Research published in Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise found that men who exercise strenuously are likely to have a lower libido than those who prefer a light workout.
Their survey asked 1,100 physically active adult men about how often they thought about and engaged in sex, as well as their exercise habits including how often and intensely they workout out.
This goes against traditional lines of thinking that physical activity increases production of testosterone, theoretically boosting libido.
The researchers didn’t delve into what caused the link between extreme sweat sessions and a diminished sex drive, but speculated that it both physical fatigue and lower testosterone levels post-workout could play a role.
Co-author Dr. Anthony Hackney says that their findings are especially for those who are going through relationship counselling or are struggling to conceive.
“Fertility specialists will often ask a woman about whether and how much she exercises,” he says. “Based on our data, we think they should also be asking the man.”
This article originally appeared on Women's Health.
