Testosterone predicts initiation of coitus in adolescent females
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to demonstrate, using longitudinal data, that the pubertal rise in testosterone (T) is associated with subsequent increases in female sexual interest and activity, and to examine these relationships within the context of a social control variable. METHODS: Using data from a 2-year panel study of approximately 200 black and white postmenarcheal adolescent females, the relationships among semiannual measures of T, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), pubertal development, and self-reports of coital and noncoital sexual activity were assessed. RESULTS: Testosterone and changes in T were significantly related to the timing of subsequent transition to first coitus for blacks and whites. Frequency of attendance at religious services operated as a social control variable among white females, and was found to moderate T effects on sexual transition for this group. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with a biosocial model proposing T as a causal factor in female sexual activity, and suggest that biological effects are moderated by relevant social variables.
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In a longitudinal study of girls post-menarche, the reverse relations to testosterone were found compared with the cross-sectional study.
“and their longitudinal study of girls post-menarche where the reverse relations to testosterone were found (Halpern et al. 1997).”
From The endocrinology of sexual arousal (2005) · cites this paper as Halpern et al. 1997
In cross-sectional studies, independent of pubertal stage and age, girls and boys with higher levels of testosterone are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse.
“In cross-sectional studies, independent of pubertal stage and age, girls and boys with higher levels of testosterone are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse (Halpern et al., 1997, Halpern et al., 1998).”
From Becoming a sexual being: The “elephant in the room” of adolescent brain development (2017) · cites this paper as Halpern et al., 1997
In longitudinal studies, individual changes in testosterone are associated with sexual debut for girls, but not for boys.
“In contrast, in longitudinal studies, individual changes in testosterone are associated with sexual debut (first sexual intercourse) for girls, but not for boys (Halpern et al., 1997).”
From Becoming a sexual being: The “elephant in the room” of adolescent brain development (2017) · cites this paper as Halpern et al., 1997
In one study, the association between testosterone and experiencing first sexual intercourse was statistically mediated by less frequent attendance at religious services.
“in one study, the association between testosterone and experiencing first sexual intercourse was statistically mediated by less frequent attendance at religious services”
From Becoming a sexual being: The “elephant in the room” of adolescent brain development (2017) · cites this paper as Halpern et al., 1997
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- Authors
- Halpern, C. T., Udry, J. R., & Suchindran, C.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- Venue
- Psychosomatic Medicine
- Published
- 1997
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 161-171
- ISSN
- 0033-3174 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2313369632
- Cited by
- 124
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 9.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychosomatic Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5p30hd018968-12)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD 05798, HD 12806, P30HD005798, HD-18968)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Keywords
- testosterone, adolescent sexual initiation, sexual intercourse, pubertal development, sex hormone-binding globulin, religious service attendance, social control, biosocial model, racial differences
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Coitus, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Puberty, Religion and Sex, Sexual Behavior, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Social Control, Informal, Testosterone, Proportional Hazards Models
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