The question “What does a man feel when he’s in love?” may be simpler to answer than it initially appears. Let’s delve into this topic by blending personal experiences with expert insights to uncover the truth. Here’s what we’ve found.
What Experts Say About What a Man Feels When He’s in Love
When someone is in the early stages of love, they often find it difficult to stop thinking about their partner.
Research on romance suggests that this obsession is a typical phase of new relationships, as partners build deeper emotional and physical connections. Evidence indicates that this process activates the brain’s dopamine reward system, the same mechanism associated with habits and addictions.
Additionally, studies have revealed that men in love exhibit hormonal patterns similar to those seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder, with serotonin levels dropping sharply.
Interestingly, while women in love show the opposite pattern—elevated serotonin levels—they report the same level of obsession as men.
One particularly intriguing finding is that a man’s testosterone levels tend to drop when he falls in love. This might explain why many men start displaying a softer side when they develop strong feelings for someone. In a healthy relationship, men often feel free to express their authentic selves instead of engaging in power plays or solely pursuing physical intimacy.
What Does a Man Feel When He’s in Love From a Sexual Perspective?
The findings are particularly surprising when viewed through the lens of sexuality. Much of what we’ve discussed so far pertains to the initial stages of romantic relationships, often characterized by an intense, obsessive desire for the other person.
Research suggests that this intensity may diminish as the relationship matures, but feelings of empathy, trust, and attachment grow stronger. Long-term love is believed to be largely regulated by oxytocin, a hormone that fosters bonding in mammals.
When people fall in love as adults, they tend to develop deeper compassion for each other. This can manifest in gestures like offering to handle tasks for their partner to lighten their load.
Interestingly, this process appears to work similarly for most individuals, regardless of gender. It is marked by an increased ability to view things from the partner’s perspective and anticipate their needs. However, more research is needed to validate and expand on these experiences, especially for gender-neutral, trans, and non-binary individuals.
Ultimately, it seems that men in love become more nurturing, prioritizing small acts of care over physical intimacy.
What Does a Man Feel When He’s in Love? A Personal Example
Personally, I can fully attest to the expert opinions outlined above. In the passionate phase of love, I’ve experienced states of near-obsession.
It’s important to distinguish between different relationship statuses. For instance, in cases of unrequited love, this obsessive state might last longer due to the absence of fulfillment. During such times, I’d cling to tiny sparks of joy—like a smile, a touch, or laughter provoked by my joke. And then, there were the lows: the frustration of being ignored despite my best efforts to attract attention.
In fulfilled love, however, the positive side of this obsession persisted. I was filled with joy, energy, and boundless motivation. New and exciting ideas for surprising and delighting my partner would pop into my head as if by magic.
This was, of course, directly proportional to the passion we shared.
Over time, the balance shifted toward care, attentiveness, and discovering the best ways to meet my partner’s needs.
This form of nurturing often outweighed sexual desires. At times, even a simple hug felt more meaningful than being a “numbers king” in the bedroom. Naturally, the level of passion can evolve over time for both men and women, which I believe is a natural progression. Desires may change, and the initial fervor might wane compared to the relationship’s early days.
Yet, the values outlined above seem to hold greater significance, offering a true reflection of what a man feels when he’s in love.
Source
How Men Fall In Love: Is It Different For Men And Women? | BetterHelp
