Does Interest in Sex Peak at Mid-Cycle in Ovulatory Menstrual Cycles of Healthy, Community Dwelling Women? An 11-Month Prospective Observational Study. Issue 2 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Macbeth, Allison B.; Goshtasebi, Azita; Mercer, G. William; Prior, Jerilynn C.
• Is Part Of: Women's reproductive health. Volume 8:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Interest in sex -- menstrual cycle diary -- quantitative basal temperature -- prospective -- menstrual cycles -- feeling of self-worth -- feeling of energy; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; 613.9
• DOI: 10.1080/23293691.2021.1901519
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2329-3691

Abstract

Abstract: Women's interest in sex is asserted to increase at the mid-cycle pre-ovulatory estradiol peak. We explored this belief in healthy, spontaneously normally menstruating/ovulating women. Women recorded "interest in sex" in a daily diary; validated Quantitative Basal Temperature analysis documented ovulation. Interest in sex showed no mid-cycle peak in 61 normal-weight, nonsmoking women, ages 33.7 ± 5.6 years, over a mean of 311 consecutive days. The cycle-plotted diary "self-worth" factor (including feelings of energy, interest in sex) also showed no mid-cycle peak. Thus, interest in sex is related more strongly to women's feelings/experiences than to hormones, challenging deterministic or sex-hormone-dependent cultural and sociobiological understandings.