---
title: Does fragrance affect sexual arousal and mood differently at different times in the menstrual cycle?
description: Fragrance may have some effect on sexual arousal during the follicular phase, but the effect was small and likely not related to mood. The periovulatory phase
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-fragrance-on-female-sexual-arousal-and-mood-across-the-menstrual-2000/
---

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- Does fragrance affect sexual arousal and mood differently at different times in the menstrual cycle?

Non-randomised trial, 2000

# Does fragrance affect sexual arousal and mood differently at different times in the menstrual cycle?

Fragrance may have some effect on sexual arousal during the follicular phase, but the effect was small and likely not related to mood. The periovulatory phase was naturally associated with greater arousal and positive mood.

 Early or limited evidence

Female participants (number not specified)

## What they did

A nonrandomized study where women were tested during two menstrual cycle phases (midfollicular and periovulatory). In each phase, they were exposed to three fragrance conditions (female fragrance, male fragrance, and neutral substance) while viewing erotic and neutral films and fantasizing.

## What they found

Women reported greater sexual arousal and more positive mood during the periovulatory phase compared to the follicular phase. Male fragrance had a positive effect on genital arousal during sexual fantasy, but only during the follicular phase. This fragrance effect was not explained by mood changes.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle phase naturally affects sexual arousal and mood. Fragrance may have a small effect on arousal during one phase, but the practical significance is unclear. The study does not report how many women were included and was not a randomized controlled trial.

## About the study

Original title Effects of fragrance on female sexual arousal and mood across the menstrual cycle Authors Graham CA, Janssen E, Sanders SA Journal Psychophysiology Year 2000 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Three fragrance conditions: female, male, and neutral Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/1469-8986.3710076](https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-8986.3710076)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)

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