Survey study, 1999
Does sexual desire and function change during the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?
Yes. Women with premenstrual symptoms reported less sexual desire and less frequent sexual activity before their period than at other times in their cycle.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 115 women with premenstrual symptoms who answered questions about sexual desire, frequency of sexual activity, and satisfaction. Twenty-four women returned for follow-up visits at different points in their menstrual cycle.
What they found
Women assessed during the late luteal phase (before their period) reported less desire to have sex and had sexual activity less frequently than women assessed at other cycle phases. Among the 24 women who returned for follow-up visits, those assessed premenstrually reported fewer and less satisfying orgasms compared to when assessed at midcycle.
What it means for you
Sexual desire and satisfaction drop in the week or two before menstruation in women with premenstrual symptoms. This is based on what women reported about themselves, which shows what they experience but does not explain why it happens. Only 24 women completed follow-up visits, so the findings about changes in orgasm are based on a small group.
115
Women studied with premenstrual symptoms
24
Completed follow-up assessments at multiple cycle phases
About the study
- Original title
- Assessment of sexual functioning during the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Clayton AH, Clavet GJ, McGarvey EL et al.
- Journal
- Journal of sex & marital therapy
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 115
- What was tested
- None. Observational questionnaire study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/00926239908404005
Topics
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