Cohort study, 2023
How do testosterone levels and receptor genes change across the cycle?
Testosterone increased during ovulation. Sexual interest and physical condition peaked during ovulation and correlated with changes in testosterone receptor gene expression. Most other mood and physical measures did not change significantly.
What they did
Study of 87 women across two cycles. At four timepoints per cycle (menstrual, preovulatory, mid-luteal, premenstrual), measured testosterone, LH, mood ratings, stress perception, physical well-being, and androgen receptor gene methylation.
What they found
LH and testosterone significantly increased during the preovulatory phase. Androgen receptor gene methylation decreased at the mid-luteal phase. Sexual interest and physical condition peaked during the preovulatory phase. Physical condition correlated negatively with androgen receptor methylation levels. Most other behavioral and physical parameters did not show significant changes.
What it means for you
Testosterone changes across the cycle and may influence sexual interest and physical condition, possibly by changing how testosterone receptors work. The main limitations are that most findings were modest and most measures did not change significantly. These are early exploratory findings that need validation in larger studies.
87
women studied
2
cycles tracked
4
timepoints per cycle
About the study
- Original title
- The androgen system across the menstrual cycle: Hormonal, (epi-)genetic and psychometric alterations
- Authors
- Krüger THC, Leeners B, Tronci E et al.
- Journal
- Physiology & behavior
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 87
- What was tested
- none (observational study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.114034