Far from sucking the joy out of their lives, doing the hoovering actually makes blokes raring to go in the bedroom. Boffins also found tasks like dusting can turn them on
Doing chores makes blokes feel horny, new research shows. Those who take on their fair share of domestic tasks report increased libido.
And it only drops when they are forced to do more parenting and childcare duties, the study showed.
Researchers from Canada and the US investigated reported sexual desire based on the balance of tasks couples perform within the home.
They found men who take on a more equal share of the domestic drudgery – such as hoovering and cleaning – can boost their libido as a result.
In general, women reported taking on most daily tasks, from cleaning and childcare to meal planning. For overstretched females, it resulted in a drop in libido.
Men, in contrast, took on more of the home and car maintenance tasks overall, including things like DIY and mowing the lawn.
Their libido only dropped when they had to look after the kids. But when they completed more cleaning and dusting-type chores, they reported a libido boost.
The study does not make clear whether a more equal balance meant reducing the burden on their partners – boosting the chance of sex.
Writing in The Journal of Sex Research, the authors said the research could save marriages.
“This pattern may reflect gendered expectations around cleaning as a taken-for granted or invisible task for women, but a more discretionary or appreciated contribution for men,” they said.
“Our findings have important clinical and practical implications.
“Clinicians working with couples in which a woman reports low sexual desire may benefit from exploring couples’ expectations about gender roles and division of labour.”