Hands-on fathers typically see about a 25% testosterone drop, researcher says

What was said

"typically men when their hands on as fathers show about a 25% drop in testosterone and some of the best studies of this have been done longitudinally in the Philippines. Before we had longitudinal studies people said well maybe lower testosterone men are just choosing to become fathers."

Saxbe says longitudinal studies, including work in the Philippines, show men’s testosterone typically drops by roughly a quarter when they become hands-on fathers, addressing earlier questions about whether lower-testosterone men simply self-select into parenthood. She also says her lab found higher post-birth testosterone in fathers was associated with partners reporting more relationship dissatisfaction and more intimate partner aggression, while very low testosterone was linked with higher paternal postpartum depression symptoms.