---
title: Does sexual behavior change across different phases of the menstrual cycle?
description: Sexual behavior varies across cycle phases. Masturbation is highest during the follicular and ovulatory phases for women without a partner, but not for those
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sexual-behavior-in-lesbian-and-heterosexual-women-relations-with-menstrual-cycle-2002/
---

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- Does sexual behavior change across different phases of the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2002

# Does sexual behavior change across different phases of the menstrual cycle?

Sexual behavior varies across cycle phases. Masturbation is highest during the follicular and ovulatory phases for women without a partner, but not for those with a live-in partner. Sexual activity with a partner peaks in the follicular phase for both groups.

 Moderate study design

147 heterosexual and 89 lesbian women, tracked over three complete menstrual cycles.

## What they did

147 heterosexual and 89 lesbian women recorded their daily sexual behavior and cycle phase using basal body temperature and cervical mucus over three complete menstrual cycles.

## What they found

For women without a live-in partner, masturbation was highest during the follicular and ovulatory phases. Sexual activity with a partner peaked in the follicular phase for both heterosexual and lesbian women. Lesbians engaged in more masturbation overall than heterosexual women.

## What it means for you

Sexual desire may be influenced by hormones during certain cycle phases, but having a regular partner changes this pattern. The study tracked women over a long period, but the sample is small and includes specific populations, so findings may not apply to all women.

147

heterosexual women

89

lesbian women

3

complete menstrual cycles tracked

## About the study

Original title Sexual behavior in lesbian and heterosexual women: relations with menstrual cycle phase and partner availability Authors Burleson MH, Trevathan WR, Gregory WL Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2002 Study design Survey study Participants 89 What was tested None - observational study. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(01)00066-x](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(01)00066-x)

## Topics

[Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/)[Libido and sexual function](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sexual-function/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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