The signs of sexual interest in humans are not outrightly displayed like in other animals. The male does not show their readiness for sex and women in the window of fertility do not display any signs either. According to Law (2011), the loss of estrus in humans shows that people are less driven by sex hormones like other animals. This is however not the case as recent studies show that hormonal changes in women during their fertility cycles are more powerful than ever thought. Women, for example, can dress provocatively become sexually excitable and flirt more for approximately six days in the cycle before and after they have ovulated. According to some studies, women even show minor shifts in voice pitch, skin tone, and scent.
Few studies have tried to address hormonal predictors for sexual motivation in women in menstrual cycles. Non-hormonal factors play a significant role in sexual motivation for women but studies support the role of sex hormones. It is natural for sexual desire to drop after menopause. Such drops are driven by a drop in the ovarian hormones. According to studies, sexual desire or behavior sharply increases near ovulation indicating that the ovarian hormones play a critical role (Roney & Simmons, 2013). The use of oestrogen for example in menopause women shows that there is an increase in sexual motivation.
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The changes observable in women are not lost on men either as they can react to the cues sent by the woman as well as the way they treat them. Men for example inch closer to a woman and mimic their gestures when they are ovulating. Such behavior is related to ovulation which is the biggest driver in this case. There are however critics on this approach to the study of hormones and sexual desire. The study, for example, focuses on ovulation related behavior and does not reflect the true nature of the issue in the real relationships (Law, 2011). Some of the studies do not extend to the actual partner choice. Researchers argue that if ovulation affected real-life mate, the evidence should be out there for everyone to see.
Men testosterone also cycles throughout the day month as well as the season which affects their mood and sexual desire. The level of testosterone, for example, might affect the sexual desire which is the driver of andropause with age. There are varying results over the degree and to which hormones respond to sexual behavior against the degree of influencing it. There is a limited awareness of how hormonal imbalances in men and women affect what they do. Most of the outcomes emerge out of the conscious awareness.
Lab test shows that hormones offer a formidable force where the effect of ovulation on male preference is significantly strong. Women according to studies paired with feminine faces men were more attracted to men who are not their partners during ovulation (Roney & Simmons, 2013). Similar results were identified in women with facially unattractive men. There was no significant effect on the intelligence. Women were also more interested in a short-term relationship with men who are confident and cocky during their fertility. It is however different in another period where they gravitated to long relationships with good fathered materials (Law, 2011).
Men also have cycles which have not been studied well. However, the cycles are less dramatic and their testosterone fluctuates during the day where it peaks in the morning and is at its lowest level in the evening. The testosterone also fluctuates seasonally where it peaks in October and ebb in April (Law, 2011). Men face a decline in the testosterone level as they age and therefore are likely to be moody and irritable.
References
Law, B. (2011). Hormones & desire. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/03/hormones.aspx
Roney, J., & Simmons, Z. (2013). Hormonal predictors of sexual motivation in natural menstrual cycles. Hormones And Behavior , 63 (4), 636-645. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.02.013
