\n<\/aside>\nUltimately, McLean insists, there\u2019s no biological basis for what these videos suggest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which are regulated through communication between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries,\u201d she explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A period doesn\u2019t appear on command like a dog. And it\u2019s determined biologically by a person\u2019s ovulation schedule, \u201cnot in response to someone speaking.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no physiological pathway that would allow sound waves or vocal tone to influence hormone levels quickly enough to start a period,\u201d says McLean.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean the menstrual cycle is rigid, though. It is prone to disruptions and can be thrown off course by things like stress, illness, significant weight changes or intense exercise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s possible to manipulate the cycle with some advance planning and the help of hormonal birth control \u2014 the pill, the patch or a ring \u2014 and certain IUDs, which can delay or skip a period by controlling hormone levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a safe and common approach for people who want more predictability around their cycle,\u201d says the doc. \u201cIf timing matters for something like a vacation or major event, it\u2019s worth talking to a health care provider about your options so you can plan in a way that works with your body, not against it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Back on TikTok, it\u2019s not just power-hungry men claiming this is real. Dozens and dozens of commenters who appear to be women have added their voices to the chorus claiming they\u2019ve experienced this with their boyfriends and husbands.<\/p>\n
So why would that be?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s likely happening is a mix of coincidence and perception,\u201d McLean said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone who\u2019s already close to starting their period might feel like it\u2019s triggered by something external \u201cwhen really it was about to happen anyway.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
One study<\/a> points to how women may be attracted to different things at different points in their cycle, such as \u201cduring the fertile phase of the cycle, women tend to prefer more masculine partners,\u201d while at other points, masculinity is not as important. But it\u2019s not entirely clear if that has anything to do with men\u2019s voices.<\/p>\n\u201cThere is no real data yet that this is true, however science will begin to catch up as social media trends, like this, spike,\u201d McLean said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n