--- title: Does sexual interest change across the cycle and what role do pain, sleep and hormones play? description: Overall sexual interest does not change across the cycle, but women not using oral contraceptives show a slight mid-cycle increase in attraction while those u url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/female-social-and-sexual-interest-across-the-menstrual-cycle-the-roles-of-pain-2010/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does sexual interest change across the cycle and what role do pain, sleep and hormones play? Survey study, 2010 # Does sexual interest change across the cycle and what role do pain, sleep and hormones play? Overall sexual interest does not change across the cycle, but women not using oral contraceptives show a slight mid-cycle increase in attraction while those using them report greater overall attraction. Pain and sleep disturbances peak during menstruation. Early or limited evidence 20 women using oral contraceptives and 20 not using oral contraceptives ## What they did Measured hormones in saliva and asked 20 women using oral contraceptives and 20 not using them about sexual interest, physical discomfort, sleep, and exercise at three points: during menstruation, mid-cycle, and the luteal phase. ## What they found Physical discomfort and sleep disturbances peaked during menstruation in both groups. Overall sexual interest did not change across the cycle in either group. Mid-cycle increases in attraction were noted only in the non-OC group. OC users reported greater socio-sexual interest across all cycle phases compared to non-OC users. Hormone associations with attraction differed between groups and cycle phases. ## What it means for you Pain and sleep worsen during menstruation. Sexual interest patterns may differ between OC and non-OC users. Hormones appear to influence sexual interest based on contraceptive use. This small study relied on questionnaire responses, which can be affected by memory and expectations. 20 women using oral contraceptives 20 women not using oral contraceptives 3 measurement time points ## About the study Original title Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones Authors Guillermo CJ, Manlove HA, Gray PB et al. Journal BMC women's health Year 2010 Study design Survey study Participants 20 What was tested Measurement of hormones and socio-sexual interest across menstrual cycle Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-10-19](https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-10-19) Original abstract Background: Although research suggests that socio-sexual behavior changes in conjunction with the menstrual cycle, several potential factors are rarely taken into consideration. We investigated the role of changing hormone concentrations on self-reported physical discomfort, sleep, exercise and socio-sexual interest in young, healthy women. Methods: Salivary hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate-DHEAS, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, estradiol and estriol) and socio-sexual variables were measured in 20 women taking oral contraceptives (OC group) and 20 not using OCs (control group). Outcome measures were adapted from questionnaires of menstrual cycle-related symptoms, physical activity, and interpersonal relations. Testing occurred during menstruation (T1), mid-cycle (T2), and during the luteal phase (T3). Changes in behavior were assessed across time points and between groups. Additionally, correlations between hormones and socio-behavioral characteristics were determined. Results: Physical discomfort and sleep disturbances peaked at T1 for both groups. Exercise levels and overall socio-sexual interest did not change across the menstrual cycle for both groups combined. However, slight mid-cycle increases in general and physical attraction were noted among the control group, whereas the OC group experienced significantly greater socio-sexual interest across all phases compared to the control group. Associations with hormones differed by group and cycle phase. The estrogens were correlated with socio-sexual and physical variables at T1 and T3 in the control group; whereas progesterone, cortisol, and DHEAS were more closely associated with these variables in the OC group across test times. The direction of influence further varies by behavior, group, and time point. Among naturally cycling women, higher concentrations of estradiol and estriol are associated with lower attraction scores at T1 but higher scores at T3. Among OC users, DHEAS and progesterone exhibit opposing relationships with attraction scores at T1 and invert at T3. Conclusions: Data from this study show no change across the cycle in socio-sexual interest among healthy, reproductive age women but higher social and physical attraction among OC users. Furthermore, a broader range of hormones may be associated with attraction than previously thought. Such relationships differ by use of oral contraceptives, and may either reflect endogenous hormone modulation by OCs and/or self-selection of sexually active women to practice contraceptive techniques. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2025 Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2017 Does yoga help with PMS symptoms? 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