# Menstrual Cycle Matters in Host Attractiveness to Mosquitoes and Topical Repellent Protection

## TL;DR

This study shows that attractiveness to mosquitoes and the effectiveness of repellents vary with the menstrual cycle, with higher risk during ovulation.

## Contribution

The study reveals that the menstrual cycle influences mosquito attraction and topical repellent efficacy, a previously underexplored factor.

## Key findings

- Mosquito landing rates are higher during ovulation compared to menstruation and the luteal phase.
- Repellent protection time is shorter during ovulation than during other phases of the menstrual cycle.

## Abstract

This study investigated how the menstrual cycle affects a person’s attractiveness to mosquitoes and their degree of protection when using mosquito repellents. While many factors influence attractiveness to mosquitoes, it is unclear whether the menstrual cycle matters. We found that people were at greater risk of mosquito bites and received less protection from a topical repellent during ovulation than during menstruation and the luteal phase. By clarifying how an important physiological cycle can influence mosquito behavior, our work sheds light on the factors that influence attractiveness to mosquitoes and repellent protection time. Our findings should help guide the development of better ways to protect people from mosquito bites.

Human hosts exhibit remarkable variability in their attractiveness to mosquitoes, leading to differences in biting rates. It is essential to understand the factors behind this variability if we wish to develop more effective strategies for controlling the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. While past studies have shed significant light on the forces shaping host attractiveness to mosquitoes, we continue to lack information about variation in attractiveness within individual hosts. For example, little attention has been paid to the potential impact of the menstrual cycle. Our study explored the relationship between the menstrual cycle, host attractiveness to mosquitoes, and the effectiveness of topical mosquito repellents. We found that mosquito landing rate was higher and repellent protection time was shorter during ovulation than during menstruation and the luteal phase. By beginning to clarify the intricate interplay between human physiology and mosquito behavior, our results contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding the factors that affect within-individual variability in attractiveness to mosquitoes, which has implications for the efficacy of protection and disease prevention strategies.