The new study has found one hormone could be responsible for men being unfaithful – while having the opposite effect for women.
Scientists think they may have found why some men seem not to be able to help cheating.
It could be all down to biology, new research indicates, with testosterone levels to blame.
A study published in the Journal of Sex Research found men with higher testosterone levels were more likely to have had more than one sexual partner at the same time.
Interestingly, the opposite appears to be true for women – who stick to one partner if they have high levels of testosterone.
This is the first time detailed insights have been found into how the hormone leads men and women to behave differently when it comes to sex.
Researchers measured testosterone levels in saliva samples from 4000 adults, using questionnaires to learn more about their sexual histories.
The authors of the study from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), UCL, University of Manchester, and the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) say the findings help address “the deficit” in attention paid to the role of androgens in women’s sexuality.
“There’s a sparsity of population level data on the differences between men and women in the relationship between testosterone and sexual function, attitudes and behaviour,” Wendy Macdowall from LSHTM said.
“Questions have been raised about the nature of sexual desire in women and how little we understand about what it is that is desired.
“Our data tend to confirm that differences between men and women need to be understood by examining them in the context of social as well as hormonal influences on sexual function and behaviour.”
Signs of high testosterone in men include:
1. Acne
More testosterone increases the body’s production of sebum, which can then lead to spots.
It’s because it can clog hair follicles which can then become inflamed and turn into acne.
It’s the reason why lots of teenage boys experience acne breakouts, as their testosterone levels rise.
2. Blood pressure
Your blood pressure can go up or down if there is a sudden increase in testosterone levels.
3. Body hair
Increased testosterone levels can cause more hair growth, such as on the face, chin, chest or back.
But it can also lead to baldness … It can depend on genetic factors.
A sudden hair change, either loss or growth, can be an indication of high testosterone.
Increased testosterone levels can cause more hair growth, such as on the face, chin, chest or back.
The study finds the opposite seems to be true for women. Picture: Dainis Graveris/Unsplash.
4. Mood swings
Too much testosterone can cause mood swings. Signs can be anxiety, depression or irritability.
5. Decreased sperm count
While it is often thought of as being the measure of a man, high testosterone levels can actually shrink the testicles.
This also means the level of sperm being produced can also be affected.
In some cases, the production of sperm can be stopped altogether.
6. Sleep apnoea
This is a potentially fatal disorder where an individual stops breathing for periods while they sleep.
The higher the testosterone levels, the greater the chance of experiencing sleep apnoea.
Signs include loud snoring, gasping for air, a headache in the morning and sleepiness in the day.
7. Breast enlargement
High testosterone levels can cause swelling of the breast tissue in men. This is called gynecomastia.
It can affect anyone but it’s the most common in those between the ages of 50 and 69.
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