Associations between testosterone secretion and sexual activity in women.
Some studies show an increase in testosterone (T) after sexual activity; this literature has inconsistent findings, focuses mostly on men, and does not employ control activities. The present study examined within-subject effects of intercourse versus control activities (cuddling; exercise) on salivary T. The initial sample included 49 women (mostly heterosexual), though not all participants returned all samples or engaged in all activities, leaving a smaller sample for endocrine analyses (n=16). Participants attended an initial session in the laboratory where they completed questionnaires, and then engaged in the activities on their own. On three separate nights, they provided pre-activity, post-activity, and next-morning saliva samples and completed brief questionnaires at the last two timepoints. Women's T was higher pre-intercourse than pre-control activity. Women's T was also higher post-intercourse than post-control activity, though the percent change in T from pre- to post-activity was highest for cuddling, then intercourse, then exercise. Next-morning T did not differ by activity. Data pointed to an association between T and orgasming, sexual desire, and relationship commitment. Analyses on post-activity appraisals suggest that the close intimate physicality of a sexual and non-sexual nature can affect T and be beneficial in short-term and perhaps longer-lasting ways for women's sexuality and relationships.
van Anders
Sari M
SM
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby BC, Canada V5A 1S6. saria@sfu.ca
Hamilton
Lisa Dawn
LD
Schmidt
Nicole
N
Watson
Neil V
NV
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D013739:Testosterone