Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

8-2020

Abstract

During the transition to parenthood (TTP), both women and men report declines in sexual desire, which are thought to reflect an evolutionarily adaptive focus on parenting over mating. New parents also show changes in testosterone, a steroid hormone implicated in both parenting and mating, suggesting that changes in sexual desire may be associated with changes in testosterone. To test these associations, we followed a sample of heterosexual couples expecting their first child across the prenatal period. We examined prenatal changes in testosterone and two forms of sexual desire (solitary, dyadic). Expectant mothers showed prenatal increases in testosterone, and women's higher testosterone was associated with lower dyadic desire. Expectant fathers showed prenatal decreases in testosterone, and declines in men's testosterone were associated with lower dyadic desire. Testosterone was unrelated to men's or women's solitary desire. Our findings provide support for the idea that prenatal changes in testosterone contribute to an evolutionarily adaptive focus on parenting over mating during the TTP.

Keywords

Transition to parenthood, pregnancy, sexual desire, testosterone

Discipline

Gender and Sexuality | Social Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Hormones and Behavior

Volume

125

First Page

1

Last Page

10

ISSN

0018-506X

Identifier

10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104823

Publisher

Elsevier

Copyright Owner and License

Publisher

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104823

Download

Share

COinS