We Finally Know For Sure If Women's Periods Really Sync Up With Each Other

One of the best parts about getting your period (HAHAHAHA) is the potential for your cycle to sync up with those of your girl friends.

I don't know why, but for some reason, this was something my friends and I used to talk about a LOT.

It was even used as social ammo, depending on how our social circle was doing that month: "Rachel and I are synced because we went to the beach together, AKA WE'RE BEST FRIENDS. BYE, LOSERS."

It was... weird. And honestly, I don't even know where I first heard the rumor it was possible.

Either way, it doesn't matter because science is now saying it's NOT true that your cycle will eventually sync up with those whom you spend time with.

According to Clue, a period tracking app, no studies thus far have proven this syncing process to be true.

Clue's research partner from the University of Oxford, Dr. Alexandra Alvergne, examined the history of menstruation and the syncing of cycles.

Apparently, in 1971, the first study was conducted on this particular subject, introducing the idea of an "alpha uterus." This involved the idea that a single uterus supposedly had a "strong hormonal pull" that allowed it to affect the flow of other women.

(For argument's sake, let's just say Beyoncé is probably our generation's alpha uterus.)

Other theories included "socially mediated synchrony," a more evolution-based theory, which suggested women begin to ovulate at the same time to prevent one male from taking over the sex and reproduction scene.

Well, Clue took matters into their own hands to see if these older theories were true.

They conducted a study of over 1,500 of their female users and their menstrual cycles, based on their relationship with another Clue user (i.e. a friend, a sibling, a partner, roommates, etc.).

After analyzing 360 pairs of people over the course of at least three period cycles, Clue concluded that not only is the syncing theory untrue, but a significant number of these pairs' cycles actually began to diverge over time, instead of syncing up.

A significant number of these pairs' cycles actually began to diverge over time, instead of sync up.

I know, big plot twist.

Clue found 273 pairs of women had large separations in their cycle start dates toward the end of the study than in the beginning. In fact, only 79 pairs saw their start dates grow closer over time.

Furthermore, living together didn't necessarily make syncing cycles more likely to happen. Thiry-seven percent of those whose cycles grew apart were already living together. That percentage was also higher than the percent of pairs living together whose cycles synced in the end (24 percent).

Living together didn't necessarily make syncing cycles more likely to happen.

Moral of the story? Each period is a unique snowflake.

Well, there goes the Cool Girl's Period Club I started my sophomore year!

Citations: Do menstrual cycles sync? Unlikely, finds Clue data (Clue)