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Study finds no link between testosterone levels throughout the day and sexual desire in men
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
A trio of psychologists from the University of California, Santa Barbara, along with colleagues from the National Institute for Sexuality Research in Poland, the State University of New York, and the University of Chicago, found that men's levels of sexual desire are not related to daily testosterone levels.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, was based on an analysis of daily saliva samples and participants' reports of their levels of sexual desire over the course of a month.
Background of the study
It is a common belief that in men, increased sexual desire is linked to increased testosterone levels. This is a logical assumption, given that testosterone is often associated with masculinity. However, this link had never been tested before this study.
Methodology
The researchers recruited 41 adult male volunteers. Over the course of 31 days, the participants:
- Saliva samples were provided daily to measure testosterone levels.
- They kept diaries recording their levels of sexual desire, as well as thoughts about romantic relationships, courtship, or dating.
Results
The Link Between Testosterone and Sexual Desire:
- Analysis of the data revealed no association between daily testosterone levels and levels of sexual desire.
- On a given day, testosterone levels did not have a significant effect on desire.
Differences between single men and those in relationships:
- In men in sexual relationships, testosterone levels changed differently than in single men.
- Single men showed greater courtship efforts on days when testosterone levels were elevated, suggesting that testosterone drives mate choice rather than affects desire.
Conclusion
The study challenges the popular belief that testosterone levels directly determine sexual desire in men. Instead, testosterone appears to play a major role in mate-selection behavior, particularly in single men.
This finding highlights the importance of further exploring factors influencing sexual behavior beyond hormonal levels.