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.
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
Topics
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