Israeli scientists have concluded that the sun can affect a person’s libido. We find out how important ultraviolet light, melatonin, and the length of the solar day are for health and harmonious sexual relations.
Sun and libido. Is there a connection?
In spring and summer, many people become more energetic, active and loving. Even the desire to love returns to us with the sun. This is noticeable in the statistics of dating apps : they are downloaded much more often in spring and summer. But are changes in well-being and libido really related to the amount of sunlight?
A recent study by Tel Aviv University scientists showed that yes, the sun does affect sexual desire in men and women. Sun rays increased the amount of sex hormones, which was confirmed by blood tests of the subjects.
How does it work? Scientists have turned their attention to the protein p53 , which is present throughout the human body. When exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) light on the skin, it sends signals to the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads — the testicles in men and the ovaries in women. These organs trigger the work of sex hormones: testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.
Participants rated their sexual desire before and after the dose of ultraviolet light: men noticed more obsessive thoughts about their partner and a desire for affection, while women thought their partner seemed more ideal.
However, there are questions about the study. Many factors that can also affect sexual desire were not taken into account, and there were very few participants – only 19 people. The study proves the influence of the sun on the hormones responsible for the physiology of sexual desire. But some of the conclusions were made based on blood tests of mice – additional research involving people is needed.
Sexual desire is always about more than just physiology . Mood, context, relationship status, and more are also important, including other health factors that are affected by sunlight.
Lack of sunlight reduces vitamin D levels
Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when we walk directly under the sun. Specifically, we are helped to produce it by ultraviolet type B (UVB). Vitamin D can also be obtained from food and supplements: egg yolks, fatty fish and dairy products.
In Russian latitudes, as a rule, there are few sunny clear days, and in summer, being under the scorching sun for hours is not a good idea. All this reduces the production of vitamin D. Its deficiency can manifest itself in muscle pain, weakness and mood changes – symptoms of depression , fatigue and despondency may appear. Indirectly, this can affect libido.
Sexual desire consists not only of bodily reactions (signs of arousal, hormone production, etc.), but also of our emotions, feelings. When we feel down, tired, depressed, we literally have no energy and motivation to make love. It is normal to not want sex when we feel bad. It is important to stay in touch with yourself and seek help if the symptoms interfere with your life.
Without the sun, the internal clock is thrown off
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness. It helps set our internal clocks, or circadian rhythms , which tell us when to go to bed and when to wake up. They are usually set to wake us up in the morning and fall asleep in the evening: humans have had a hard time living at night evolutionarily because our eyes are not set up for night vision.
The discovery of fire and electricity changed the rules of the game a little. Now, apart from sunlight, any sufficiently bright light can block the production of melatonin. Think of the white nights or early summer sunrises: you may start to sleep worse if your bedroom is not protected from the light from the street. Gadgets that many people like to watch before going to bed have a similar effect. Blue light prevents you from falling asleep on time. If you have ever had jet lag, this is a good example of a messed-up internal clock. The body does not understand whether to sleep or not.
There is a type of depression that is linked to circadian rhythms and serotonin deficiency called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It “turns on” sadness, depression, a sense of hopelessness, and depressive symptoms during the winter when there is little sun.
Lack of sleep and “clock confusion” are stress for the body. Imagine that you are very tired or stressed. Surely at this moment your thoughts will not be about a night of passion, but about how this state will end quickly and you will return to normal. In an absolutely natural way, stress and poor sleep suppress sexual desire.
What to Do If You Suspect Lack of Sun Is Affecting Your Libido
Walk in the sun (at a safe time). Fresh air, clear weather and a brisk walk will help lift your mood and charge you with vitamin D. You can even invite your partner along. But remember that the sun’s rays are not only beneficial, but also harmful: they increase the risk of developing melanoma and trigger photoaging .
To protect your skin, dermatologists recommend protecting your skin with creams with a sun protection factor (SPF) of over 30, glasses that protect your eyes, and closed clothing during periods of active sun exposure.
Sleep well and stick to a routine . Our circadian rhythms love it when we fall asleep and wake up at roughly the same time (yes, even on weekends). Sleep experts also recommend following a few simple rules: don’t sleep too much during the day, let sunlight into the room, and exercise. If coffee and other caffeinated drinks have an effect on you, it’s best to avoid them in the afternoon to make it easier to fall asleep. Blackout curtains or sleep masks are great sleep aids during early summer sunrises. And a light alarm clock will help you wake up in the winter, when it’s dark and hard to come to your senses in the morning.
Ask for help. Our well-being is a key element of sexual desire. If there is something wrong or unclear in the body and feelings, this is a reason to ask for help. Patience, pain, sadness, fatigue – these are the things that can turn sex into an unpleasant experience. There are many people around who are ready to help: loved ones, friends, psychologists, doctors, sexologists . You can discuss all possible reasons for decreased libido with a doctor and talk about vitamin D, accept and experience difficult feelings with a psychologist , and ask your partner for support and acceptance.
Find other ways to express your feelings and spend time together. Lack of sunlight can affect sexual desire, but this is not the only possible reason for changes: stress at work, a difficult move to another country, a serious illness – all this can affect libido. Talking about your feelings and difficulties, continuing to be close when things are difficult, learning to survive life crises and periods without sex together is a difficult but important quest for partners. Now is the time to remember other ways to express feelings: hugging, kissing, watching your favorite TV series together, playing games or just relaxing.
Give yourself time. Yes, it happens: many people want sex less in winter due to lack of light, and in summer due to heat. It is normal that you have individual characteristics. The weather conditions are always supplemented by context, for example, holidays or a session, which can also affect libido. Check in with yourself and your condition, sex should bring pleasure, and not become violence against yourself.