Contrary to popular belief, testosterone levels don’t directly correspond to how much a person wants sex. In fact, a recent study found, the relationship between the hormone and sex can be downright counterintuitive. In women, high testosterone levels often mean that they think about masturbating more and want actual sex less than women with average levels.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, surveyed 196 people who answered questions about how often they want to masturbate and actually masturbate, as well as how often they desire sex and actually have sex. They also gave saliva samples for hormone analysis.
The results: Testosterone levels in men didn’t correspond at all with how often they thought about either sex or self-pleasure. But women with high testosterone levels reported desiring sex less…and wanting to masturbate more.
[T]he 27 women in the study who reported no desire to masturbate at all had lower testosterone than the women who said they sometimes felt desire to masturbate. The finding bolsters the idea that desire for a partner is more influenced by social factors, van Anders said, while solitary desire is more innate.
In general, there were those classic stereotypical gender differences, though: Men reported more desire for sex and masturbation than women, and they masturbated more than women.
But sex is complex, the researchers said. Wanting to be close with a partner doesn’t simply mean that you want sexual gratification:
“When you’re saying you desire sexuality with another person, what are you desiring and are people desiring different things sometimes?” [study researcher Sari] van Anders said. “Are some people more desiring to be with their partner, to give their partner pleasure, to have a routine, or for their own pleasure?”
We look forward to future research on the topic.
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