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Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 32, No. 12, 1659-1673 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167206292690
© 2006 Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

Fertility Cycle Patterns in Motives for Sexual Behavior

Melanie Skaggs Sheldon

M. Lynne Cooper

David C. Geary

Mary Hoard

University of Missouri

M. Catherine DeSoto

University of Northern Iowa

Three studies examined the relationship between fertility, as indexed by day in cycle or salivary estradiol levels, and reported motives for sexual intercourse. Data from university and community samples in both cross-sectional and repeated-measures designs showed that sex-for-intimacy motives are endorsed significantly less by women who are relatively more fertile or show higher salivary estrogen levels. Sex for enhancement, self-affirmation, and partner approval also declined, although the data were less consistent. The remaining motives (coping and power) showed no consistent patterns across fertility status. Results suggest that sexual motives are rooted partly in woman's biology and are discussed in terms of plausible evolutionary mechanisms that might promote female "choosiness" at midcycle.

Key Words: fertility cycle • sex motives • evolutionary • choosiness • salivary estradiol • menstrual cycle


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