Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on June 9, 2004
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh305
© 2004 by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
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1 Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: wilcox{at}niehs.nih.gov.
BACKGROUND: Intercourse in mammals is often coordinated with ovulation, for example through fluctuations in libido or by the acceleration of ovulation with intercourse. Such coordination has not been established in humans. We explored this possibility by examining patterns of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation. METHODS: Sixty-eight sexually active North Carolina women with either an intrauterine device or tubal ligation provided data for up to three menstrual cycles. These women collected daily urine specimens and kept daily diaries of intercourse and menstrual bleeding. Major estrogen and progesterone metabolites excreted in urine were used to identify the day of ovulation. The fertile days of the cycle were defined as the 6 consecutive days ending with ovulation. Women contributed a total of 171 ovulatory cycles. Menstrual bleeding days were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of intercourse rose during the follicular phase, peaking at ovulation and declining abruptly thereafter. The 6 consecutive days with most frequent intercourse corresponded with the 6 fertile days of the menstrual cycle. Intercourse was 24% more frequent during the 6 fertile days than during the remaining non-bleeding days (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There apparently are biological factors that promote intercourse during a woman’s 6 fertile days. Key words:
intercourse/ovulation
Revised April 14, 2004
Accepted April 16, 2004
Article
On the frequency of intercourse around ovulation: evidence for biological influences
2 Biostatistics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
3 Westat, Inc., Durham, NC, USA
4 Biomonitoring and Health Assessment Branch, Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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