Human menstrual synchrony: a critical assessment/

Abstract

This review on menstrual synchrony in human females has four purposes: (a) to determine whether or not the phenomenon exists, and whether it differs in the various groups studied: roommates in dormitories, roommates in private residences, close friends, work groups, mothers-daughters; (b) to assess the magnitude of its effect, i.e., to what extent does the single factor of living together affect menstrual synchrony?; (c) to examine the effects of menstrual-related factors, social interaction factors, and personality on menstrual synchrony; (d) to assess whether the findings support a pheromonal or common environmental explanation of menstrual synchrony. Several methodological issues are also discussed.