Yes, but not as big as is commonly believed. Biologically, the difference is that women are dependent J. Bancroft. The endocrinology of sexual arousal / Journal of Endocrinology from fluctuations mainly in the level of estrogen during different phases of the cycle, and men — from testosterone. Psychologically, the difference is when the desire appears, in response to what stimuli.
When it comes to high libido, people usually imagine a feeling similar to hunger or thirst, but this is not the only option. In addition to spontaneously arising desire, there is also a response that is provoked by S. J. Dawson, M. L. Chivers. Gender Differences and Similarities in Sexual Desire / Current Sexual Health Reports actions of another person. And for women, the second option is more typical.
For many women, desire arises in response to pleasant sensations, and not in anticipation of them.
"The reciprocal attraction turns on when, in general, you were not going to get excited, but then some kind of sexual stimulus appeared, for example, your partner started kissing you," writes Emily Nagoski, an expert in sex education, in her book "How a woman wants." — You're in a good mood, your body gets turned on, and you think, "Oh, right, sex! Good idea! Why don't they do it?“».
In men, it is caused by K. Mark, MPH, D. Herbenick, D. Fortenberry, S. Sanders, M. Reece. The Object of Sexual Desire: Examining the “What” in “What Do You Desire?” / The Journal of Sex Medicine the desire to orgasm and the desire to please his partner. But women are more often motivated by emotional intimacy with a partner, as well as a sense of sexual desire from the outside. This manifests itself in women's sexual fantasies, which often focus on the idea of being desired — sometimes by many people at the same time.
Libido in women is no less developed than in men. Moreover, women are able to get excited even more often. Scientists have discovered M. L. Chivers, J. M. Bailey. A sex difference in features that elicit genital response / Biological Psychology this is by checking the physical and psychological response to visual stimuli in representatives of the two sexes.
If heterosexual men were aroused only at the sight of heterosexual sex or several women together, then women reacted to more stimuli (including sexual intercourse between monkeys). This is consistent with the hypothesis that evolution has given women a greater interest in sex, because it is beneficial for any species that females look for the best partners for procreation.
Curiously, the answers of most women did not match H. A. Rupp, K. Wallen. Sex Differences in Response to Visual Sexual Stimuli: A Review / Archives of Sexual Behavior with indicators of physical excitation sensors. The participants reported that they were only interested in heterosexual sex, although in fact they reacted equally to all stimuli. This is explained by the way women are socialized in society. They are inspired with the idea that their sex needs less sex and that they should definitely strive for monogamy. They get used to ignoring their arousal, especially in situations that are considered indecent.
Libido is not a constant value, it can change over the course of a lifetime due to various reasons. For example, because of the physical and psychological state, as well as because of the situation and the relationship with the partner.
An increase in libido, in which a person does not control his behavior, is also called 6 Conditions That Might Put Your Sex Drive in Overdrive / Everyday Health sexual addiction, nymphomania (in men — satyriasis) or hypersexuality. This is not an independent disease, but a symptom of conditions such as:
Most often libido decreases in women Low sex drive in women / Mayo Clinic :
There is no concept of norm for libido, because this is a very individual indicator: someone does not want sex at all, and someone is worried if they stop wanting a partner every day.
There's something wrong with libido, only if it doesn't suit Loss of libido / NHS the person himself (not the partner or the society in any way), harms him. This includes both a subjective feeling and an objective influence on lifestyle, for example, if an increased libido pushes to unsafe behavior. In all other cases, everything is fine.
If you do not like the level of libido or it leads to some problems, then it can be adjusted.
Since usually an increased libido indicates neurological and psychiatric diseases, then reduce 6 Conditions That Might Put Your Sex Drive in Overdrive / Everyday Health it needs the help of a psychiatrist and a neurologist. They will prescribe medication and psychotherapy to help cope with compulsive behavior.
If libido has decreased, then you can first try:
But if it seems to you that the problem is of a medical nature, you need to contact a therapist so that he sends you for examination and for consultation with a gynecologist, endocrinologist or psychiatrist.
