Libido Ups and Downs During the Menstrual Cycle

By Sara Twogood, MD

Old news: our libido changes with our cycle.

There are lots of libido ups and downs during the menstrual cycle, but it’s highest around the time of ovulation.

From an evolutionary perspective this makes sense: higher libido = more sex = more likely to get pregnant = propagation of the species.

But do you know what causes this increase in libido?

By the end of this article you will.

The basis – as with so much of female health - lies in an understanding of the menstrual cycle.

The entire cycle is from one period all the way to the next period.

Within that cycle, think of 4 different parts:

• The period is when bleeding occurs. Cycle Day 1 is the first day of your period. The lining from the uterus, called the endometrium, comes out.

• The follicular phase is the time from the period to ovulation. What’s happening? The pituitary gland in the brain releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates the egg-containing follicles of the ovary. These follicles produce the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is a feel-good hormone – as it is rising and at its peak, you might feel a bit more confident or notice a more positive body image. And yes, this contributes to higher libido too.

• Ovulation. Luteinizing hormone (coming from the pituitary gland, just like FSH) surges, causing the egg from the dominant follicle to be released. That’s ovulation. The egg stays viable in the body for up to 24 hours.

• Luteal phase is time frame from ovulation to the next period. Progesterone is the dominant hormones in the luteal phase – it’s there to support a pregnancy if it were to occur (get it?: pro-pregnancy, or  pro – gestation = progesterone). It’s the progesterone that causes bloating and gassiness right before your period. Libido is not high anymore – you can imagine that bloating and gassiness are not helpful for sex drive! Estrogen is still there, but in relatively low amounts compared to before. Now is the end of the cycle and both estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically, starting the period and the next cycle.

Let’s dive a bit more into the follicular phase and time around ovulation to better understand that increase in libido.

Like we reviewed, estrogen is the dominant hormone in our bodies right before ovulation– it makes our skin plump, the vagina lubricated, even our confidence higher. It increases libido.

But … estrogen is not solely responsible for the increase in libido - there are a few other hormones that contribute to upping libido around the time of ovulation. Here they are:

SEROTONIN

Serotonin is the happy hormone. It makes people feel good.

Studies(1) show us that the specific type of estrogen secreted from the follicles of the ovary, estradiol, increases serotonin production in the brain and slows down its breakdown. So as our estradiol / estrogen increases, our serotonin does too. This helps boost libido.

OXYTOCIN

Oxytocin is sometimes call the “love hormone”. It promotes attachment to others and decreases stress and anxiety. Oxytocin been shown to enhance sexual stimulation and arousal as well(2). All of these are helpful for libido and sex!

Oxytocin is not only associated with the romantic kind of love – it includes platonic and maternal loves too (it’s increased during labor and breastfeeding).

Admittedly, it’s difficult to study oxytocin because it fluctuates for all sorts of reasons. Hugging and kissing and having sex all can cause a little surge of oxytocin. But studies show levels are all around highest around time of ovulation.

TESTOSTERONE

Testosterone increases libido, hands down. You probably knew this.

In females, testosterone levels remain fairly constant throughout the entire menstrual cycle … except a midcycle peak that happens at the same time as the LH surge! (3,4) Remember, the LH surge is what causes ovulation too. A little boost of testosterone helps boost that libido.

Quick recap!

The increase in libido right before ovulation in the menstrual cycle is due to many different hormonal fluctuations, including estrogen, serotonin, oxytocin, and testosterone.

Take advantage of this time to have sex and have fun … just remember, if you don’t want to get pregnant then use protection because this is your most fertile time of the month too!

SOURCES

1.     Lokuge S, Frey BN, Foster JA, Soares CN, Steiner M. Depression in women: windows of vulnerability and new insights into the link between estrogen and serotonin. J. Clin. Psychiatry 72(11), e1563–e1569 (2011).

2.     Menstrual cycle-related fluctuations in oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sinha Engela, Hannah Klusmanna, Beate Ditzenb, Christine Knaevelsruda, Sarah Schumachera  

3.     Abraham GE. Ovarian and adrenal contribution to peripheral androgens during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1974;39:340)

4.     Androgens in Postmenopausal Women: Production, Possible Role, and Replacement Options Rogerio A. Lobo, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York