Women’s Reproductive Experiences (REP) and Hormones: Patterns of Affective, Sexual, and Physical Well-being

Abstract

Paradoxical menstrual cycle patterns in women’s well-being (e.g., premenstrual syndrome [PMS] and negative experiences in the periovulatory phase) and sexual behavior (e.g., the periovulatory sociosexual tactic shift [PSTS]) have been found. Patterns in affect and sexuality may have evolved to co-occur if being “in the mood” facilitates sex. In this dissertation, the development of the Women’s Reproductive Experiences (REP) Questionnaire and an initial psychometric evaluation is presented in Part 1 of Study 1 (n = 1943 women aged 16 to 74 years). The Women’s REP separately measures negative and positive experiences associated with reproductive events across the lifespan in three domains: affective, sexual, and physical. In Part 2 of Study 1, evidence for reliability in factor structure (e.g., seven main scales) and internal consistency as well as concurrent validity is provided. Women who differ in reproductive status (e.g., pregnant, postpartum, menopausal, menstrual cycle phase, and hormonal contraceptive use), including estimated conception probability and sex hormone levels, also differ on the Women’s REP scales. In Part 1 of Study 2 (n = 327 women of reproductive age), evidence for the test-retest reliability and further validity of the Women’s REP is presented. Relationships with another newer measure, the Proceptive and Receptive Mating Strategies Scale (PARMSS), were also examined (Part 1). In Part 2 of Study 2, the two measures were used to examine co-variation in negative affective experiences (NA,) positive affective experiences (PA), and proceptivity across the periovulatory and premenstrual phases in naturally cycling women (n = 41). Support was found for the hypothesis that there are two groups of women who show opposing patterns of change differentiated by the phase in which they experience higher NA, lower PA, and lower proceptivity: (1) the premenstrual phase (a premenstrual syndrome, 61%) and (2) the periovulatory phase (a periovulatory syndrome, 39%). In line with the PSTS, women