Isn’t it strange when you and your best friend are in your period at the same time? It’s weird, but is it cool even in the weird way? It’s as if you formed some kind of special bond with each other.
Or what about when your entire team is in their time? Crazy! You need some logic behind this, right? Is it a period sync? Is that a coincidence? who knows!
Well, actually: experts and researchers know! And now you will!
Period sync is the idea that if women live close to each other or spend a lot of time together, the timing of each month’s period begins to “sync” or align.
The first evidence suggesting that period synchronization could be “real” was a paper in 1971 called the “McClintock Study.” This study was named after Martha McClintocka researcher at Harvard University.
McClintock Research
McClintock has begun researching topics after seeing Menstrual cycle Of a small number of women, ages 17-22, who lived in college dorms.
She divided the women into two groups. People close to each other, such as best friends and roommates, and those who are not associated with the selected group of women.
Six months later she discovered that people who lived near each other started them period Those who were away within 3-7 days but not close started the period 5-15 days apart.
However, given the small scale of this study and the fact that it is outdated, are the results still valid or reliable? According to other researchers, it is not the case.
Results from other studies studying period synchronization
After McClintock’s research, this topic quickly gained traction, and other researchers began their work.
These are some of the results.
- 1993: The study showed that 29 same-sex couples did not experience sync.
- 1995: The study showed that a pair of close friends who did not live together did not experience sync.
- 2017: App Clues partnered with Oxford University to analyze 360 pairs of women who are close friends. After three cycles, 273 pairs noticed an even greater difference in period start date, as opposed to the start of the study.
The final study shows that in reality the exact opposite is true, and the synchronization of that period is not a thing.
However, it is important to note that before we believe these studies are 100% effective, we have not been peer-reviewed by healthcare professionals. This means that the outcome is not approved as decisive.
In other words, more research needs to be done to ultimately conclude that period synchronization is real. However, at present, it is strongly suggested that period synchronization is not real.
Theory of period synchronization
What people believe in the sync of periods? Why does it actually happen?
Well, if you synchronize periods, there is a theory that suggests that teeth The truth is that it relates to the release of pheromones when women are close to each other.
Pheromones are chemicals that when released affect the behavior of others.
However, this theory is not very valuable today due to modern practice.
“Phelomones are mainly released from the armpits and gro diameters, but think about the habits of modern society. According to Dr. Stasia Jhaveriob/gyn.
Period Synchronization: Is it just a time and mathematics problem?
Until now, no reliable data was found to prove that period synchronization was real. In fact, many studies have shown that this is not the case.
But is there a possible explanation as to why your period may feel like it’s in sync with your friends or roommates? surely. And it all has to do with time and mathematics.
Over time, women who have a 3-week cycle and others who have a 5-week cycle ultimately have overlapping periods.
It’s anecdote that your roommate would likely remember you had a bad convulsion, but at the same time you did more than you didn’t.says Dr. Javeli.Women have different cycle lengths, which means they branch out in duplicate. ”
This makes sense.
So, there is not enough evidence to prove that cycle synchronization is real, so what are some factors actually? do Does it affect your period?
Factors that influence your time
- Taking birth control pills: When you’re in Contraceptivesit changes the levels of sex hormones in your body.
- Extreme stress: If you are very stressed, your body will release a stress hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol may stop ovulation That track affects whether or not there is a period and when.
- Chronic disease: Many chronic diseases such as Diabetescystic fibrosis, renal disease, and inflammatory bowel disease can affect the menstrual cycle.
- Loss of anorexia/bulimia: repetition Purges and binging can cause irregular periods or even halt completely.
- exercise: If you are exercising excessively, your period may be missed or completely stopped due to hormonal changes caused by extreme exercise.
Therefore, the ideas behind the simultaneous era are very appealing, but the truth is told, but it is impossible to prove that it actually happens. In fact, there are more studies that say it is not the case than studies that do.
Certainly there are more research on this issue. But for now, sorry woman: The peer period is not real. It’s simply a myth that might be fun to believe.
And hey, if you find comfort in being in your period at the same time as your best, then you’re not hurting anyone!