Tag Archives: genes

The Age You Lose Your Virginity Might Be Determined By Your Genes

Catherine StrawnSeptember 21, 2009 //

Girls who grew up without fathers at home tend to be early bloomers in the sex department compared with those whose fathers lived with them. Researchers have been trying to figure out the reason for this for years. Is it because there’s no watchful eye looking over them and keeping them in line? Is it a natural response that happens even in the animal world (that when a strange male, i.e., a stepfather or stepbrother, is around, girls grow up more quickly)?

Now, new analysis of data from the American National Longitudinal Survey of Youth offers another suggestion. Jane Mendle of the University of Oregon looked at NLSY surveys, which asked mothers a variety of questions, including whether the father of their children lived with them. The children of these women were asked questions starting at age 14, and, among other things, they were asked whether they’d engaged in sexual intercourse yet. Mendle and her colleagues compared cousins’ ages of first sexual intercourse — some of whom had their father living in their home and others who did not — to see whether early sexual activity could be genetic. Keep reading »

Genes Might Influence Why Men Don’t Commit

Jessica WakemanJune 18, 2009 //

Bad news for human females, as well as female voles (they’re rodents similar to mice): Swedish scientists have discovered that a man’s reluctance to commit might be in his genes. We’re not exactly sure how scientists figured out rodents don’t like to marry, but hey, whatever.

It’s called the “334 version of the AVPR1A gene” and it is more prevalent in men who didn’t want to pair up. The leader of the study said further research is required to find out how possible genetic mutations may affect women and the bonding hormone, oxytocin, which “seems to influence female pair-bonding more.” We guess this means if you’re chronically single, unforch, it might just be biology. [Times of London UK] Keep reading »

Sexy Solutions For Setbacks In The Sack

SimchaOctober 8, 2008 //

Groundbreaking researchers, at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, have found that premature ejaculation is all thanks to DNA. Previously thought of as a psychological problem or the result of effective lingerie, these doctors discovered it simply has to do with the gene that controls serotonin. The good is that it’s nobody’s fault that the sexy party is over before it really began. The bad news is that a third of men have this gene. So, what is a girl to do? Here are our Sexy Solutions For Setbacks In The Sack…

Keep reading »

Forget His Kiss, It’s In His DNA

SimchaSeptember 9, 2008 //

Finding that special someone can seem like an impossible search for a single gal, but the Swiss experts at Gene Partner have gotten the hunt down to a science. While normally it takes a little romance, a couple drinks, and at least one meal to know if a man is right for you and your crotch, these wise guys think they have it all figured out thanks to some stanky shirts. After a study was conducted at the University of Bern in which women picked which men’s t-shirt BO smelled the best to them, Dr. Wedekind was able to link that we’re subconsciously charmed by mates with the best baby making potential based on a dramatic difference in HLA, or the genes that inform your immune system. So, when it comes to long-term love and the success of your potential spawning, opposites do attract! But how do you get to know if your stats should bump uglies?

Keep reading »

S&M: Maybe She’s Born With It

SimchaJuly 14, 2008 //

The slang “natural born freak” is gaining some expert evidence. Like to be tied up, rode hard, and left wet…or do that to your lover? Well, some scientific theories are swirling that sadomasochism, whether you’re the dom or the sub, is innate. You’re born wanting to get it on with whips, handcuffs, paddles, gags, and leather or for those S&M vegans, pleather. While sadomasochistic sex has been portrayed in marriage manuals dating all the way back to ancient India, the roots of the desire are still being debated. In 1948, when renowned sex researcher, Alfred Kinsey, claimed nearly 50% of people like to be bitten during sex, scientists were shocked (or at least pretended to be). Ever since, the studies have been pouring in and people have been putting out, telling their deep, dark, dungeony secrets. Sure, some psychoanalysts think that S&M stems from fears of castrations or early childhood shame, but others have a new idea about the sex play. Vivienne Parry, a self-proclaimed S&M loving columnist with a science background [No relation! -- Editor], has done her homework and thinks that just like homosexuality, it’s in your genes if you like to get kinky. That it is in fact nature over nurture. Sounds like people are even more bound to bondage than they imagined! [Times] Keep reading »

The Daily Squeeze: Happiness, Chores, and Swedish Drugstores

Catherine StrawnMarch 6, 2008 //
  • Half of being happy comes down to genes, according to a study of nearly 1,000 pairs of identical twins. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that genetics controlled 50 percent of the personality traits that make people happy, while other factors, like relationships, health, and careers, determine the rest. [Reuters]
  • American men have increased how much housework they do, doubling their contribution in the last 40 years. Instead of washing dishes and folding laundry 15 percent of the time, which is how it was back in the 1960s, men now do more than 30 percent of the total housework, a report released by the Council on Contemporary Families says. We’d like to see that number come up to 50 percent in the next few years, and we’re pretty sure that 51 percent of the population would agree. [USA Today]
  • The state-run pharmacy chain in Sweden will begin selling sex toys to satisfy customer demand. After a survey revealed that customers wanted to see dildos and massage oils at stores, Apoteket decided to offer them for a one-year trial period starting in May. Will they be on Aisle 3, with the plastic forks and spoons? [The Local]

    • Keep reading »