--- title: Does sexual arousal change during the menstrual cycle? | Niyora description: Yes, when women report without knowing the study tracks cycles, sexual arousal is lowest when progesterone is high and highest around ovulation. When women kn url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/female-sexual-arousal-and-the-menstrual-cycle-1980/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does sexual arousal change during the menstrual cycle? Study, 1980 # Does sexual arousal change during the menstrual cycle? Yes, when women report without knowing the study tracks cycles, sexual arousal is lowest when progesterone is high and highest around ovulation. When women know what's being tracked, they report differently, showing that awareness affects how people report feelings. Early or limited evidence 35 women total (26 not taking oral contraceptives for main findings), and men ## What they did Women reported sexual arousal daily for 11 weeks in two conditions: unaware (they thought it was about general rhythms, but researchers tracked menstrual cycles) and aware (they knew it was about menstrual cycle effects). Researchers analyzed 26 women not taking oral contraceptives over 1 to 3 menstrual cycles. ## What they found In the unaware condition, sexual arousal was lowest during the luteal phase and highest around ovulation, premenstrual days, and late menstrual days. In the aware condition, women reported the opposite pattern. Men's average arousal was 3.16, women not on contraceptives averaged 2.35, and women on contraceptives averaged 2.62. ## What it means for you Sexual arousal does vary through the menstrual cycle, but how women report their feelings depends on whether they know the study is tracking menstrual cycle effects. This shows how study design and awareness of expectations can change self-reports. Results were based on 1-3 cycles per woman. 26 women not on contraceptives 11 weeks of daily reporting 2.35 average arousal score (women, no contraceptives) ## About the study Original title Female sexual arousal and the menstrual cycle Authors Englander-Golden P, Chang HS, Whitmore MR et al. Journal Journal of human stress Year 1980 Study design Study Participants 35 What was tested Two conditions - unaware (thought study was on general rhythms) versus aware (knew it was about menstrual cycle effects) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/0097840x.1980.9935017](https://doi.org/10.1080/0097840x.1980.9935017) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2026 Does sleeping longer improve mood and fitness in elite athletes? Randomised trial, 2017 Does the combined oral contraceptive pill affect mood? Survey study, 2025 What psychological and personal factors predict which university students will develop premenstrual syndrome? Survey study, 2024 What attitudes do women have about menstruation and what affects these attitudes? Survey study, 2023 Is PMDD diagnosis associated with more severe depression and anxiety and lower well-being? Survey study, 2022 Do female athletes get enough knowledge and support about their period? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗