Study, 1980
Does sexual arousal change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes, when women report without knowing the study tracks cycles, sexual arousal is lowest when progesterone is high and highest around ovulation. When women know what's being tracked, they report differently, showing that awareness affects how people report feelings.
What they did
Women reported sexual arousal daily for 11 weeks in two conditions: unaware (they thought it was about general rhythms, but researchers tracked menstrual cycles) and aware (they knew it was about menstrual cycle effects). Researchers analyzed 26 women not taking oral contraceptives over 1 to 3 menstrual cycles.
What they found
In the unaware condition, sexual arousal was lowest during the luteal phase and highest around ovulation, premenstrual days, and late menstrual days. In the aware condition, women reported the opposite pattern. Men's average arousal was 3.16, women not on contraceptives averaged 2.35, and women on contraceptives averaged 2.62.
What it means for you
Sexual arousal does vary through the menstrual cycle, but how women report their feelings depends on whether they know the study is tracking menstrual cycle effects. This shows how study design and awareness of expectations can change self-reports. Results were based on 1-3 cycles per woman.
26
women not on contraceptives
11
weeks of daily reporting
2.35
average arousal score (women, no contraceptives)
About the study
- Original title
- Female sexual arousal and the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Englander-Golden P, Chang HS, Whitmore MR et al.
- Journal
- Journal of human stress
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 35
- What was tested
- Two conditions - unaware (thought study was on general rhythms) versus aware (knew it was about menstrual cycle effects)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/0097840x.1980.9935017
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