PSYCHOENDOCRINOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HORMONES, SEXUALITY, AND MOOD

The role of sex hormones in sexuality and mood across the menstrual cy cle was investigated. Twenty-one normal healthy women were followed fo r one menstrual cycle. Blood samples were taken frequently, and analyz ed for estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydro epiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, and sex hormone-binding globulin. A diary concerning sexual interest and behavior, and different moods, w as completed daily. Although the sample was not large, a clear effect of menstrual cycle phase on levels of testosterone and the free testos terone index was demonstrated. In a preliminary screening interview, 1 1 of the 21 women had reported that they suffered from premenstrual co mplaints (PC), the other 10 had reported no complaints in the premenst rual phase (NPC). Significant differences between the two groups were established in estradiol and the estradiol-progesterone ratio, with th e NPC group having higher levels of both endocrine parameters across d ifferent menstrual samples. Psychologically, a cycle effect on tension and sexual interest was demonstrated. The NPC group reported a peak i n sexual interest in the premenstrual phase, whereas the PC group repo rted a peak in the ovulatory phase. There was a difference between the two groups in feelings of fatigue but not in other moods across the m enstrual cycle. The study provides further evidence of the importance of androgen levels in women's sexuality and shows again that the relat ionship between menstrual cycle phase and sexuality is much clearer th an between phase and mood.