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Kiesner J, Bittoni C, Eisenlohr-Moul T, Komisaruk B, Pastore M. Menstrual cycle-driven vs noncyclical daily changes in sexual desire. J Sex Med 2023; 20:756-765. [PMID: 37037659 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Past research on the association between sexual desire and the menstrual cycle has provided inconclusive results and has not considered the potential influence of psychological and physical changes that are frequently associated with the menstrual cycle. AIM To test the strength of association between the menstrual cycle (and associated symptoms) and changes in sexual desire. METHODS Prospective daily reports across 2 full menstrual cycles (2 months) from a sample of female university students (n = 213), were analysed. Analyses tested for average effects of the menstrual cycle on sexual desire, individual differences in these effects, and cyclical and noncyclical associations between sexual desire and the 9 menstrual cycle-related changes. Note that data presented in the current article come from a larger study from which other reports have been published. OUTCOMES Target variables were (1) daily change in sexual desire and (2) daily reports of 5 psychological changes and 4 physical changes that are commonly associated with the menstrual cycle. RESULTS Results showed that when considering average effects across participants, the menstrual cycle was associated with a small midcycle increase in sexual desire. However, multilevel analyses showed large individual differences in how the menstrual cycle influences sexual desire. Specifically, some participants showed a midcycle increase, others a perimenstrual increase, and others no change across the menstrual cycle. Moreover, results demonstrated that psychological changes were more important for predicting sexual desire as compared with physical changes. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that daily measurement of sexual desire across multiple menstrual cycles may be an important tool in the assessment of sexual desire among some females. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS Strengths of this study are the daily assessment of sexual desire and all symptoms for 2 menstrual cycles and multilevel analyses that allow the study of individual differences. Limitations include limited measurement of sexual desire based on only 2 questions and the lack of measures of relationship status and sexual orientation. CONCLUSION Emphasis is placed on the need to apply more rigorous research methods and to abandon simplistic average-effects models that are based on outdated theories and stereotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Kiesner
- Department of Psychology, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Celeste Bittoni
- Department of Psychology, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Tory Eisenlohr-Moul
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
| | - Barry Komisaruk
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, United States
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Bittoni C, Kiesner J. Sexual Desire in Women: Paradoxical and Nonlinear Associations with Anxiety and Depressed Mood. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3807-3822. [PMID: 36123564 PMCID: PMC9663363 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02400-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to expand previous findings regarding paradoxical effects of negative mood on sexual desire. This was done by considering the full range of depressed mood and anxiety symptoms and using methods that are unaffected by recall bias and that don't require participants to infer causal associations between their mood and sexual desire. A convenience sample of 213 university students completed daily questionnaires for approximately two months. Multilevel random-effects models were used to estimate average effects for the entire sample and to test for variability across participants in the associations between negative mood and sexual desire, controlling also for potential influences of the menstrual cycle. Previous findings showing that some women report decreased sexual desire and others increased sexual desire when depressed or anxious were confirmed. More importantly, for both depressed mood and anxiety, results demonstrated the presence of within-person paradoxical associations, whereby there were some women for whom both low and high levels of negative mood were associated with the same change (an increase or a decrease) in sexual desire. Related to these diverse response patterns, paradoxical associations between negative mood and sexual desire were also present at low levels of negative mood. The discussion underlines the importance of considering individual variability and multifactorial nonlinear models when studying sexual desire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Bittoni
- Department of Development and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Jeff Kiesner
- Department of Development and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy.
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Kiesner J, Eisenlohr-Moul TA, Vidotto G. Affective Risk Associated With Menstrual Cycle Symptom Change. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:896924. [PMID: 35936817 PMCID: PMC9353132 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.896924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study we test whether cyclical changes in affective symptoms of the menstrual cycle are associated with higher mean levels of those same symptoms. Using prospective daily reports across two full menstrual cycles, from two samples of female University students (n = 213; n = 163), we applied both quartic polynomial regressions and cosine regressions to model cyclical change in symptoms, and to test for mean-level differences in symptoms across the resulting trajectory patterns. Counter to prior findings, but consistent with theoretical expectations, these results show that females who experience menstrual cycle-related changes in affect (whether a perimenstrual or mid-cycle increase) are at risk for higher average levels of affective symptoms. These results suggest that the mid-cycle group should be recognized as a target for future research that is associated with increased risk for chronic negative affective symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Kiesner
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- *Correspondence: Jeff Kiesner
| | | | - Giulio Vidotto
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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Dzator JSA, Howe PRC, Griffiths LR, Coupland KG, Wong RHX. Cerebrovascular Function in Hormonal Migraine: An Exploratory Study. Front Neurol 2021; 12:694980. [PMID: 34305799 PMCID: PMC8292610 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.694980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Migraineurs, particularly young premenopausal women, are at increased risk of cerebrovascular disease; however, there is currently limited evidence as to whether hormonal migraine is associated with poor cerebrovascular function. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: (1) investigate the potential association of cerebrovascular function with hormonal migraine and (2) determine whether abnormalities of cerebrovascular function in hormonal migraineurs are associated with migraine-related disability and/or quality of life. Method: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 50 hormonal migraineurs (mean age: 38.7 ± 1.2 years) and 29 controls (mean age: 35.6 ± 1.8 years). Data were collected at a single point in time from all participants during the inter-ictal period when they were free from migraine and not menstruating. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to measure resting blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular responsiveness (CVR) to hypercapnia and cognitive stimulation (neurovascular coupling) in the left and right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Additionally, hormonal migraineurs completed three questionnaires to assess migraine-related disability and quality of life as well as migraine frequency and intensity: Headache Impact Test-6™, Migraine-Specific Quality of Life and Migraine Disability Assessment. Results: Hormonal migraineurs had lower resting mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) (P = 0.009) and neurovascular coupling during cognitive stimulation (P = 0.010) in the left MCA than controls. No such differences were found in the right MCA. Additionally, heart rate (P = 0.004) was higher in hormonal migraineurs than controls. However, no differences in CVR to hypercapnia were found between hormonal migraineurs and controls. Multi-variate analysis revealed age to be a significant (P = 0.012) predictor of MBFV in the left MCA. Negative correlations between headache frequency and CVR to hypercapnia in the left (P = 0.026) and right MCA (P = 0.044) were found. Additionally, negative correlations between neurovascular coupling during the 2-Back 1.5 s task in the right MCA and the MSQoL emotional (P = 0.013) and role-function restrictive (P = 0.039) domains were found. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that hormonal migraineurs have poorer cerebrovascular function, as represented by lower resting MBFV and impaired neurovascular coupling in the left MCA. Future studies should investigate whether improving cerebrovascular function can prevent hormonal migraine and improve quality of life. Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12618001230246.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemima S A Dzator
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter R C Howe
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lyn R Griffiths
- Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kirsten G Coupland
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachel H X Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Raceview, QLD, Australia
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Kiesner J, Eisenlohr-Moul T, Mendle J. Evolution, the Menstrual Cycle, and Theoretical Overreach. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2020; 15:1113-1130. [PMID: 32539582 DOI: 10.1177/1745691620906440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A considerable amount of recent psychological research has attributed a variety of menstrual-cycle-related changes in social behavior to evolutionarily adaptive functions. Although these studies often draw interesting and unusual conclusions about female emotion and behavior within evolutionary theory, their significant limitations have not yet been addressed. In this article, we outline several methodological and conceptual issues related to the menstrual cycle that constitute threats to the internal validity and theoretical integrity of these studies. We recommend specific guidelines to address these issues and emphasize the need to apply more comprehensive and sophisticated theoretical structures when considering menstrual-cycle-related changes in emotion and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Kiesner
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, University of Padua
| | | | - Jane Mendle
- Department of Human Development, Cornell University
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Bianchin L, Bozzola M, Battistella Pier A, Bernasconi S, Bona G, Buzi F, De Sanctis C, De Sanctis V, Tonini G, Radetti G, Rigon F, Perissinotto E. Menstrual Cycle and Headache in Teenagers. Indian J Pediatr 2019; 86:25-33. [PMID: 30637681 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-018-2829-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This population-based study on school-aged girls aimed to estimate the rate of peri-menstrual headache, evaluate headache pain pattern during the menstrual cycle, and verify its relationships with physical, psychosocial and life-style factors. METHODS The students (n = 4973) fulfilled a self-administered questionnaire on demographic and behavioral characteristics, menarche, menstrual pattern and features including headache and dysmenorrhea. The prevalence of headache and the mean pain intensity score at the three menstrual cycle phases (premenstrual, menstrual, in-between period) were estimated, both overall and by gynecological year. Furthermore, the prevalence of three different patterns of headache (peri menstrual/mid-cycle/acyclic) was evaluated, together with the mean pain intensity score. RESULTS The overall prevalence of headache at least once at any time during the menstrual cycle was 64.4%. At multivariable logistic analysis, gynecological age (OR 1.07; 95%CI 1.03-1.12), middle social level (1.24; 1.01-1.55, compared to high social level), physical activity (0.67; 0.51-0.89), oral contraceptive use (1.34; 1.04-1.73) and dysmenorrhea (2.30; 1.54-3.42) were significantly associated with headache. Among girls with headache, 83.4% had peri-menstrual headache (44.6% premenstrual, 38.8% menstrual), 3.5% mid-cycle headache and 13.2% acyclic headache. The gynaecological age and dysmenorrhea were significantly associated with the headache pattern (p = 0.03 and p < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that peri-menstrual headache is highly prevalent among adolescents. In girls, the headache rate linearly raises with higher gynecological age; menses-related painful syndromes, such as headache and dysmenorrhea, are strongly interrelated. The anamnesis and monitoring of menstrual health should be mandatory when taking care of girls with headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Bianchin
- Child Psychiatric Unit, Local Health and Social Care Services - ULSS 6 Euganea, Padua, Italy
| | - Mauro Bozzola
- Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Section of Childhood and Adolescence, Foundation IRCCS San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Gianni Bona
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Mother and Child Health, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabio Buzi
- Department of Pediatrics, "Carlo Poma" Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Carlo De Sanctis
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita, Turin, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Sanctis
- Private Accredited Hospital Quisisana, Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatients Clinic, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Radetti
- Department of Pediatrics, Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Franco Rigon
- Department of Woman's and Child Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Egle Perissinotto
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Science and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Van Reen E, Kiesner J. Individual differences in self-reported difficulty sleeping across the menstrual cycle. Arch Womens Ment Health 2016; 19:599-608. [PMID: 26973332 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-016-0621-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The effect of menstrual cycle phase on sleep has been studied for decades; however, individual differences in the associations between sleep and menstrual phase have not been well studied. In addition, the associations between changes in sleep and other physiological and psychological factors that vary as a function of menstrual phase have not been thoroughly assessed. This study explored individual differences in daily self-reports of difficulty sleeping across the menstrual cycle, as well as associations between daily changes in difficulty sleeping and psychological/vegetative and somatic symptoms. Participants (n = 213 females, mean age = 21.29 ± 4.01 years) completed daily online questionnaires assessing` sleep, psychological and physical symptoms for two menstrual cycles. Two patterns of menstrual cycle-related self-reported difficulty sleeping emerged in addition to women who showed no cyclical change in self-reported difficulty sleeping: a perimenstrual increase and a mid-cycle increase. All psychological/vegetative symptoms and some of the somatic symptoms showed significant associations with self-reported difficulty sleeping. These findings highlight the importance of examining individual differences in sleep across the menstrual cycle and the significant contribution of a wide range of menstrual cycle-related psychological/vegetative and somatic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Van Reen
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, E.P. Bradley Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 300 Duncan Drive, Providence, RI, 02906, USA.
| | - Jeff Kiesner
- Dipartimento di Psicologia (DPSS), Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
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van Iersel KC, Kiesner J, Pastore M, Scholte RHJ. The impact of menstrual cycle-related physical symptoms on daily activities and psychological wellness among adolescent girls. J Adolesc 2016; 49:81-90. [PMID: 27017504 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Associations between perimenstrual physical and psychological symptoms have not been adequately studied among adolescent girls. The purpose of the present study was to test a mediation hypothesis postulating that perimenstrual disengagement from daily activities would mediate the association between physical symptoms and psychological symptoms. A non-clinical sample of N = 208 Italian adolescent girls (age M = 16.68 years) completed a 95-item online retrospective questionnaire regarding perimenstrual symptoms, and how these symptoms affect their daily activities. Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the mediation hypothesis. Results showed that physical and psychological symptoms were strongly associated. More importantly, results supported the hypothesis that perimenstrual disengagement from daily activities mediates the association between physical symptoms and psychological symptoms, but only for depressed mood and cognitive symptoms. This study provides support for a novel theoretical framework linking diverse aspects of menstrual cycle change. Longitudinal research is needed to replicate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten C van Iersel
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Postbus 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeff Kiesner
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Università Degli Studi di Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Pastore
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Università Degli Studi di Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ron H J Scholte
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Postbus 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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