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Ovulation makes women choose "bad boys"
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Hormonal changes that accompany the development of the egg make women see adventurous adventurers as the most reliable fathers of the family.
Why do women so often fall for the charm of "bad boys"? After all, they must understand that a man who looks and acts like a conventional James Bond will not be a reliable partner: the most you can count on with him is a fleeting adventure. Meanwhile, women sometimes simply go crazy over such individuals and make intense attempts to tie the "James Bond" they come across with the bonds of marriage.
Scientists have found an interesting biological explanation for this. It turns out that women's minds fail them during ovulation. Hormonal changes that occur in the body during the final stages of egg maturation probably make women less selective in choosing a father for their child. At the same time, their perception of men who are unreliable in terms of family values changed to the exact opposite. Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio (USA) showed women at different stages of their menstrual cycle photos of men: some were obvious playboys ("bad boys"), while others demonstrated the type of reliable head of the family. The women were asked to say whether, in their opinion, these men would be caring fathers, whether they would help in the kitchen, change diapers, etc. And the ratings of unreliable playboy adventurers increased sharply as soon as the women began ovulating.
The same thing happened when replacing the photos with live actors: they portrayed different male types, and women assessed their suitability for the role of a family man. At the same time, researchers note one curious nuance in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Women quite sensibly pointed out the shortcomings of unreliable men and their unsuitability for building long-term relationships - but only if they did not mean themselves. That is, ovulation does not prevent women from dissuading their girlfriend from an unwise step. But as soon as they imagined themselves next to a flighty handsome man, the ability to reason sensibly refused completely.
During the menstrual cycle, when the chances of getting pregnant are highest, hormonal levels force one to neglect long-term relationship planning and quickly realize the chance to continue the family line. The changes in psychology are quite curious, and one must assume that there are other aspects of personality that change at this time under the influence of hormones. For now, women should remember that at a certain period of their lives they should stay away from charming adventurers.