How Your Hormones Impact Libido Throughout Your Cycle

I've noticed that when people talk about libido and a woman's hormone cycle, it's often simplified to "ovulation equals feeling frisky, and the rest of the time, who knows?" But here's the thing—ovulation is just a blink-and-you-miss-it moment in the whole cycle.

No matter where you are in life, it's worth digging a bit deeper into the many ways your sex drive changes over time and how to anticipate these natural shifts.

Even in my 20s without any baby plans in the near future, knowing when my desire tends to spike or take a nose-dive throughout the month has been surprisingly helpful. It adds a new layer of understanding to my experiences—something I want others to feel too. And for those trying to get pregnant, this insight is gold.

It's no secret that your libido tends to hit its peak during ovulation, but let's not forget about the other 27 to 34 days of the cycle—they play a role too. (And yes, that's how much a healthy cycle varies, so don't stress if you're full cycle isn't 28 days on the dot—up to 35 is still considered healthy.)

Board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York Anate Brauer, M.D., tells us that hormones, like estrogen, progesterone, dopamine, oxytocin, and more affect sex drive in different ways. Some hit you directly, while others sneakily influence your emotional well-being and energy levels, causing a ripple effect on your libido. Some research suggests that testosterone also plays a role in sex drive for women1, but the general consensus is still murky.

There is minimal research on this topic but one interesting study from 2013 found that women in the follicular phase deemed romantic kissing more important2 in the early stages of a relationship than women in the luteal phase, suggesting that our perspectives on intimacy can change with the phases. 

At the onset of your period, your energy-giving hormones are at a low, as previously noted by functional medicine gynecologist Wendie Trubow, M.D., in our last installment of The Cycle Series, which focused on strength.

If your energy levels are on the lower side, it's reasonable to assume you might be less inclined to engage in sexual activities. However, some women also report a surge in libido during their period. This may be due to non-hormone-related factors. For example, the lower risk of unwanted pregnancy and increased lubrication might make sex during menstruation more appealing.

You can think of the follicular phase as the golden age of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, estrogen levels take the lead over progesterone, turning up the dial on libido.

Not only does the follicular phase bring a surge in sex drive, but it could also lead to other perks in the bedroom. Energy levels rise, vaginal wetness increases, sleep quality improves, and mood tends to be more upbeat compared to the luteal phase. Altogether, the follicular phase sets you up for increased libido, which conveniently coincides with ovulation should you want to get pregnant (cheers to the human body, right?).

You may also be more of a go-getter during ovulation. In fact, one 2015 review study found that women were more likely to initiate sex just before ovulation1, when estrogen is the most abundant.

The luteal phase is characterized by increased progesterone (think of it as a "-" button to that positive estrogen), so it's usually when libido is lower.

You may also feel lower energy, face sleep troubles, and have a sense of increased irritability. During the second half of your luteal phase (T-minus one week till period), you may experience bloating, menstrual cramps, and/or acne too.

Safe to say, with all of these PMS symptoms on board and progesterone reigning at the top, your sex drive will be much more volatile during this phase. 

Women on combination birth control receive a steady dose of hormones throughout the month. Because of this, they may not feel the strong fluctuations of progesterone and estrogen impacting their libidos. 

However, those on tri-phasic pills that vary in hormone levels to mimic a natural cycle may resonate more with the traditional fluctuations covered above. 

Embracing the ebb and flow of your libido is a must for healthy mental and sexual health. Still, it's fair to want to kick it up a notch every once in a while, or at least make sure you're doing everything you can to keep your sex drive as high as it can be naturally. 

"Persistent low libido despite overall well-being may indicate a hormonal imbalance. It could be a symptom of conditions like thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or hypothalamic conditions leading to persistently flat estrogen levels," says Brauer.

A woman's sex drive is personal and influenced by many factors. But from a hormonal standpoint, libido tends to be high during the follicular phase post-period, peak around ovulation, and take a dip during the luteal phase.

While there's nothing wrong with having lower libido, you should keep an eye out for any irregular, persistent dips as it could be a sign of hormonal imbalance.