Relationship between the Menstrual Cycle and Sexual Activity: Maybe Women Do Not Lose Estrus

Abstract

Abstract The menstrual cycle and women sexuality have long been an area of ​​research to understand both evolutionary and hormonal influences. This study examined the relationship between menstrual cycle and libido in women with regular menstrual cycles. Two different studies were conducted for this purpose. In the first study, 489 women were surveyed and asked about the day of their menstrual cycle and their libido and sexual activities on the day of the survey. In the second study, 25 women provided a daily diary throughout their one menstrual cycle, and their daily libido scores, whether they masturbated, and rate of initiating sexual activity with their partner were determined. All data were analyzed before and after ovulation and sub-analyses made for periods close to ovulation. We found in both studies were that sexual libido and its behavioral reflections increased before and immediately after ovulation. However, the findings also reveal the complexity of the menstrual cycle and women sexuality.