---
title: Does PMS affect sexual function during the menstrual cycle? | Niyora
description: No, PMS does not affect sexual function. Sexual function was worse during the luteal phase regardless of whether women had PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-female-sexual-function-2021/
---

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- Does PMS affect sexual function during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2021

# Does PMS affect sexual function during the menstrual cycle?

No, PMS does not affect sexual function. Sexual function was worse during the luteal phase regardless of whether women had PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

Women in Brazil

## What they did

Cross-sectional survey using the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire during the luteal phase (before period) and follicular phase (after period). PMS was diagnosed using two screening tools.

## What they found

There was no difference in sexual function between women with and without PMS in either cycle phase. Sexual function scores were significantly worse during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase.

## What it means for you

PMS does not harm sexual function. However, the luteal phase itself naturally reduces sexual function in all women regardless of PMS. This is a single snapshot study so results may not persist over longer periods.

2

menstrual cycle phases compared

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Syndrome and Female Sexual Function Authors Conzatti M, Maciel RF, Perez AV et al. Journal Journal of sex & marital therapy Year 2021 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2020.1856988](https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2020.1856988)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Libido and sexual function](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sexual-function/)

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## Related studies

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