How Hormonal Changes Throughout Menstrual Cycle Affect Sex Drive

Periods are a natural phenomena where menstruators bleed almost every month. But it does affect the entire body. From cramps to hormonal changes, there are a lot of things that a body experiences during the entire menstrual cycle.

Of all the major effects, one’s sex drive is impacted as well. Sleep, hormonal changes, and stress drive one's sexual desires.

According to Psychologist Professor James Roney from the University of California, oestrogen and progesterone are the two crucial hormones that are responsible for sex drive among women.

Lower Sex Drive

Sex drive is inversely proportional to progesterone. If the hormone level is high, you are less likely to be excited about intercourse or self-pleasure. Usually, after ovulation, the levels of progesterone rise in the body. Hence, it lowers the sex drive.

Higher Sex Drive

Interestingly, in the days leading up to ovulation, women experience the highest sexual desire phase. It is also called the Follicular phase. Roney says that since the body is most fertile during this time, evolution has made sex or rather pleasure more desirable during this time.

At this point, the levels of oestrogen in the body are at their peak. It is the sex-driving hormone. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, the levels can rise by as much as 800% during this phase. If you are feeling horny a week or 10 days after your periods have ended, it is probably the fault of hormones.

Sex In The Period Phase

There are no conclusive studies that can definitely draw a graph on sex drive and periods. However, Roney said that some women might experience high sex drive, while others might just not.

Many menstruators experience the need for pleasure to find relief from cramps as orgasm releases endorphins. During this phase, progesterone levels drop, and oestrogen levels start rising again. For many women, period sex might be big no because of pain, fatigue, cramps, and inhibitions about messiness.

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Sex Drive In The Pre-Menstrual Phase

Among many women, the premenstrual phase can be a turn-off. The symptoms often feel like actual periods with fatigue, cramps, and mood swings. It could be a turn-off for many, while others would want to experience the pleasure.

Some women might feel sexually charged in the post-menstrual phase. When the bleeding eventually stops, and the person knows that the chances of pregnancy are low, it can increase the drive.

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But scientists have time and again made it clear that it is a little complicated to study sex drive because many factors affect it. Also, it might not be the same every time for everyone. Social factors can also affect one’s sex drive. In many cases, it has been found that a woman might experience high sex drive in a new relationship, irrespective of where she stands in her monthly cycle.

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