Personality and sexuality in relation to an index of gonadal steroid hormone balance in a 70-year old population
Persson, G.; Nilsson, L.V.; Svanborg, A.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research 27(6): 469-477
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3999 PMID: 6663518 DOI: 10.1016/0022-3999(83)90035-1Document Number: 409268
Relationships between an index of gonadal steroid hormone function and personality as well as sexual activity were studied in a sample representative for 70-year-olds in Gotenburg, Sweden. Personality was described by means of inventories, sexual activity through a systematic interview and the balance between androgen and oestrogen activity by the quotient between lecithin and lysolecithin in plasma. Men with a relative dominance of oestrogen activity reported a lower frequency of sexual intercourse than other men. Women with a relative dominance of oestrogen activity described themselves as more resourceful, active, confident, unconcerned with the opinion of others, and able to take care of themselves than other women. There were no associations in women between the hormonal balance and the frequency of sexual intercourse.