---
title: How do hormones, sexual interest, and mood change during the menstrual cycle?
description: Testosterone clearly changes across the cycle. Women without premenstrual complaints had higher estradiol levels and different sexual interest patterns compar
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/psychoendocrinological-assessment-of-the-menstrual-cycle-the-relationship-1997/
---

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- How do hormones, sexual interest, and mood change during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 1997

# How do hormones, sexual interest, and mood change during the menstrual cycle?

Testosterone clearly changes across the cycle. Women without premenstrual complaints had higher estradiol levels and different sexual interest patterns compared to women with complaints.

 Early or limited evidence

21 healthy women (11 with premenstrual complaints, 10 without)

## What they did

Study of 21 healthy women (11 with premenstrual complaints, 10 without) followed through one menstrual cycle. Researchers took frequent blood samples to measure hormone levels and participants kept daily diaries about sexual interest and mood.

## What they found

Clear cycle effects on testosterone and free testosterone index. The group without premenstrual complaints had significantly higher estradiol and a higher estradiol-progesterone ratio across the cycle. That group reported peak sexual interest during the premenstrual phase, while the group with complaints peaked during ovulation. Both groups showed differences in fatigue across the cycle but not in other mood measures.

## What it means for you

Hormone levels, especially testosterone and estradiol, relate more clearly to changes in sexual interest than to mood changes across the cycle. Women without premenstrual complaints have different hormone patterns. The study was very small with only 21 women and only one menstrual cycle observed.

21

women total

11

with premenstrual complaints

1

menstrual cycle tracked

## About the study

Original title Psychoendocrinological assessment of the menstrual cycle: the relationship between hormones, sexuality, and mood Authors Van Goozen SH, Wiegant VM, Endert E et al. Journal Archives of sexual behavior Year 1997 Study design Survey study Participants 21 What was tested None; observational study with daily diaries and hormone measurements Read the paper [doi.org/10.1023/a:1024587217927](https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1024587217927)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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