Cohort study, 2023
Does sexual desire change across the menstrual cycle?
Sexual desire does change with the menstrual cycle on average, but the pattern varies greatly between women. Some show increased desire mid-cycle while others show no change.
What they did
213 female university students recorded their sexual desire daily for 2 full menstrual cycles (2 months). They also reported psychological changes (5 types) and physical changes (4 types) related to their menstrual cycle. Researchers analyzed whether menstrual cycle and its related changes predicted changes in sexual desire.
What they found
On average, the menstrual cycle was associated with a small increase in sexual desire mid-cycle. However, there were large individual differences. Some women showed increased desire mid-cycle, others showed increased desire around their period, and others showed no change across the cycle. Psychological changes were more important than physical changes for predicting sexual desire.
What it means for you
Sexual desire and the menstrual cycle are linked, but the pattern differs between women. Psychological factors like mood matter more than physical changes. Daily tracking over 2 months is a study strength. Limitations include sexual desire being measured with only 2 questions and missing information about relationship status or sexual orientation, which could affect the findings.
213
female university students
2
menstrual cycles tracked
9
menstrual cycle-related changes measured
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual cycle-driven vs noncyclical daily changes in sexual desire
- Authors
- Kiesner J, Bittoni C, Eisenlohr-Moul T et al.
- Journal
- The journal of sexual medicine
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 213
- What was tested
- None; observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdad032
Topics
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