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Vol. 24 No. 3 (2020)

Artículos de Revisión

Does the timing of the menstrual cycle affect female sexual function?

  • Andrea Álvarez-Arruti
    • ,
  • Camil Castelo-Branco

Andrea Álvarez-Arruti
Clinic Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Camil Castelo-Branco
Clinic Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23878/medicina.v24i3.1235

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Abstract

Background: Female sexuality is controlled by neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine or serotonin which are influenced by steroid hormones. These hormones vary during the menstrual cycle making it possible for female sexuality to vary as well.
Objective: To analyze if the components of the female sexual response vary during the menstrual cycle, evaluating if the total scores and per domain of the FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) vary in the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Methods: Cisgender women aged between 18 and 45 with regular and natural menstrual cycles filled out the FSFI in four different moments of the cycle: menstrual or early follicular, late follicular, ovulatory and luteal. Results were analyzed in a descriptive way with One-way ANOVA (Fisher’s LSD test) and bivariate correlation test (Tau b Kendall).
Results: During the menstrual phase, when ovarian hormones are lowest, all FSFI domain scores were worst (lower scores). During the other phases, scores increased chronologically. According to the evolutionist theory, desire shows an ovulatory peak.
Conclusion: FSFI scores (total and by domain) vary during menstrual cycle.

Keywords

Sexuality, female, menstrual cycle, female sexual function, index, women

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How to Cite

1.
Álvarez-Arruti A, Castelo-Branco C. Does the timing of the menstrual cycle affect female sexual function?. Rev. Med. UCSG [Internet]. 2023 Sep. 11 [cited 2025 Mar. 12];24(3):21-30. Available from: https://rmedicina.ucsg.edu.ec/index.php/ucsg-medicina/article/view/1235

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