Oxytocin in Males: How the Love Hormone Works in Men

We often hear about oxytocin in the context of new moms and its importance for mother-infant bonding through snuggling and breastfeeding. But do men have oxytocin?

Yes! This “love hormone” is vital to men’s emotional and physical health.

Keep reading if you're curious about how oxytocin functions specifically for men, its effects on relationships, and how to naturally boost oxytocin in the body.

Oxytocin is a nervous system hormone and neurotransmitter (brain chemical) primarily made in your hypothalamus.

This is a small region of your brain that’s essentially the “smart control center” of your body. It’s involved in the modulation of everything from your sleep-wake cycle to your sex drive, stress response, and temperature.

After it’s released, this hypothalamic hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream, impacting various systems throughout the body.

Oxytocin is heavily involved in human behavior and reproduction. It’s behind many of the positive feelings we experience — which is why it’s best known as the “love hormone.”

Oxytocin also has a “sister hormone” called vasopressin. While these two hormones have unique jobs, they share structural similarities and work together in social bonding, stress response, and reproduction.

Why is Oxytocin Called the Love Hormone?

Oxytocin is well-known for its role in promoting emotional bonding and social interactions.

This hormone is behind those butterflies when you first fall in love, that warm glow during a hug, and even the deep connection you feel with your closest friends or family.

Research has shown that men with higher oxytocin levels tend to exhibit greater empathy, trust, and attachment in relationships. These values are essential in forming and maintaining close relationships.

It also contributes to mood regulation and stress reduction with anti-inflammatory characteristics that help promote feelings of safety and calmness.

So, what does oxytocin feel like? Whether sparking romantic chemistry or helping you bond with a newborn, oxytocin fuels the emotional fireworks that make relationships special.

It doesn’t stop at romance, though — oxytocin also shows up when you’re laughing with others, petting your cat, or just feeling really connected to someone.

Beyond its emotional effects, oxytocin can influence physical processes like sexual arousal, sleep, and even heart function.

Although oxytocin may function slightly differently in men and women, it’s crucial for both genders’ emotional well-being and social behaviors. It’s what helps us build lasting connections and foster feelings of closeness.

Oxytocin levels in the body are primarily regulated by the brain, specifically through the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The release of oxytocin is usually triggered by specific stimuli, such as physical touch, social bonding, or even some stressors.

For instance, your brain may be prompted to release oxytocin when you hug, snuggle, or make meaningful eye contact with someone you love.

The flow of oxytocin during these moments makes you feel good, strengthens your bonds with others, and helps alleviate stress.

Like with any system in your body, natural feedback mechanisms keep oxytocin levels in check. After oxytocin is released, its production is reigned in, so you get the positive effects without your body going overboard.

However, oxytocin production can be disrupted by ongoing stress, feeling down or lonely, or other health issues that may spill over into emotional wellness. We’re all human — it happens.

What Happens When Oxytocin Levels Are Low?

While your body generally does a good job of keeping oxytocin in check, it’s possible for this hormone to drop below optimal levels. The most established instance of low oxytocin concentrations has been observed among kids with autism, but it can happen in adults, too.

Low oxytocin could have noticeable emotional and physical effects, such as:

• Trouble cooperating with peers or forming close bonds with others

• Trust-related issues

• Reduced sense of empathy (inability to put oneself in another’s shoes)

It’s also possible that low oxytocin can make you more aware of your loneliness or feel more stressed or anxious than usual. And this doesn’t just affect you — it affects your emotional connections with those around you.

Low oxytocin levels may also be correlated with higher levels of cortisol — the stress hormone — in your body, which means they could increase your stress and anxiety.

Furthermore, some research indicates that because oxytocin is involved in sexual function and satisfaction, intimacy issues with a romantic partner may ensue with low oxytocin.

Can Oxytocin Levels Become Too High?

While oxytocin levels can rise — such as in response to prolonged or excessive stimulation — it’s rare.

If oxytocin levels are sky-high, it could make you vulnerable to engaging in overly emotional or dependent behaviors. For men, high oxytocin levels could translate to either possessiveness or being overly trusting in relationships.

A surplus of this hormone could also interfere with the ability to respond appropriately to social situations — possibly making you say something you would usually keep to yourself, for example.

The bottom line? Oxytocin is a hormone that thrives on balance.

When it’s maintained within standard levels, you’re more likely to experience emotional stability and healthy social bonding. In the less common scenarios of oxytocin being too high or too low, you may notice emotional or physical impacts.

Now that you understand the purpose of oxytocin in your body, you may wonder whether it has specific roles in men — and the answer is yes. Here are some of the ways your oxytocin is working for you.

Emotional and Social Bonding

Oxytocin is like the secret wingman you didn’t know you had, helping you navigate bromances and romantic relationships alike.

It's the hormone that turns a simple high-five into a lifelong friendship and gives guys the green light to talk about their feelings over a beer without awkward silence.

You’ve probably realized by this point that emotional intelligence trumps chiseled abs in romantic partnerships, and nothing says "relationship material" quite like a man who can be open with his feelings (within reason).

Research shows that couples in the early stages of their romantic attachment have significantly higher levels of oxytocin than single people. But oxytocin isn’t just about initial bonding — it’s about maintaining meaningful social connections for the long haul.

Sexual Function and Intimacy

When you get aroused, oxytocin swoops in to help set the mood. It helps crank up the intensity during orgasm, acting like an emotional superglue, and shows up for cuddle time after sexual activity to continue solidifying your bond.

Studies even back this up, showing that oxytocin levels soar during and after sex and don’t return to baseline until about 30 minutes post-ejaculation.

Oxytocin is so heavily intertwined with intimacy that some researchers have spent time looking at its influence on male behaviors in sexual relationships.

For example, one study found that oxytocin can increase a man’s attraction to his romantic partner. There may even be an association between oxytocin levels and sexual behavior and fidelity in relationships (but let’s please not reduce the complexities of that behavior to a single hormone).

On another note, if you’re looking for ways to spice up your relationship, check out our guide to six ways to revive a relationship sexually.

Parental Behavior

Oxytocin is also a key component in forming lifelong bonds with your kids, melting dads into softies from the moment a baby is born. That’s why skin-to-skin contact is so important for new dads — it boosts oxytocin release and supports your early bond.

Oxytocin is primed and ready at any opportunity to strengthen your bond with your kid — when you’re building Legos together, attending a stuffed animal tea party, or wiping away tears after a lost soccer game.

Basically, oxytocin helps cultivate your inner nurturer, encouraging patience, empathy, and compassion so you can bring your A-game to fatherhood.

Stress and Mental Health

Oxytocin is an important stress-buster, trickling in like a calm, collected therapist when life gets chaotic. It helps dial down stress and anxiety, especially when you find yourself navigating awkward or challenging social situations.

Furthermore, oxytocin plays a significant role in regulating your mood. Some studies suggest that higher oxytocin levels might be linked to lower depression rates, but the data has been inconclusive, and more research is needed.

Check out our guide to the causes of depression in men for more info on this topic.

Oxytocin isn’t just about good vibes and bonding — it's also crucial to a man's overall health. From heart health to stress management, oxytocin quietly helps ensure that guys are at the top of their game.

Cardiovascular Health

Oxytocin is like a heart whisperer, helping to keep things ticking smoothly. Because it has stress-reducing effects, it can lower blood pressure and improve circulation. Studies suggest that oxytocin can also help protect your heart from wear and tear, which is especially important as we age.

Prostate Health

Some research hints that oxytocin plays a role in keeping the prostate healthy by promoting smooth muscle function and potentially protecting against certain prostate-related issues. It’s not a magic bullet but could be important for male reproductive health.

Stress Relief and Cortisol Reduction

When life throws curveballs, oxytocin steps in and helps bring down cortisol levels. It’s a natural stress reliever, helping you feel more relaxed and in control, even in high-pressure situations.

Whether after a long day or a tough workout, oxytocin is there, quietly reducing stress and restoring balance.

Improving Sleep

Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? Your body might benefit from a flux of oxytocin.

A recent study using rats found that oxytocin can prepare the brain for rest and promote sleep by reducing anxiety and encouraging relaxation. However, results from male rat studies can’t be applied to male humans, and more research is needed.

Luckily, boosting oxytocin levels doesn’t require anything fancy. In general, your body will figure out when to produce it so you get all the benefits.

But, if you’re looking to up your oxytocin, it’s all about connecting with others and creating meaningful experiences. Here are some simple ways for men to naturally experience oxytocin increases.

Physical Touch

Oxytocin loves touch. Hugging, holding hands, and intimate contact are direct lines to higher oxytocin levels. Whether it’s a quick hug with a friend or snuggling up with a partner, physical touch is one of the easiest and most effective ways to tap into the power of this hormone.

Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones (or Pets!)

Oxytocin thrives on connection, whether with a human or your dog. Spending time with loved ones, catching up with friends, or just chilling with Fido can naturally elevate oxytocin levels.

Engaging in Activities that Promote Bonding

Group activities that build trust and camaraderie, like working on a house project or hitting the green together, are oxytocin gold. Teamwork and shared experiences foster a sense of belonging and trigger the release of feel-good hormones in the process.

Stress-Relieving Activities

Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga lower cortisol levels and help release oxytocin. Taking time to unwind and focus on the present is like recharging oxytocin.

Oxytocin makes you feel warm and fuzzy, which is one of its greatest assets. However, it’s also playing a growing role in modern medicine.

A synthetic oxytocin drug called Pitocin^Ⓡ is frequently used in medical settings. For example, if you have kids, Pitocin may have been used to help speed up their entrance into the world.

It’s a common labor induction drug because oxytocin treatment helps stimulate contractions. The administration of oxytocin can also help control postpartum bleeding.

But while you may be aware of oxytocin for these reproductive uses, you might not know that it has the potential to help people far beyond the delivery room.

Researchers are becoming more interested in how oxytocin may be used in psychiatry to help treat various mental health conditions, especially among men.

For example, intranasal oxytocin (given as a nasal spray) is being explored for a therapeutic role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, and other stress-related conditions.

The theory is that oxytocin’s ability to reduce stress, increase trust, and enhance social bonding could make it an effective treatment for individuals experiencing anxiety or trauma-related issues.

In other words, while the “love hormone” reputation is well-earned, oxytocin may also be an important tool in the future of mental health treatment.

Note that over-the-counter oxytocin is available for intranasal administration, but it’s not FDA-approved — and we don’t have the pharmacology data to recommend using it.

Oxytocin is involved in many of the good things we experience and feel about other people in our lives. While more research is needed to understand the full extent of how it influences us, here are the key takeaways about the role of oxytocin in males:

• It helps ease stress and anxiety. When you’re under stress, your body releases oxytocin to help lower high cortisol levels and get you feeling back in control.

• It promotes social bonding and intimacy. Oxytocin isn’t just for pair bonding among moms and babies — it also helps you bond with your kids, bros, and lovers. Your brain releases it to help you form and maintain lasting connections with people you enjoy spending time with.

• It’s important for physical and emotional wellness. This hormone is always at work, supporting your sleep, heart and prostate health, mood regulation, and sexual function.

• You can do things to boost its production. You don’t need to go out and buy oxytocin nasal spray. Instead, there are everyday things you can do to help optimize the effects of oxytocin, like spending intentional time with loved ones and doing simple things like hugging or holding hands.

Interested in learning more about supporting these important areas of your health? Check out our mental health and sexual health resources.