Relationship status and testosterone in North American heterosexual and non-heterosexual men and women: Cross-sectional and longitudinal data

Summary 

Previous research has found that single heterosexual (Het) men have higher salivary testosterone (T) concentrations than partnered Het men. Here, we used both longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses to examine a more diverse population (n=258) that included Het and non-heterosexual (Non-Het) women and men. Results showed that, for Het men (but not Het women) and Non-Het women (but not Non-Het men), baseline T was significantly lower in partnered than unpartnered individuals. Longitudinal analyses indicated that changes in partnered status were not associated with changes in testosterone concentrations; instead, women and men with lower T at baseline were significantly more likely to be partnered at follow-up. These findings thus suggest that partnered status is associated with stable, trait-level T values, rather than current state. Furthermore, the observed effect is limited to individuals (male or female) who are oriented toward female partners. The results are discussed in terms of evolutionary trade-offs between single and multiple partners, and the possibility of female choice and/or disinterest.

Keywords: Relationship status, Testosterone, Gender, Sex, Sexual orientation