When Is My Monthly Sexual Peak?

Many factors can influence our sexual cycles. On the down side, lack of sleep, emotional stresses, age, a recent fight, and whether we feel desired may all contribute to the fall of desire. On the up side, a healthy lifestyle, getting enough sleep, love of work, gratitude, healthy relationships and more can contribute to the rise of desire. And, yes, hormone regulation plays an important role in the turn-on cycle, too. Some women report they feel more turned on and sexually excited at ovulation and before and even during the time they're menstruating. Testosterone, the sex hormone, plays a vital role in increasing libido and about one-half of the available testosterone that's produced by a woman comes from her ovaries. This hormone is produced in larger quantities around the time of ovulation and continues on toward menstruation. At the same time of the month, estrogen production begins to decrease. Hence, an increase in the active nature of testosterone is produced.

As a woman ages and her reproductive system ceases to produce eggs, her testosterone levels -- and all hormone levels -- go down. Libido often decreases, though it may rise some during the time periods described above. Peri-menopausal and menopausal women may begin to notice this decrease and choose to use topical creams or replacement therapy to increase overall libido. So-called pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), which occurs during this same period of the month between ovulation and menstruation, affects about 25 percent of all women. Side effects include anxiety, anger, bloating, cramps, irritability and depression. A corresponding influence is the build-up of fluids in the body that occurs as the woman's body moves toward menstruation. Some sexuality professionals believe that the build-up of these symptoms, both physical and emotional, occurs because of a "tumescence," or fullness, in the body and the psyche of the woman. It would be a natural action of the body to desire sexual attention if that tumescence is to be disbursed and the hormone build-up brought back to a more normal state.

Many Tantra practitioners believe that sex during this time is particularly potent and important to the relaxation and release of body tensions in women. They advocate that special attention be given to the woman -- both physically and emotionally -- at this time of the month. G-spot or yoni (Sanskrit for vagina) massage is recommended. Remember that the G-spot is the same tissue that makes up the prostate gland in men. Whereas men regularly empty that gland through ejaculation, women don't have that opportunity. Very few women have taught themselves to ejaculate (release fluid), let alone to have consistent orgasms to dispel tension.

In cultures that completely embrace sexuality, it's rare to have a woman who doesn't have regular orgasms. In contemporary cultures that have very strong taboos against sexual pleasure, the orgasm is mostly unknown to all women. Cultural acceptance, and even encouragement, means more orgasms for women! We live in great times!

Labout Kama Sutra, Tantra and other sexual disciplines from Suzie Huemann at Tantra.com.