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.
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
Topics
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