Disgust sensitivity across the menstrual cycle: evidence from pathogen and food-related measures
Disgust sensitivity across the menstrual cycle: evidence from pathogen and food-related measures
StatusVoR
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Authors
Strzelczyk, Lukasz
Galbarczyk, Andrzej
Krzych-Miłkowska, Karolina
Klimek, Magdalena
Słojewska, Kinga
Tubek-Krokosz, Anna
Ścibor, Monika
Szymków-Sudziarska, Aleksandra
Jasienska, Grazyna
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Date
2026-05-13
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Evolution and Human Behavior
Issue
4
Volume
47
Pages
Pages
1-6
ISSN
1090-5138
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Access date
2026-05-13
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Disgust in response to health threats may change depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. These cycle-related shifts are thought to result from fluctuations in progesterone and estradiol, which influence both immune activity and behavioural responses to potential source of infections. We hypothesized that hormonal changes may modulate not only pathogen aversion but also food disgust. The study involved 63 Polish women between ages 20 and 35 (M = 27.50, SD = 4.24). The survey period encompassed the luteal and follicular phases, which were confirmed by the use of ovulation tests detecting rising luteinizing hormone levels. Food disgust was measured using the Food Disgust Scale and the Food Disgust Pictures Scale, while pathogen disgust was measured using photographs of potential infection sources. Results were analysed with Student's t-test and Bayesian t-tests. The findings indicated higher pathogen disgust in the luteal phase relative to the follicular phase, although the estimated difference was small. For food disgust, effect estimates were centred close to zero and characterised by substantial uncertainty, providing limited evidence for lack of systematic variation across menstrual cycle phases.
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Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Behavioural immune system
Food disgust
Menstrual cycle
Ovulation
Pathogen disgust
Psychophysiology
Food disgust
Menstrual cycle
Ovulation
Pathogen disgust
Psychophysiology
Keywords other
Sustainable Development Goals
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