Hormones and Sexual Intercourse

ByChondo সেপ্টেম্বর 18, 2022সেপ্টেম্বর 18, 2022

It’s common knowledge that sex and hormone are connected. But do you know how they are connected?

We always hear phrases like “hormones make you have sex” but very few people are clear on how hormones influence sex and vice versa.

Hormones

Firstly, we need to understand that not all hormones are the same. They are just not for “sexual reasons’’. There are hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin called “happy hormones”. Moreover, some hormones are released by our reproductive organs and impact both sexual and other bodily functions.

There are two key reproductive hormones. For women, it’s estrogen. Did you know that it’s released from ovaries? Many people think it comes from the uterus or vagina.

A small amount of estrogen is released from adrenal glands as well. Women release another reproductive hormone called progesterone.

For males, their main reproductive hormone is testosterone which is released from their testes. Women produce a small amount of testosterone as well.

Hormone and Sex

So, how do these hormones play a role in sexual functions?

All three of these hormones have a hand in our libido levels or sexual needs. If your estrogen is higher, your libido will increase. The opposite happens for progesterone because if this hormone increases, you will feel less sexual desire.

But the influence of testosterone on female libido is up for debate. Some researchers claim that it increases desire while some say it decreases.

Our bodies are continuously going through hormonal fluctuations because of the menstrual cycle. Libido is the highest right before ovulation or midway through our cycle. It’s because estrogen and testosterone levels are at their best. A high level of estrogen provides more self-lubrication as well.

If you’re on birth control pills, your hormones will be more stable. After menopause, your reproductive hormones become more balanced. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop after menopause but remain steady at that level. It’s common to feel less libido after this period.

On the other hand, sex helps to release ‘happy hormones’ or oxytocin and dopamine. These hormones make our brain fuzzy and help to feel good. They also help to manage anxious thoughts and sadness.