The menstrual cycle and components of human female sexual behaviour

Abstract

In non-human primates, gonadal hormones alter attractivity and proceptivity to produce maximal sexual interaction around ovulation. A review of the relevant literature for humans revealed little comparable data. Hormonal correlations with human sexual behaviour have been difficult to demonstrate, and the most prominent peak of conscious sexual desire appears to occur in the mid-follicular rather than the ovulatory phase. There is evidence, however, for a mid-cycle peak in female sexual initiation. We suggest that the notion of non-cyclicity in humans may result from a lack of research concentration on separate components of sexual receptivity and on socio-environmental factors that may interact with hormonal influences.