How a man's sex drive is linked to a breast milk hormone: Men who lack desire have low levels of it.

Men with a poor sex drive may have low levels of a hormone traditionally associated with breastfeeding.
A study has found that men with reduced levels of prolactin had worse health both sexually and overall.
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which lies under the brain. It is best known for its role as the hormone that stimulates breast development and milk production in women.

Worried: Men with a poor sex drive may have low levels of the hormone prolactin, a new study has found

But it also has many other functions, including providing the body with sexual satisfaction. The hormone is thought to counteract the effect of dopamine, which is responsible for sexual desire. Until now, it was thought that high levels it affected a man's performance in the bedroom, so the researchers say they were surprised by the new findings.

 

The study, reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, assessed 3,000 European men aged between 40 and 79. They had levels of the hormones testosterone and prolactin checked, and also their cholesterol, blood sugar and BMIs measured.

Prolactin is best known for its role as the hormone that stimulates breast development and milk production in women, but is also involved in sexual desire. Finally, they answered questions about their general and sexual health, alcohol consumption and whether they smoked. Men who had low levels of prolactin also had signs of poor sexual and psychological health, LiveScience reported. If a man had a lower than average level, he was more likely to report feeling depressed, poor sexual functioning and was less likely to enjoy orgasms.

These men were also more likely to feel less healthy overall, and have indicators of poor health such as high BMI, blood sugar, and doing less physical activity.The results of the study contradict what has previously been thought about prolactin - that high levels hamper performance and desire. In fact, previous studies found that rats who had their prolactin levels increased got a boost.One theory is that poor health in general causes low levels of the hormone. Men who drink alcohol to excess and smoke are known to suffer sexual performance problems such as erectile dysfunction. Another theory is it's possible that low prolactin 'mirrors a change in the levels of signaling chemicals in the brain that regulate sexual behavior', the website reported.

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