Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough research suggests that socio-sexual behavior changes in conjunction with the menstrual cycle, several potential factors are rarely taken into consideration. We investigated the role of changing hormone concentrations on self-reported physical discomfort, sleep, exercise and socio-sexual interest in young, healthy women.MethodsSalivary hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate-DHEAS, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, estradiol and estriol) and socio-sexual variables were measured in 20 women taking oral contraceptives (OC group) and 20 not using OCs (control group). Outcome measures were adapted from questionnaires of menstrual cycle-related symptoms, physical activity, and interpersonal relations. Testing occurred during menstruation (T1), mid-cycle (T2), and during the luteal phase (T3). Changes in behavior were assessed across time points and between groups. Additionally, correlations between hormones and socio-behavioral characteristics were determined.ResultsPhysical discomfort and sleep disturbances peaked at T1 for both groups. Exercise levels and overall socio-sexual interest did not change across the menstrual cycle for both groups combined. However, slight mid-cycle increases in general and physical attraction were noted among the control group, whereas the OC group experienced significantly greater socio-sexual interest across all phases compared to the control group. Associations with hormones differed by group and cycle phase. The estrogens were correlated with socio-sexual and physical variables at T1 and T3 in the control group; whereas progesterone, cortisol, and DHEAS were more closely associated with these variables in the OC group across test times. The direction of influence further varies by behavior, group, and time point. Among naturally cycling women, higher concentrations of estradiol and estriol are associated with lower attraction scores at T1 but higher scores at T3. Among OC users, DHEAS and progesterone exhibit opposing relationships with attraction scores at T1 and invert at T3.ConclusionsData from this study show no change across the cycle in socio-sexual interest among healthy, reproductive age women but higher social and physical attraction among OC users. Furthermore, a broader range of hormones may be associated with attraction than previously thought. Such relationships differ by use of oral contraceptives, and may either reflect endogenous hormone modulation by OCs and/or self-selection of sexually active women to practice contraceptive techniques.

Association between appendicectomy in females and subsequent pregnancy rate: a cohort study

“…The higher use of oral contraceptives in this cohort may also influence modulation of endogenous sex hormones in oral contraceptives users. This is reported to confer a higher socio-sexual interest among these females across the cycle, without the significant fluctuations related to naïve cycle phases (13). Alternatively, this may simply be a matter of self-selection, in that females who take the oral contraceptive are more likely to be involved in a sexual relationship.…”

Histories of abuse predict stronger within-person covariation of ovarian steroids and mood symptoms in women with menstrually related mood disorder

“…Although E2 is somewhat elevated in the luteal phase, its primary peak occurs at midcycle concurrent with ovulation and peak fertility. These midcycle elevations in E2 are also associated with greater sexual interest (Guillermo et al, 2010; Roney and Simmons, 2013), and this greater orientation to sexual cues may activate abuse-related symptoms of anxiety about sexual functioning or revictimization among women with a history of sexual abuse (Neumann et al, 1996; Messman-Moore and Long, 2003). This suggests that women with MRMD who have histories of sexual abuse may be vulnerable to midcycle anxiety.…”

Actigraphic and self-reported sleep quality in women: associations with ovarian hormones and mood

“…The lack of consensus across these studies may arise from three factors: first, some sleep studies have used ovarian hormones to determine menstrual phase [5,10], whereas others have used the more subjective measure of self-reported menstrual phase [11]. Second, some sleep studies have used objective measures of sleep, such as actigraphy and polysomnography, whereas others have used selfreport [5,10].…”

“…Second, some sleep studies have used objective measures of sleep, such as actigraphy and polysomnography, whereas others have used selfreport [5,10]. Third, some sleep studies have examined the effects of exogenous hormone administration in perimenopausal women on sleep quality, making it difficult to compare them to studies assessing endogenous hormones in younger women of reproductive age [12][13][14].…”