Men are more sexually aroused by visual stimuli than women are.

Is it true that men are more sexually aroused by visual stimuli than women are?

Partly. Several neuroimaging and rating studies report that men show stronger brain activation and higher subjective ratings in response to visual sexual stimuli than women, and a review calls the assumption generally empirically supported. However, one study found men and women did not differ in arousal ratings or pupil dilation, and reviews note the findings are confounded by stimulus content and measurement, so the evidence covers the claim only in part and points both ways.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 1 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

S, H., RA, H., CL, N., & K, W. (2004). Men and women differ in amygdala response to visual sexual stimuli.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1208

Wiemer, J., Kurstak, S., Sellmann, F., & Lindner, K. (2023). Sexual Stimuli Cause Behavioral Disinhibition in Both Men and Women, but Even More So in Men. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02514-1

HA, R. & K, W. (2008). Sex differences in response to visual sexual stimuli: a review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9217-9

Sex Differences in Response to Visual Sexual Stimuli: A Review - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9217-9

Data from: The effect of static versus dynamic stimuli on visual processing of sexual cues in androphilic women and gynephilic men. (2018). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.278n1

E, Z., A, M., O, V., M, H., K, K., J, L., & JG, P. (2026). Subjective Responses of Gynephilic Men and Women to Real versus Artificial Female Nudes.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03357-2