Pretty Women Lower Male Stress!

Flirting with an attractive woman really does make men feel good, scientists find, as they discover it causes a surge in health-giving hormones!

Researchers found that just being in the presence of a pretty member of the opposite sex causes a temporary boost in levels of testosterone and cortisol – both hormones associated with alertness and wellbeing.

However hanging around with other men has the opposite affect – reducing the levels of both substances in the body. The findings suggest that men could be better off having a chat with their female friends than going down the pub with their mates!

The researchers at the University of California, whose findings are published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, carried out the study to see if humans replicated the boost found in animals known as the “mating response”. They recruited 149 male students aged between 18 and 24 with a third interacting with a male researcher of 25 and the others talking to one of seven young female undergraduates aged 18 to 22.

After the short five minute sessions the men were asked to rate the physical attractiveness of the women between one and seven. The average was 5.83 showing they found them alluring. The participants then swished with mouthwash before providing a sample of saliva into a collection vial which was tested within 20 to 40 minutes of exposure to the women.

Psychologists found that just a five minute talk with an attractive women raised the levels of testosterone by 14 per cent and the anti-stress hormone cortisol by 48 per cent. Spending the same time with men saw the hormones drop two per cent and seven per cent respectively.

Research into animals have long shown the same effect in animals which is known as the “mating response”. Testosterone is linked with the male libido, as well as health and wellbeing. It can also provide an energy boost. Cortisol also boosts alertness and calms the nerves at the same time. Together they can produce the effect of feeling more alive, it is said.

Dr James Roney, who led the study, and his colleagues believe that the increases do replicate the boosts found in animals. They said: “Both testosterone and cortisol increased among men who spoke with women but declined among men who interacted with other men.”

Dr Leslie Knapp, a biological anthropologist at the University of Cambridge, said the response was evolutionary and was to do with finding and competing for possible mates. “It all boils down to sex,” she said. “High levels of testosterone are associated with boosting sexual performance whereas cortisol helps focus your energy and helps you deal with anxiety.”

Testosterone levels peak in a man by his early twenties, and then gradually diminish. Men who are married or in long-term relationships have lower testosterone levels than those still playing the field. It is thought that when men find women attractive, their brains send messages to the pituitary gland, triggering production of testosterone.