The ovarian cycles of females living and interacting together may synchronise due to pheromones released from axillary secretary glands, the highest concentration of which is produced in the mid-follicular phase, prior to ovulation. The objective of this study was to find evidence for menstrual synchrony in a group of female students living together and to obtain a correlation between the ability to smell the putative pheromone, 5alpha-androst-16-en-3alpha-ol (3alpha-androstenol), found in apocrine secretions and menstrual synchrony. This cross-sectional study involved 88 students who completed a standard questionnaire and whose sense of smell was measured using ten varying thresholds. The menstrual history, friendship scale and menstrual hygiene score was determined for the participants.
Hysterectomy and tubal sterilisation are two commonly performed gynaecological procedures in Malaysia. Little has been published about the psychological impact on sexuality of such operations in the Far East. Many Malaysian patients believe that surgery to the pelvic organs may be detrimental to the sexual health and needs of women. There is a widespread belief that the uterus is essential for the libido and sexual wellbeing of women. It is also believed that tubal sterilisation may result in the loss of libido and thus of sexual desire for her husband. Despite counselling to dispel these misconceptions, patients frequently refuse surgical management for fear of losing their libido and sexuality. Inability to satisfy and consummate marriage is a valid reason for the partner to find another wife (Muslims in Malaysia are legally allowed to have four wives). This fear of ultimately losing the husband to another woman due to lack of libido and loss of sexuality often causes women to refuse appropriate surgery. The recent availability of the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (IUS) in Malaysia provides a suitable medical alternative to surgery in managing some of these patients. There is good evidence to suggest the effectiveness of the levonorgestrel IUS in the treatment of menorrhagia. The use of the levonorgestrel IUS in women whose cultural beliefs/misconceptions are not amenable to counselling, may help in the psychological preservation of their libido and sexuality.