Winter weather brings us steamier sex? New research suggests that men have a higher sex drive during winter months. Now we can stop complaining about the cold and start reaping its benefits.
In a recent study published in The Psychology of Human Sexuality, 114 men rated their perceived attractiveness of two sets of photos – one of women’s faces, and one of women’s bodies. Shown these images every 3 months over the course of a year, researchers noticed that attraction levels for the images of the faces did not change – but the body images saw fluctuating levels, especially during colder months.
From December to February, attraction levels rose and peaked, while in June, July and August they reached their lowest readings for the entire year. In fact, survey subjects who were in the same relationship throughout the study reported that attraction to their partners peaked in winter as well, proving that even a summer love can become more intense during the winter.
Why, we hear you ask, is this so? Researchers suggest that all the extra bared skin we see when the heat is on makes for a flesh overload in the minds of men, and the more covered-up wardrobes women wear in winter makes the sight of just a little skin all the more arousing. The unchanging attraction to faces supports this argument, the reason being that faces are seen all year round and thus there are no dry spells surrounding them.
Another study about “Seasonal variations in sexual activity and their implications for sexual health promotion” by the Journal of The Royal Society of Medicine examines weekly condom purchases throughout the year. A heavy spike during the week of Christmas suggests an increase of sexual activity or anticipation of increase in sexual activity.
The study also analyzes sexual activity reverse calculated by birth patterns, suggesting that while there is a spike in sex during the summer, there’s an even bigger spike in sex at the turn of the year.
According to the UC Health Media Group, winter also affects our mood in a variety of ways—and not really for the better. Amongst common health problems like overall dryness and decreased exercise, SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, is a type of depression that causes irritability and social withdrawal. Perhaps this loneliness is the reason why we especially crave the closeness and intimacy with a partner.
And what about women’s seasonal sexual arousal? Well, that’s a study that’s yet to be conducted. However, there are a number of other factors that could influence this peak in sexual performance.
The romanticism around the holidays causes “cuffing season”, which is a millennial talk for finding a significant other in time for the holidays. Other studies find that the isolation that comes with staying inside more during colder months leads us to crave human interaction and closeness.
Physically speaking, it also helps us generate heat. Ever rushed through summer sex to avoid a heat stroke? It’s common, and the exact reason why “more” sex in winter also means longer love-making. Perhaps that’s why 9 months after big power outages and snow storms come baby booms.
So, embrace your cuddling and flood your body with happy hormones. Stay horny in the name of science.