Menstrual synchrony by chance when there is menstrual cycle variability. Yang and Schank argued that when there is cycle variability (i.e., either women have irregular cycles, have cycles of different frequencies, or both), most women will have the opportunity to experience synchrony even though it is a result of cycle variability and not a result of a mechanism such as the exchange of pheromones. For example, consider two women A and B. Suppose A has menstrual cycles that are 28 days long and B has cycles that are 30 days long. Suppose further that when A and B become close friends, B
Menstrual synchrony study has ever found that menstrual cycles become strictly concordant, nevertheless "menstrual synchrony" is used to refer the phenomenon of menstrual cycle onsets becoming closer to each other over time. In a recent systematic review of menstrual synchrony, Harris and Vitzthum concluded, "In light of the lack of empirical evidence for MS [menstrual synchrony] "sensu stricto", it seems there should be more widespread doubt than acceptance of this hypothesis" (pp. 238–239). The experience of synchrony may be the result of the mathematical fact that menstrual cycles of different frequencies repeatedly converge and diverge over time and not due to a