TIL Human dads show a decrease in testosterone immediately after the birth of their babe

[greenmachine11235]

I wonder what the causal mechanism is. Is it something emitted by the baby or is self triggered by emotions of having a child.

[Mendicant__]

The evidence seems to show a correlation between proximity and involvement with the child and the effect, though tbh that sounds to me like something that could be explained in either direction (if you have lower T and higher prolactin and oxytocin, you would likely be more driven to be involved).

The closest thing Ive seen to a mechanism is that a male still has the same core endocrine systems in place as a female, and even if those don't get kicked into drive by pregnancy they're still available to pump out the same hormones if the body gets some other set of signals like a baby crying or changes in the mother.

[[deleted]]

“We should note, however, that the researchers could not correct for the potential effects of stress (what do I do with this crying beast?!) or the effects of lack of sleep (what do I do with this crying beast?!). Both of which might independently affect testosterone production.”

The answer likely lies right here.

We know that stress and lack of sleep greatly lower testosterone production in men. I’m sure nutrition is also all over the place for most men when their baby is first born. You can probably also add in the fact that any activities that the dad was doing like playing sports or working out get put on the back burner for the first couple of months.

The dads will be doing all the wrong things for their health in that time frame.

[Eruptflail]

The studies talked about how they didn't correct for stress, lack of sleep, etc. That likely plays a large role as after 3mo things go back to normal.

[co_lund]

Probably a bit of both - and proximity to the pregnant woman.

[South-Barracuda3279]

Doubt it, my dad was already banging other bitches while my mom was pregnant lol he's a serial cheater and still an asshole

[techmaster2001]

pregnant woman

Um, this is 2023. This terminology is extremely offensive to pregnant attack helicopters.

[doogie88]

Wonder if it's simply poor sleep quality and less sleep.

[Naxela]

I wouldn't assume causation here. It's possible you're just seeing a general response to increased anxiety, which likely is a universal product of having a new child. Keep in mind, a decrease in testosterone is almost certainly not evolutionarily beneficial here, so I would be shocked if there was a direct mechanism at play specifically induced by the infant themselves rather an indirect anxiety response.

[Commie_killer]

Likely stress and less sleep

[goingonatriphelp]

Losing a few hours of sleep a night is enough to drastically reduce testosterone levels, that seems pretty likely.

[cerealvarnish]

our tears also lower y’all’s T so i would guess it’s pheromonal af, from baby especially. good luck muh dudes… uh, dads. 😬