Do Men Really Want More Sex than Women?
Is it really true? Do men want sex more than women? This is perpetuated in entertainment, where the male characters often go through many female partners. It’s perpetuated in the media, with sexual products for men being advertised far more frequently than those for women.
Many people will likely compare a man’s sexuality to that of a light switch. You flick it on, bam, it’s there. You flick it off, and instantly, it’s gone. It’s not uncommon to assume that the switch is always on. While that may be true for some men, that isn’t always the case.
So do men have higher libidos than women? Let’s start with some basics about the male body.
Male Sex Drive
First, let’s start with the driving force behind a man’s sexual desire: testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone unique to individuals assigned as males at birth. It is an essential hormone that plays a massive role in male growth and masculine characteristics. Testosterone is linked to the production of red blood cells, sperm, muscle mass, and strength. It helps to regulate and control a man’s sex drive.
Testosterone levels, when high, do play a huge role in increasing a man’s sexual desires. However, that does not mean that every male is walking around with a surplus of testosterone, ready to be physical with a partner at any given moment. Because the truth is…
It’s Not That Simple
Yes, high testosterone levels will increase a man’s desire. But testosterone, like any other hormone, fluctuates. There will be times when it is higher, and there will be times when it is lower. What this means is that a man doesn’t always want sex more than a woman.
The idea of a man’s sexual desire being so high it could touch the sky at all times is perpetuated by many different influences in our society. Popular media, such as books, television, and movies, always portray males this way, a stereotype, like many others, that just isn’t true.
This stereotype is also worsened by the fact that men may not want to talk about any issues they have with their sexual drive. Of course, their significant others will likely understand it, but to their male counterparts? It’s can be considered to be too taboo to talk about. Males in our society are taught from an early age via cultural communication that they must always be manly and strong. In this stereotype, there is nothing less manly than a decrease in virility.
Yet, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Yes, men may have a hormone that causes their sex drives to be more elevated at times, but that doesn’t mean they always want it more.
The Realistic Picture of the Male Libido
Men don’t get permission to really discuss these intimate details about their lives, which is unfair to them. The truth is that many contributing factors can increase or decrease his sex drive. These may include:
Stress
Exhaustion
Parenting
Daily household responsibilities
Relationship dynamics
His self-esteem
How to Talk About Sex
As a society, we need to start breaking down the barriers and stereotypes that exist for both genders and non-binary individuals. It is just as likely for a male to experience a low sex drive as it can be for a woman to have a high one.
Sex is an intimate topic, no pun intended. If you are a male who is struggling with his sex drive or a couple struggling with their intimacy, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about sex or couples therapy. Together, we can help slowly break down these stereotypes and help you live a life that is true to who you are.
