Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
This week you are so passionate about sex, but last week sex was ‘crispy’ like an obligation between husband and wife. Why is that so?
There are lots of tips out there that talk about increasing sex drive or a thousand and one ways to make your sex life better. However, fluctuations in sex drive, especially in women, are also influenced by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.
When you understand the cycle, you know what to do to get around it. In general, there are four phases of the menstrual cycle, namely menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal.
The following phases of the menstrual cycle that affect sex life.
Menstruation
This is the phase when the production of estrogen and progesterone drops and the uterus sheds its lining. Some people think that menstruation means it’s time not to have sex But Aimee Eyvazzadeh, an obstetrician, says many people actually report an increase in their sex drive.
Although there are considerations that sex will be dirty and messy, in fact sex during menstruation offers benefits.
As reported Healthline, sex will reduce cramps, high sex drive, there is a natural lubricant, reduce headaches, can even shorten the menstrual period. This is because the muscle contractions caused by orgasm encourage faster menstrual blood loss.
Follicular phase
This phase includes the menstrual phase and a week or two after menstruation. Follicle stimulating hormone (follicle stimulating hormone) helps the ovarian follicles grow so you produce more estrogen.
“Your sexual desire may increase as you move away from your period and toward ovulation,” says sexologist Sarah Melancon Hello Giggles.
This phase, he continued, can feel more fun and lighter. In the follicular phase, it will be interesting to explore new things, for example, try new sex toys or try out positions that have never been tried before.
Ovulation
Ovulation occurs 12-24 hours for 2 weeks before the onset of menstruation. Here the ovary releases the egg cells, then the egg goes down to the fallopian tube to be fertilized by sperm.
“If we think about this evolutionarily, we can safely assume that the phase of the cycle with the highest sex drive is when we are most likely to get pregnant. And this assumption is correct! The peak of estrogen just before ovulation tends to trigger an increase in libido,” explains Eyvazzadeh.
This is not nonsense because there is scientific evidence. According to Psychology Today, researchers from Arizona State University asked 236 women to keep diaries to track masturbation. As a result, masturbation reaches its peak at ovulation.
Dutch researchers showed erotic videos of 20 women whose genitals were wired to detect blood flow. Increased blood flow is an indicator of physiological arousal. At the time of ovulation, genital blood flow increases the most. Participants also reported they felt most aroused at ovulation of the month.
Eyvazzadeh adds that the ovulation phase also produces more cervical fluid so you will be more lubricated. Sex in the ovulation phase will increase the chances of getting pregnant because the egg is ready and cervical fluid will help sperm enter.
luteal phase
This phase lasts about 2 weeks before menstruation. Here the level of progesterone is at its peak. Physiologically, you will feel PMS or pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating, fatigue and irritability.
“All of these symptoms can have a huge impact on our libido. When we are uncomfortable or stressed, the body naturally doesn’t want anything around sex,” says Eyvazzadeh.
As your body switches from ovulation to luteal, you may feel a decrease in your sex drive. Melancon suggests listening to the body’s needs. When your partner wants sex, it’s best to talk about it and it’s okay to say ‘Not today’.
To get to know the phases of the menstrual cycle, we recommend using a tracking tool that is now available in the form of an application. This is more of a general explanation because everyone has a different experience in each phase.
“If your body says ‘Yes’ to sex, go for it! But if you’d rather curl up with a book and a cup of hot chocolate, take the time you need,” Melancon explains.
(the / agn)
– .
