that yes. Basically able to take care of themselves.