3 Fascinating Reasons Why Seasonal Horniness Is a Thing
You’re doing all the hectic holiday things… buying gifts, wrapping things up (no pun intended) at work before taking time off, getting the house ready for guests, making travel plans, stressing about family stuff, knowing you’re probably not going to hit the gym again till January, and all the tasty treats between now and then aren’t going to make it any easier. This time of year is… ahhh!
So of course you’re… totally in the mood? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Seasonal horniness is actually a real thing and there is solid science to explain why. While some people’s libido takes a hit during the holidays for a bunch of different reasons… many of us are down to gettin’ it on this time of year.
Seasonal horniness is not limited to humans. Yep, the cold winter months are sexy time for sheep too.¹ Oh, and don’t forget pandas.² The truth is most mammals’ peak mating season is in the middle of winter, and humans are no exception.³ So if you’re feeling especially frisky lately, it’s ok to blame it on the season. But what does the science say?
Wait, men find women more attractive in the winter?
I’m sure you’re thinking, is it Grandma’s knitted hat, scarf, and mitten ensemble I’ve buried under the ugly Christmas sweater with the blinky lights, or 5+ pounds I’ve gained since Thanksgiving? Before you hate on your holiday sweater collection too much… that may be exactly what’s making you more desirable right now. Seriously.
According to a study published in Pubmed, the way men perceive women’s attractiveness actually changes with the seasons. And no, it’s not just about seasonal hormonal changes. We’ll get to that in a little bit.⁴
This study included 114 heterosexual men. Over 5 seasons they were asked to rate pictures of women with varying body shapes. They were also shown pictures of female faces and breasts. For each season they totaled up all the scores for each category. The results may surprise you.
The attractiveness scores for faces were the same regardless of the season. But the scores for body shape and breasts were way higher in the winter, and actually lowest in the summer. Why is that? Men see a lot more of women’s bodies when it’s hot outside… think how much we all strip down to the bare minimum when it’s 100 degrees out. Turns out, this actually affects where they set the bar of attractiveness. But in colder months when there’s not so much on display, they’re just happy to see us. When they haven’t seen much skin in a while, what they called average in the summer starts lookin’ pretty good.
Why are so many babies conceived in December?
You ever feel like you spend all summer at birthday parties? It’s not just your imagination. In the US, most babies are conceived in December. This means that statistically a lot of your friends have summer birthdays.
So how can we explain the math? Honestly, it can be a lot of things. Holiday parties usually have people in a festive mood. Who knew your partner looked so good in plaid? And as chaotic as the winter months can be, many of us take a much needed break from our busy routines. That downtime is ideal to relax and enjoy some alone time with your favorite person.
Some have explained these statistics with cultural influences like traditional wedding seasons. But studies have shown that there’s actually very little correlation between wedding dates and 9 month later birth dates.
It’s gotta be something else. Cultures all around the world see a correlation between temperature and daylight, and birth rates. Studies show that not only do people have more sex on the shorter days when it’s cold, but there’s also actually an increase in fertility.
These seasonal fluctuations make a lot of sense in animals. They are subject to the elements, changing availability of food and shelter, movements of predators, and things like that. But why are so many human babies conceived in December? We come from so many different cultures, socioeconomic levels, and environments. It’s a question the experts are still wrestling with. They’ll get back to us on that. ⁷
What’s the deal with sex and serotonin levels?
Scientists have long understood the link between sex and serotonin levels. Higher serotonin levels equal lower sex drive. And low serotonin levels… boom, libido is back! Many people that take antidepressants know that they dramatically improve their quality of life and mental health. Since many of these medications boost serotonin levels, they also decrease your sex drive.⁵
But what natural changes happen with serotonin in the winter? Well, exposure to sunlight boosts serotonin levels in our bodies. But during the cold winter months, the days are so much shorter. There’s just not as much chance to get our fix of this interesting hormone. While this may have an undesired effect on our mood and ability to focus, apparently a dip in serotonin does great things for your sex life.⁶
Sex and serotonin levels have mostly been studied in males. But researchers say there is now data to support this is also true for females. And new studies suggest that low serotonin levels lead to more sexual activity regardless of gender identity or sexual preference. So no matter who you are or who you love, less sunlight = less serotonin = more sex. Woot woot!
Human sexuality is absolutely fascinating. How would you benefit from a better understanding of seasonal horniness? Or anything else related to sexual health, libido, and relationships. I’d love to help. Check out my website to start reaching your full potential: Kayna Cassard
¹ Why do sheep get horny in winter? Because the light is baaad, says study | Animals | The Guardian
³ Mating season for mammals | Life & Arts | wvgazettemail.com
⁴ Men's attraction to women's bodies changes seasonally
⁵ Serotonin and sexual preference: Is it really that simple? - Scientific American Blog Network
⁶ What Are the Benefits of Sunlight?
⁷ Why More Babies Are Conceived in the Cold Winter Months | Science | Smithsonian Magazine
