Menstrual Synchrony under Optimal Conditions: Bedouin Families

Aron Weller, Leonard Weller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ovarian cycles of females living and interacting together have been shown to synchronize in a number of species. In humans, the related phenomenon of menstrual synchrony has been reported among roommates and best friends. Menstrual data were collected prospectively for 3 months from 27 Bedouin nuclear families living under conditions optimally conducive for synchrony: (a) women living together for many years, (b) a highly sexually segregated society, (c) standard living conditions, and (d) minimal use of oral contraceptives. Results show unequivocally the existence of menstrual synchrony: A 20%-25% shift toward synchrony was found for sisters-roommates, sisters-roommates who are close friends, and the family (all women in the family between 13 and 50 years of age).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)143-151
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of comparative psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983)
Volume111
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1997

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