Neural correlates of erotic stimulation under different levels of female sexual hormones
Open accessAbstract
Previous studies have demonstrated variable influences of sexual hormonal states on female brain activation and the necessity to control for these in neuroimaging studies. However, systematic investigations of these influences, particularly those of hormonal contraceptives as compared to the physiological menstrual cycle are scarce. In the present study, we investigated the hormonal modulation of neural correlates of erotic processing in a group of females under hormonal contraceptives (C group; N = 12), and a different group of females (nC group; N = 12) not taking contraceptives during their mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases of the cycle. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure hemodynamic responses as an estimate of brain activation during three different experimental conditions of visual erotic stimulation: dynamic videos, static erotic pictures, and expectation of erotic pictures. Plasma estrogen and progesterone levels were assessed in all subjects. No strong hormonally modulating effect was detected upon more direct and explicit stimulation (viewing of videos or pictures) with significant activations in cortical and subcortical brain regions previously linked to erotic stimulation consistent across hormonal levels and stimulation type. Upon less direct and less explicit stimulation (expectation), activation patterns varied between the different hormonal conditions with various, predominantly frontal brain regions showing significant within- or between-group differences. Activation in the precentral gyrus during the follicular phase in the nC group was found elevated compared to the C group and positively correlated with estrogen levels. From the results we conclude that effects of hormonal influences on brain activation during erotic stimulation are weak if stimulation is direct and explicit but that female sexual hormones may modulate more subtle aspects of sexual arousal and behaviour as involved in sexual expectation. Results may provide a basis for future imaging studies on sexual processing in females, especially in the context of less explicit erotic stimulation.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Hormonal contraception (HC) use alters women's pair-bonding behavior.
“Importantly, HC use alters women's pair-bonding behavior, evident in decreased attractiveness ratings of masculine faces (Little et al., 2013), reduced neural response to the expectation of erotic stimuli (Abler et al., 2013), a preference shift towards olfactory cues of genetic similarity (Roberts et al., 2008) and increased sexual jealousy (Geary et al., 2001).”
From Hormonal contraceptives suppress oxytocin-induced brain reward responses to the partner’s face (2016) · cites this paper as Abler et al., 2013
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
The CES-D Scale: A Self-Report Depression Scale for Research in the General Population
Radloff, L. S. (1977) · Applied Psychological Measurement · doi:10.1177/014662167700100306 · Cited by 53,267 · see citing works
Co-Planar Stereotaxic Atlas of the Human Brain
Talairach, J., & Tournoux, P. (1988) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 11,798 · see citing works
Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Koretz, D., Merikangas, K. R., Rush, A. J., Walters, E. E., & Wang, P. S. (2003) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.289.23.3095 · Cited by 7,988 · see citing works
Maldjian, J., Laurienti, P., Kraft, R., & Burdette, J. (2003) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/s1053-8119(03)00169-1 · Cited by 5,453 · see citing works
(2005) · CTIT technical reports series · Cited by 5,307 · see citing works
Gusnard, D. A., Akbudak, E., Shulman, G. L., & Raichle, M. E. (2001) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.071043098 · Cited by 2,997 · see citing works
Effect of subjective perspective taking during simulation of action: a PET investigation of agency
Ruby, P., & Decety, J. (2001) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/87510 · Cited by 1,182 · see citing works
Normal Sexual Dimorphism of the Adult Human Brain Assessed by In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Goldstein, J. M. (2001) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/11.6.490 · Cited by 1,021 · see citing works
Pfaus, J. G. (2009) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01309.x · Cited by 678 · see citing works
Men and women differ in amygdala response to visual sexual stimuli
Hamann, S., Herman, R. A., Nolan, C. L., & Wallen, K. (2004) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nn1208 · Cited by 603 · see citing works
Friston, K. J., Penny, W. D., & Glaser, D. E. (2005) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.01.013 · Cited by 578 · see citing works
Menstrual cycle phase modulates reward-related neural function in women
Dreher, J.-C., Schmidt, P. J., Kohn, P., Furman, D., Rubinow, D., & Berman, K. F. (2007) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0605569104 · Cited by 567 · see citing works
Brain processing of visual sexual stimuli in human males
Redouté, J., Stoléru, S., Grégoire, M., Costes, N., Cinotti, L., Lavenne, F., Bars, D. L., Forest, M., & Pujol, J. (2000) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/1097-0193(200011)11:3 · Cited by 538 · see citing works
Areas of brain activation in males and females during viewing of erotic film excerpts
Karama, S., Lecours, A. R., Leroux, J., Bourgouin, P., Beaudoin, G., Joubert, S., & Beauregard, M. (2002) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.10014 · Cited by 522 · see citing works
Brain activation and sexual arousal in healthy, heterosexual males
Arnow, B. A., Desmond, J. E., Banner, L. L., Glover, G. H., Solomon, A., Polan, M. L., Lue, T. F., & Atlas, S. W. (2002) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/awf108 · Cited by 425 · see citing works
Neural correlates of individual ratings of emotional salience: A trial-related fMRI study
Phan, K. L., Taylor, S. F., Welsh, R. C., Ho, S.-H., Britton, J. C., & Liberzon, I. (2004) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.09.072 · Cited by 416 · see citing works
The human sexual response cycle: Brain imaging evidence linking sex to other pleasures
Georgiadis, J. R., & Kringelbach, M. L. (2012) · Progress in Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.05.004 · Cited by 399 · see citing works
Hormonal Cycle Modulates Arousal Circuitry in Women Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Goldstein, J. M., Jerram, M., Poldrack, R., Ahern, T., Kennedy, D. N., Seidman, L. J., & Makris, N. (2005) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.2239-05.2005 · Cited by 368 · see citing works
Duvernoy’s Atlas of the Human Brain Stem and Cerebellum
Naidich, T. P., Duvernoy, H. M., Delman, B. N., Sorensen, A. G., Kollias, S. S., & Haacke, E. M. (2009) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-211-73971-6 · Cited by 313 · see citing works
Dynamics of male sexual arousal: distinct components of brain activation revealed by fMRI
Ferretti, A., Caulo, M., Del Gratta, C., Di Matteo, R., Merla, A., Montorsi, F., Pizzella, V., Pompa, P., Rigatti, P., Rossini, P. M., et al. (2005) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.03.025 · Cited by 288 · see citing works
Walter, M., Bermpohl, F., Mouras, H., Schiltz, K., Tempelmann, C., Rotte, M., Heinze, H. J., Bogerts, B., & Northoff, G. (2008) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.01.040 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Self-citationMouras, H., Stoléru, S., Bittoun, J., Glutron, D., Pélégrini‐Issac, M., Paradis, A., & Burnod, Y. (2003) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/s1053-8119(03)00408-7 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Sex differences in viewing sexual stimuli: An eye-tracking study in men and women
Rupp, H. A., & Wallen, K. (2007) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.01.008 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Ovulatory Shifts in Female Sexual Desire
Pillsworth, E. G., Haselton, M. G., & Buss, D. M. (2004) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224490409552213 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Mood, Sexuality, Hormones, and the Menstrual Cycle. III. Sexuality and the Role of Androgens
Bancroft, J., Sanders, D., Davidson, D., et al. (1983) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-198312000-00005 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
MacLusky, N. J., Clark, A. S., Naftolin, F. N., & Goldman‐Rakic, P. S. (1987) · Steroids · doi:10.1016/0039-128x(87)90032-8 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Naidich, T. P., Duvernoy, H. M., Delman, B. N., et al. (2009) · Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) · Cited by 155 · see citing works
On the frequency of intercourse around ovulation: evidence for biological influences
Wilcox, A. J. (2004) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deh305 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Neuroanatomical correlates of penile erection evoked by photographic stimuli in human males
Moulier, V., Mouras, H., Pélégrini‐Issac, M., Glutron, D., Rouxel, R., Grandjean, B., Bittoun, J., & Stoléru, S. (2006) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.06.037 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Gizewski, E. R., Krause, E., Karama, S., Baars, A., Senf, W., & Forsting, M. (2006) · Experimental Brain Research · doi:10.1007/s00221-006-0429-3 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Oral Contraceptives and Libido in Women
Davis, A. R., & Castaño, P. M. (2004) · Annual Review of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/10532528.2004.10559822 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Labbate, L. A., & Lare, S. B. (2001) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000056257 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Allgemeine Depressionsskala (ADS)
Bailer, M., Hautzinger, M., Hofmeister, D., & Keller, F. (2012) · Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) · Cited by 105 · see citing works
A Quantitative Meta-Analysis on Cue-Induced Male Sexual Arousal
Kühn, S., & Gallinat, J. (2011) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02322.x · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Oral contraceptives, androgens, and the sexuality of young women: II. The role of androgens
Bancroft, J., Sherwin, B. B., Alexander, G. M., Davidson, D. W., & Walker, A. (1991) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/bf01541939 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Klucken, T., Schweckendiek, J., Merz, C. J., Tabbert, K., Walter, B., Kagerer, S., Vaitl, D., & Stark, R. M. (2009) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01405.x · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Stuckey, B. G. A. (2008) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00992.x · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Face-specific and domain-general characteristics of cortical responses during self-recognition
Sugiura, M., Sassa, Y., Jeong, H., Horie, K., Sato, S., & Kawashima, R. (2008) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.03.054 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Hormonal Contraception and Sexual Desire: A Critical Review
Schaffir, J. (2006) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/00926230600666311 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Abler, B., Seeringer, A., Hartmann, A., Grön, G., Metzger, C. D., Walter, M., & Stingl, J. (2011) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/npp.2011.66 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Self-citationGeorgiadis, J. R., Farrell, M. J., Boessen, R., Denton, D. A., Gavrilescu, M., Kortekaas, R., Renken, R. J., Hoogduin, J. M., & Egan, G. F. (2009) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.12.034 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Contraceptive Practice and Trends in Coital Frequency
Trussell, J., & Westoff, C. F. (1980) · Family Planning Perspectives · doi:10.2307/2134867 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Archer, J. S., Love, T. E., Herbst-Damm, K. L., Swinney, D., & Chang, J. (2006) · Menopause The Journal of The North American Menopause Society · doi:10.1097/01.gme.0000188737.46746.cd · Cited by 75 · see citing works
High resolution fMRI of subcortical regions during visual erotic stimulation at 7 T
Walter, M., Stadler, J., Tempelmann, C., Speck, O., & Northoff, G. (2008) · Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics Biology and Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10334-007-0103-1 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Self-citationRupp, H. A., James, T. W., Ketterson, E. D., Sengelaub, D. R., Janssen, E., & Heiman, J. R. (2008) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2008.08.006 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Brain activation evoked by erotic films varies with different menstrual phases: An fMRI study
Zhu, X., Wang, X., Parkinson, C. M., Cai, C., Gao, S., & Hu, P. (2009) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2009.09.027 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Wallen, K., & Rupp, H. A. (2009) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.12.005 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Sex-Specific Content Preferences for Visual Sexual Stimuli
Rupp, H. A., & Wallen, K. (2008) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9402-5 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Rumberg, B., Baars, A., Fiebach, J., Ladd, M., Forsting, M., Senf, W., & Gizewski, E. (2010) · Neurosciences research · doi:10.1016/j.neures.2009.12.011 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Walter, M., Matthiae, C., Wiebking, C., Rotte, M., Tempelmann, C., Bogerts, B., Heinze, H., & Northoff, G. (2007) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.20506 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Self-citationRYMER, J. M. (2008) · Menopause international · doi:10.1258/mi.2008.008041 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Reinecke, A., Schöps, D., & Hoyer, J. (2006) · Verhaltenstherapie · doi:10.1159/000094747 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
ORAL CONTRACEPTION AND SEXUALITY
Dennerstein, L., & Burrows, G. D. (1962) · The Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1976.tb141059.x · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Bianchi‐Demicheli, F., & Ortigue, S. (2009) · PubMed · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Hormonal contraceptives suppress oxytocin-induced brain reward responses to the partner’s face
Scheele, D., Plota, J., Stoffel-Wagner, B., Maier, W., & Hurlemann, R. (2016) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsv157 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
“, 2013), reduced neural response to the expectation of erotic stimuli (Abler et al., 2013), a preference shift towards olfactory cues of genetic similarity (Roberts et al.”
BackgroundZethraeus, N., Dreber, A., Ranehill, E., Blomberg, L., Labrie, F., von Schoultz, B., Johannesson, M., & Hirschberg, A. L. (2016) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2016-2032 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
- Authors
- Abler, B., Kumpfmüller, D., Grön, G., Walter, M., Stingl, J., & Seeringer, A.
- Affiliations
- Universität Ulm (DE)
- Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Abler, Birgit
- Venue
- PLoS ONE
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Published
- 2013-02-13
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- e54447
- ISSN
- 1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3572100
- OpenAlex
- W2037426998
- Cited by
- 75
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5
- FWCI
- 6.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- mediaTUM – the media and publications repository of the Technical University Munich (Technical University Munich) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Keywords
- hormonal contraception, menstrual cycle, estrogen, progesterone, sexual arousal, brain activation, precentral gyrus
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Brain, Brain Mapping, Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal, Erotica, Estrogens, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Photic Stimulation, Progesterone, Sexual Behavior, Functional Neuroimaging
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
