Previous studies have shown that a woman's body odor is strongest during menstruation and that men who are particularly sensitive to smells can even detect this change in her scent.
A recent study in the journal Ethology reveals that men can detect from a woman's voice whether she is menstruating. Psychologists Nathan Pipitone from Adams State College and Gordon Gallup from SUNY Albany recorded 10 women counting from one to five, at four different points in their menstrual cycles.
New European research has found that although women's menstrual cycles don't affect which men they are attracted to, as previously thought, women do appear to find all men slightly more attractive when in the fertile stage of their cycle.
When asked why they do not directly name menstruation, men answer they find it softer or more child-like. This implies explicit words for the “red period” have a negative connotation. Such words are associated with negative feelings like pain, anger, or disgust.
It could be your hormones! The ups and downs of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone in your menstrual cycle have a powerful effect on how you feel about your mate. And these feelings vary based on which week of your cycle you're on.
Several symptoms can inform someone if they are about to have a period and can include spotting, pain or cramping, bloating, swollen or tender breasts, acne, and mood changes. PMS usually appears the week before and goes away a few days after a period begins.
Period cramps can feel like an ache – they can be sharp and stabbing or a consistent, dull pain. You'll feel them lower in the abdomen than your stomach and the pain can reach your upper legs and lower back. You're stomach may be upset, but period cramps will be lower in your abdomen than a stomach ache.
Multiple studies have concluded that men find women more attractive during ovulation. This is the one time a month that the ovaries release an egg ready for fertilization. So it's the time when women are most fertile, and men seem to be biologically programmed to pick up on that.
"When estrogen peaks during the days right after a woman's period, and leading up to ovulation, the cells in the skin are stimulated to make more of these elements, resulting in a clear, glowing complexion. During this week, estrogen not only stimulates a glow but also keeps testosterone in check by shrinking pores.
This can also help relieve cramps
The effect of dilated blood vessels and increased blood flow can help relieve cramps — a boost in feel-good chemicals and relief from period cramps? Getting your smooch on when you're in the throes of a bad period might just be worth it.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
PMS encompasses a range of emotional and physical symptoms experienced by women in the days leading up to the onset of menstruation. Feelings of irritability, food cravings, and mood swings are common mood-related symptoms.
Throbbing or cramping pain in your lower abdomen that can be intense. Pain that starts 1 to 3 days before your period, peaks 24 hours after the onset of your period and subsides in 2 to 3 days. Dull, continuous ache. Pain that radiates to your lower back and thighs.
Your first menstrual period is called menarche. It usually happens around age 12. But it may start earlier or later. Your period is a part of your menstrual cycle.
A significantly greater number of cycles (70.4%) commenced during the night or in the first 4 h after rising, compared with later in the day. In a large proportion of these (29 out of 76), blood was noted to be present on waking, menstruation thus having begun at some time during the hours of sleep.
She may notice a white or yellow stain on her underwear or start commenting about feeling wet around her vulval area. Some girls worry when this first happens. They think that they may have wet themselves, or that there is something wrong with them.
Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle may lead to breast swelling. More estrogen is made early in the cycle and it peaks just before mid-cycle. This causes the breast ducts to grow in size. The progesterone level peaks near the 21st day (in a 28-day cycle).
To the issue of your menstrual period's influence on your boyfriend, research has shown that menstruation does not affect male testosterone levels in any significant way. Though these biological factors may not give reason for your partner's emotions, it's possible that there's a more psychological explanation at play.
Men may not only be seen as a co-cause to PMS symptoms, they also seem to be extensively affected by PMS symptoms.
Many women experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms before they menstruate. This premenstrual stress, also commonly known as PMS, is often manifested by tension or anger in their relationships. Some women may feel so angry at their partner that they want to leave them.
Give her some extra hugs and kisses while she is in pain. Ask her what she needs and help her out. If you are hanging out around her house during her period, then help her out around the house. She might find it difficult to do certain activities, so help her out, and she will be appreciative of you!
Be considerate and respect her feelings. Have her sit down and give her a massage or give her a warm hug. Even a comforting arm rub might make her feel better and will at least show you care. Be there for her: Hold her when she wants to lean on you.