• Question: why do i have sexual needs? Is this linked to my hormones?

    Asked by Mitty to Georgina, Chris, Kristi, Laura, Livia on 14 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Kristi Sawyer

      Kristi Sawyer answered on 14 Nov 2017:


      In short, yes! Sexual desire most commonly arises during puberty, as this is when levels of hormones such as testosterone increase. This is what causes the ‘sexual needs’ you describe.

    • Photo: Laura Ginesi

      Laura Ginesi answered on 14 Nov 2017:


      Tricky question but I will have a go!
      As Kristi says, people often begin to notice sexual feelings and needs when they reach puberty and begin to produce sex hormones like oestrogens and testosterone.

      Did you know that this is controlled by the brain? A bit of brain called the hypothalamus starts to produce a hormone called Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone at puberty in both boys and girls. It’s such a mouthful we shorten it to GnRH but it’s job is to stimulate ovaries and testes to make the sex hormones.

      But sexual needs is about more than just biological needs for passing on genes and release of tension and yes, this is also linked to hormones. an important one is sometimes called ” the love hormone” and it’s name is oxytocin. In the past people thought it was only made by women, but now we know that it’s important for social bonding making relationships and having feelings of love, belonging and security.

    • Photo: Chris Tyler

      Chris Tyler answered on 15 Nov 2017:


      Yes BUT they are desires rather than needs! The desire is there (from a evolutionary perspective) to ensure the survival of the species (any species)

    • Photo: Livia Carvalho

      Livia Carvalho answered on 15 Nov 2017:


      partly, and partly your personality too, and your genes

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