The shape of desire
Baumeister et al (2001) suggest that the sex drive construct is overly generalized to related but separate concepts, such as enjoyment of sex or sexual capacity. While Baumeister et al. found that (true to folk wisdom) men had a higher sex drive, no gender difference on the other measures was reported. Peplau (2003) goes further, suggesting a set of four major gender differences in human sexuality: sexual desire or drive (higher for men), the role of relationships (more important to women), the role of aggression (higher for men), and sexual plasticity or tendency for change (higher for women). Peplau also claims that these differences are constant across cultures and sexualities, appearing for heterosexuals, lesbians, and gay men.
Leiblum (2002) claims that the desire gap is narrowing as women gain in social power, suggesting that the differences are largely socially created. However, neural imaging studies may show it to be more complicated. Fisher et al (2002) (including "love expert" Arthur Aron) break sexual attraction into three separate but related parts which have different neural correlates. The three "motivation systems" they identify are lust, romantic attraction, and male–female attachment. Understanding how these motivation systems are different may be pivotal in understanding not only human sexuality, but human motivation in general.
If I've seen any point of agreement among ftms on the effects of testosterone, it's on the increase in sex drive. Almost every ftm reports that their sex drive becomes much stronger after beginning hormones. In my own experience, the sex drive not only increased, but also changed in a very distinct way. "Sex" after testosterone became much more about orgasm. Masturbation became easier and more satisfying, which I was thankful for, because I found myself driven to distraction unless I orgasmed frequently. This shift in focus made me question what had been the motivation behind my high sex drive prior to hormones. The best explanation I could come up with is that sex had been an affirmation for me before hormones. Testosterone let me see sex as a release, instead of a crutch, and my self-esteem stopped depending so much on it.
Leiblum (2002) claims that the desire gap is narrowing as women gain in social power, suggesting that the differences are largely socially created. However, neural imaging studies may show it to be more complicated. Fisher et al (2002) (including "love expert" Arthur Aron) break sexual attraction into three separate but related parts which have different neural correlates. The three "motivation systems" they identify are lust, romantic attraction, and male–female attachment. Understanding how these motivation systems are different may be pivotal in understanding not only human sexuality, but human motivation in general.
If I've seen any point of agreement among ftms on the effects of testosterone, it's on the increase in sex drive. Almost every ftm reports that their sex drive becomes much stronger after beginning hormones. In my own experience, the sex drive not only increased, but also changed in a very distinct way. "Sex" after testosterone became much more about orgasm. Masturbation became easier and more satisfying, which I was thankful for, because I found myself driven to distraction unless I orgasmed frequently. This shift in focus made me question what had been the motivation behind my high sex drive prior to hormones. The best explanation I could come up with is that sex had been an affirmation for me before hormones. Testosterone let me see sex as a release, instead of a crutch, and my self-esteem stopped depending so much on it.