Psychological concomitants of the menstrual cycle: A prospective longitudinal approach

Over on average four menstrual cycles (159 days), 14 women scored various aspects of their sexual behaviour and psychological and physical well-being each day. Analysis of menstruation-related changes showed no differences between the subjective assessments in various cycle phases, with the exception of physical complaints. Single-case analyses of the scores suggest predominant periodicities of four to eight days for almost all of the variables and subjects. Cross-correlations between certain individual values indicate close relations between some aspects of well-being, sexual activity, and external influences. Furthermore, discrepancies were found between retrospective and prospective reports of subjective cyclical changes.