Lower Testosterone Good for Romantic Relationships

A new study claims that men and women in more satisfying relationships have lower testosterone levels.

Despite the fact that women are more attracted to men with higher testosterone levels, a new study led by researchers at the University of Michigan found that lower testosterone levels are a boon for longer relationships.

In romantic relations, lower testosterones benefited both men and women as they reported having more commitment and satisfaction in their relationship, claims the study.

Robin Edelstein, U-M associate professor of psychology and the study's lead author said, "The assumption is generally that high testosterone is good for sexual relationships. These findings suggest that once people are in a relationship, lower levels of testosterone may be beneficial-or may reflect better on-going relationship dynamics."

Studies conducted earlier revealed how lower levels of testosterone were linked with a man's quality of relationship; this is the first time that researchers have looked at the association in women.

The researchers came up with this conclusion after evaluating data of 39 heterosexual couples of ages 18-31 who were in relationships of durations varying from two months to seven years. As a part of the study, the subjects were made to answer a questionnaire about their satisfaction, commitment and investment.  Apart from this, the researchers even collected samples of saliva from the subjects for analysis.

The researchers noticed a strong association between the quality of a person's relationship and the partner's testosterone level. The testosterone of both men and women was negatively correlated with their own and their partner's satisfaction and commitment.

When the person or their partner had low testosterone levels, the couples reported to be more satisfied and committed in their relationships.

Earlier, researchers at Penn State found that when a man with low testosterone married a high testosterone woman, the wife provided social support for her partner.

The findings appear in the April issue of Hormones and Behaviour.