You could be part of the lucky percentage of women who report PMS symptoms. One 1999 study found that 66 percent of say they have some positive premenstrual changes; those most frequently reported increased sexual interest and enjoyment.

PMS is not all bad. These are some of the positive symptoms associated with PMS:

• The perception of having more attractive breasts

• More energy

• More creative ideas

• Increased sexual interest and enjoyment

Increased Sexual Desire

There are several documented times during the menstrual cycle when sexual desire seems to peak for certain women: at ovulation, in the follicular (the first half) phase, and in the late luteal phase. For example, many women feel a surge of sexual interest right before ovulation, which is when luteinizing hormone (which stimulates the growth and maturation of eggs) is at its peak. In this case, sexual desire is tied to the evolutionary desire to reproduce. Many women who do not experience PMS report their sexual interest peaks in the follicular phase, while women with PMS are more likely to report their interest peaks during the ovulatory phase, or late luteal phase.