Longitudinal associations between women's cycle characteristics and sexual motivation using Flo cycle tracking data

Area of Science:

• Human Physiology
• Reproductive Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Previous research suggests a connection between menstrual cycle characteristics and sexual motivation, particularly concerning conception risk.
• Understanding these cyclical patterns is crucial for comprehending female reproductive behavior and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between menstrual cycle characteristics and sexual motivation using a large dataset from a menstrual cycle tracking app.
• To explore both between-women and within-women variations in this relationship over a 10-month period.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 16,327 users of a menstrual cycle tracking application.
• Statistical examination of correlations between cycle length, regularity, and self-reported sexual motivation.
• Longitudinal analysis to assess temporal relationships and month-to-month effects.

Main Results:

• Shorter and more regular menstrual cycles were associated with small increases in sexual motivation between women.
• Within women, shorter cycles predicted greater sexual motivation in the same month and the following month.
• Changes in sexual motivation did not reliably precede changes in cycle length.
• Shorter cycles were also linked to increased fatigue, insomnia, and food cravings within women.

Conclusions:

• Menstrual cycle characteristics and sexual motivation appear to covary, potentially reflecting shifts in reproductive investment.
• The findings suggest a cyclical influence on female sexual desire and related physiological experiences.
• Cautions regarding interpretation are advised due to small effect sizes and the observational nature of the study.