Menstrual synchrony

Morofushi M., Shinohara K.F.T. and Kimura F. (2000). Positive relationship between menstrual synchrony and ability to smell 5alpha-androst-16-en-3alpha-ol. Chem Senses 25, 407-411. 

Weller L. and Weller A. (1993). Human menstrual synchrony a critical assessment. Neurosci BioBehav Rev 17, 427-439. 

Abstract Sexual orientation influences human olfactory function. Following a brief review of the biological basis of homosexuality, this chapter explores exactly how olfactory function varies as a result of sexual orientation. Three separate areas of research are considered recent studies on the neural processing of social odorants by heterosexuals and homosexuals the influence of sexual orientation on the production and perception of body odours and the influence of female sexual orientation on menstrual synchrony. 

Graham, C.A. and McGrew, W.C. (1980) Menstrual synchrony in female undergraduates living on a co-educational campus. Psychoneuroendocrinol. 5, 245-252. 

Weller, A. and Weller, L. (1992) Menstrual synchrony in female couples. Psychoneuroendocrinol. 17, 171-177. 

Weller, L. and Weller, A. (1997) Menstrual variability and the measurement of menstrual synchrony. Psychoneuroendocrinol. 22, 115-128. 

Wilson, H.C., Hildebrandt Kiefhaber, S. and Gravel, V. (1991) Two studies of menstrual synchrony negative results. Psychoneuroendocrinol. 17, 565-569. 

The observed synchronization of the menstrual cycles of women living together in an all-female institution is ascribed to the effect of a primer pheromone and led to several earlier studies (e.g. [149,150]). Later results supported the pheromonal explanation of synchrony [151]. In an evaluation of the research on menstrual synchrony between mothers and daughters against the background of the results of other investigations, Weller and Weller [152] concluded that there are indications that menstrual synchrony could be affected by both pheromonal and environmental influences, and the interaction between them. 

Despite the difficulties, there is substantial additional reason to believe in human pheromones, although their role in shaping our lives is far from clear. The evidence just summarized from the 1971 McClintock study of menstrual synchrony in women provides an example of a primer pheromone at work in humans. Others have replicated McClintock s pioneering study. A 1980 study suggesting that underarm secretions might mediate menstrual synchrony,has been followed up by a more detailed study, also by McClintock, together with her coworker Kathleen Stem. " Here it is. 

In a second study at a coeducational college, women who lived without roommates in bedrooms of residence halls or apartments developed menstrual synchrony with close friends (Graham and McGrew, 1980). These authors did not find a correlation between cycle length and amount and type of interaction with men. 

A third study of 85 20-year-old women found an effect on menstrual synchrony of living together with one, two, or three other women, and of physical activity (Quadagno etal., 1981). 

Pheromones play roles such as the time-tested topics menstrual synchrony and mother-infant olfactory communication, as well as the more controversial topics of the role of pheromones in human mate choice and the existence or non-existence of a vomeronasal organ in humans and Old World primates, Especially fascinating is a table published by Wyatt [8] detailing odours associated with various human illnesses (i.e. patients with gout or schizophrenia have differing, distinct odours to their sweat), and another table listing various commercial products, both past and present, that contain pheromones. 

Following the pioneering work on menstrual synchrony by Stern and McClintock [270, 271], it has been odourless axillary compounds fi om the armpits of women in the late follicular phase of their menstrual cycles accelerated the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone of recipient women and shortened their menstrual cycles. Axillary compounds from the same donors which were collected later in the menstrual cycle (at ovulation) had the opposite effect they delayed the luteinizing hormone surge of the recipients and lengthened their menstrual cycle [271]. The... 

McClinlock, M., 1971, Menstrual synchrony and suppression, Anrtrre (Lond.) 229 244-245. 

Weller, L., Weller, A., and Avinir, O., 1995, Menstrual synchrony only in roommates who are close friends ... 

Russell, Switz Thompson (1980) were the first to present evidence that menstrual synchrony could be mediated by axillary secretions. In depth, double-blind studies conducted in our laboratory, employing axillary extracts from both males and females, also suggested that extracts from the axillary secretions of a donor group of females during the menstrual cycle could be used to bring a recipient group of females into synchrony with the donor (Preti, et al., 1986). 

Weller, L. Weller, A. 1993a. Human menstrual synchrony A critical assessment. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev., 17, 427- 39. 

Weller, L. Weller, A. 1993b. Multiple influences on menstrual synchrony Kibbutz roommates, their best friends, and their mothers. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 5, 173—179. 

Weller, A. Weller, L. 1993c. Menstrual synchrony between mothers and daughters and between roommates. Physiol. Behav., 53, 943—949. 

Wilson, H.C. 1992. A critical review of menstrual synchrony. PsychoneuroendocrinoL, 17, 565-591. 

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