Sexual desire in men

To desire is to want something with vehemence and longing. Desire is always the aspiration towards something that one does not have at the moment. It is a human tendency that drives towards the search for that which is absent and without which plenitude cannot be achieved. The same thing happens with sexual desire.

This desire encourages human beings to seek a sexual encounter for different reasons: reproductive, social, personal, etc. They arise from this perceived lack at a relational level and triggers a series of behaviors that aim to bring the person closer to that long-awaited goal, sex.

What is sexual desire in men?

It is a psychological state that seeks to initiate and maintain human sexual behavior, triggered by internal or external stimuli. Basically, it is the impulse that moves people, in this case men, towards an intimate encounter with another person, to share intimacy, maintain a relationship, to enjoy and feel pleasure, etc.

Sexual desire in men appears at puberty, sometimes associated with involuntary ejaculations during sleep. This desire can continue until around age 50, and then begin to decline, accompanied in some cases by a decrease in libido.

Sexual desire in men and some associated factors

The factors associated with this type of desires are biological, psychological, sexual, relational and cultural (Nimbi et al., 2020):

Biological factors

Androgens, like testosterone, are essential for sexual behavior in men. In fact, research on the subject has shown that a minimum level of androgens is required to experience sexual desire.

It is also known that testosterone increases the desire to have sex without commitment and, consequently, a greater number of sexual partners. The satisfaction of these desires usually reduces levels of testosterone in the blood after intercourse, but not the level of perceived desire (Puts et al.2015).

Sex hormones are released into the bloodstream by the glands and travel to the brain, where they sensitize certain regions of the cortex, making them more receptive to sexual stimuli and thoughts.

Psychological factors

While it is true that moods can promote or inhibit sexual desire, studies on the subject offer contradictory results.. There is research that indicates that low levels of sexual desire are associated with the lack of positive affects related to sexuality than with the presence of more negative emotions (Nimbi et al., 2018; Nimbi et al.2019).

It has also been found that Depression and anxiety are associated with low levels of desire sexual. In a study conducted with 919 men, Bancroft et al. (2003) found that 9% of those who had high levels of depression reported an increase in sexual interest and 42% reported a decrease.

Likewise, it was found that among men with significant anxiety, 21% reported an increase in sexual desire and 28% reported a decrease.

Sexual factors

Positive and negative past sexual experiences have direct effects on sexual interest and behavior. Sexual problems can have a negative effect on overall sexual interest and function.

For example, it has been reported that erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are the most prevalent comorbidities among men with low levels of sexual desire (Carvalheira, 2014).

Regarding sexual response, the level of desire usually increases during any sexual experience (masturbation, intercourse) until orgasm, and seems to predict the quality and satisfaction of the orgasmic phase (Paterson et al., 2014).

Relational factors

In an investigation, carried out by Murray et al. (2017), on the male experience in long-term relationships, it was found that, regardless of age or duration of the relationship, factors such as “feeling desired”, “exciting and unexpected sexual encounters” and “intimate communication” were factors They provoked sexual desire.

While “rejection”, “physical and negative ailments”, “health characteristics” and “lack of emotional connection with the partner” were the main inhibiting factors.

Cultural factors

Social pressure and expectations of masculine gender roles have been identified as risk factors for the levels of these desires. Similarly, it has been found that the stigmatization of reduced male libido can negatively influence sexual satisfaction (McCarthy, 2009).

Many of the cultural stereotypes or myths about male sexual desire can affect these desires. The stereotype that men think about sex all day can make men feel pressured to exhibit such behavior, so as not to be undervalued for not meeting such a standard.

In conclusion, Sexual desire in men is influenced by different variables. These desires motivate men to seek sexual intimacy, but not necessarily emotional intimacy. What’s more, for many of them, sexual desire and its satisfaction is a way of creating said intimacy and not a consequence of it.

You might be interested…