3 ways the winter can affect your sex life

Not everyone experiences the same winter, but for quite a few million people in the United States, the cold season means frigid temperatures, minimal sunlight and less time spent outdoors. Not surprisingly, it is a season where our moods can take a downward spiral, and with our moods, our sex life may suffer, too.

But there are certain truths about sex during the winter that you shouldn’t ignore–especially if you are under the impression your sex life just has to take a back seat during the winter months.

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3 ways winter can affect your sex life

• You may actually have more sex during the winter: Though there are things working against your libido in the cold months?like seasonal depression?research published in The Psychology of Human Sexuality, noted that male study participants found women more physically attractive during cold weather. The experts speculate this has something to do with the fact cold weather clothing typically hides a person’s figure, so when men actually do see some curves, they are turned on faster.
• Missing sunlight can decrease your sex drive: There are a number of theories as to why sex drive decreases for some people during the winter, but one of the most popular thoughts is that a lack of sunlight has something to do with it. Studies indicate daylight promotes the production of serotonin, a hormone that improves mood and increases sex drive. The more darkness a person is exposed to, states the National Sleep Foundation, the more the body replaces serotonin with melatonin?a hormone associated with sleep and making the body feel less alert. Experts feel this all goes back to mankind’s most primitive time when winter was for hibernating and warmer months were for procreation.
• The holiday season is one of the highest times for conception: Trying to have a baby? Maybe you should shoot for the holidays. A study from the University of Texas found more babies are conceived during the holidays than any other time of the year. Though the exact reasons behind this aren’t completely clear, experts indicate “deterioration of sperm quality during summer, seasonal differences in anterior pituitary-ovarian function caused by changes in the daylight length, and variation in quality of the ovum or endometrial receptivity,” as well as the simple joy of the holiday season all have something to do with it.

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The most important thing to remember about your sex life during the winter is that it is not likely a reflection on your attractiveness. If you or your partner seems disinterested in sex, it could just be a part of biology. Make sure you keep the lines of communication open; remember, communication is one of the keys to a happy, healthy sex life.