Women with
stable but not-so-sexy mates become more distant, critical during periods of
high fertility
Long after
women have chosen Mr. Stable over Mr. Sexy, they struggle unconsciously with
the decision, according to a new study by UCLA researchers who look at subtle
changes in behavior during ovulation.
At their
most fertile period, these women are less likely to feel close to their mates
and more likely to find fault with them than women mated to more sexually
desirable men, the research shows.
"A
woman evaluates her relationship differently at different times in her cycle,
and her evaluation seems to be colored by how sexually attractive she perceives
her partner to be," said Martie Haselton, a professor of psychology and
communication studies at UCLA and senior author of the study.