Diurnal and weekly, but no lunar rhythms in humans copulation
Palmer, J.D.; Udry, J.R.; Morris, N.M.
Human Biology 54(1): 111-121
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0018-7143 PMID: 7200945 DOI: 10.2307/41463358Document Number: 394426
Using the copulation times from 78 white married women, representing an average of 72 reporting days/woman over a 12-mo. period, 2 expected prominent copulatory rhythms were found and described quantitatively. The daily rhythm is characterized by a major evening peak, which encompasses 58% of the daily copulations, and a minor peak in the morning. The weekly rhythm describes a rather constant copulatory rate during weekdays, with a large increase on weekends. The probability of orgasm was significantly greater in copulations taking place after midday. Because of the long-time speculation that the moon plays some role in the timing of human lovemaking, the data were examined for such a relationship. None was found.