From a very very informal survey on my facebook pages, asking:

“If money were no object, where would you spend your second honeymoon?”  Some responders mentioned Germany and Italy, one mentioned outer space.  But, 70% (16 out of 23) mentioned a tropical location.  (Be a part of the next informal survey, by liking my facebook page).

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WHY do the majority of answers mention locations of warmth and sunshine for couple time?  Why not go to Juneau, Alaska (no one mentioned Alaska)?  Wouldn’t it be fun to snuggle away the cold, naked under a bearskin and be ripe for some sexual relations?

Snow just doesn’t inspire delicious sensual feelings, at least in my opinion.   I CRAVE going to the beach and sunning year round.  After a beach day, my husband is particularly pleased, because sometimes I come home feelin’ randy.

And so, I ask my favorite question, “WHY?”  WHY do tropical locations seem to be favorite couple destinations?

Is there a correlation between SEX and the BEACH?

What I found was yet another libido enhancer:

THE SUN HAS AN SPF (Sexual Promotion Factor) of 3

SPF#1:  MELANIN (what makes skin darken)

When UVB radiation from sunlight hits the skin, there is DNA damage within the skin’s cells.  A protein known as p53, runs to the brain’s pituitary gland to sound the alarm.  Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) is triggered in the anterior pituitary gland.  This stimulating hormone signals melanin to be created in certain skin cells.  Melanin is the pigmentation that we call a ‘suntan.’  Melanin is a photoprotectant and defends the skin against further damage.

A study at the University of Arizona  has found that MSH is a factor in male (erectile activity) and female (increased sexual desire and genital arousal) sexual function.  A high amount of MSH being produced (as you are tanning), may indicate a higher sexual desire.

Suntans make you sexier in more ways than looks!

People of African American descent constantly produce melanin.

SPF#2:  TYROSINE (a foundational amino acid)

One of the building blocks of melanin is tyrosine.  Tyrosine also has a tie with increased libido, because tyrosine is a building block of L-dopamine.  L-dopamine promotes sexual motivation and genital reflexes.  Although, I have not found direct correlation, it would make sense to me that if there is a fair amount of tyrosine laying around making melanin, it may be making L-dopamine, too.  Therefore, could this be a second reason why sexual interest seems to increase with the beach?

SPF#3:  VITAMIN D

Vitamin D3 is formed when a type of cholesterol in the skin reacts with UVB sunlight.  The UVB index must be greater than 3 for this to occur.  (Coincidentally, the UVB index is always greater than 3 in the tropics.)

Vitamin D consists of 5 related molecules (D1-D5).  Vitamin D is a hormone precursor.  Most notably, for our purposes, it is a pre-cursor for the hormone, testosterone.  Testosterone for males is a libido key.  Female libido is also greatly affected by testosterone, although female libido is more multi-faceted than male.

In a study conducted of 2299 males at the Medical University of Graz, Austria,  a correlation was found between the level of vitamin D and the levels of androgens (testosterone, among other steroid hormones).  The highest levels of vitamin D and testosterone were found at the end of summer (August) and lowest at the end of winter (March).  Hence, there is a correlation between the amount of sunlight and the level of testosterone.  Lots of sun = Lots of testosterone.

I’m going to make a leap here not found in any scientific journal.  In my opinion, the sun can positively affect female testosterone production, as well.

Conclusion:

ONCE AGAIN, God has done it!  We are brilliantly biochemically connected to our environment.  What a fabulous cycle…fun in the sun creates health promoting molecules AND possibly a libido lift to keep you marriage oiled and running smoothly.

“A little knowledge of science makes a man an atheist, but an in-depth study of science makes him a believer of God,” Francis Bacon.

Practical Tools:

GET OUTSIDE!  (“Get the stink blown off,” as my mom used to say.)  Take a walk, go to the beach/lake/pool with the entire family or just the two of you, weed your garden, mow your grass, play cornhole.  Just GET OUTSIDE.    Then, may I suggest a Mr./Mrs. shower together afterwards?

VACATION SEX!  Listen to the podcast, funny thoughts and practical tips.  Episode 60: Vacation Sex