Per this articleapparently women are somehow conveying their fertility status to men. How would they be doing this behavior wise?
Behaviorally, I would venture a guess that it’s one three possible scenarios:
A) She’s flat out more aggressive about seeking out a mate (or a one night stand). She may approach him, call him over, etc. In general, make the first move. And some men find that “more attractive.”
B) She is more open. A girl who is normally reserved may feel less inhibited and more willing to talk to a man. She will use positive, open body language and is responsive to his flirting/ attempt to mate.
C) She is less picky. A woman might lower her standards (probably not consciously, mind you), and a man that may have been only okay before suddenly seems like a real possibility. Then once she gets to know him, she realizes there’s more to him than she previously thought. (This might explain how schlubby sitcom husbands have smokin’ wives. Can you imagine that conversation. “Mommy, how did you and Daddy meet?” “Well, pumpkin, Mommy was ovulating, so she was less picky about the men she would do it with, and, well, here we are today!”)
IANA behavioral psychologist, so take this with a grain of salt, but these reasons all make sense. The last two, especially, would explain why and how ovulation “could alter women’s view of male attractiveness.”
One study found that women in bars who are fertile are more likely to wear sexy/skimpy clothing.
"Dr Alvergne said the use of the Pill could influence a woman’s ability to attract a mate by reducing her attractiveness to men "
As long as hetero men get horny that will never happen. hell, it seems that for some really scuzzy men out there just having the right genitalia makes women attractive.
Yes, I recall that. They tend to wear less clothing, more jewelry and to seek out the company of men more often. And their preference in mens appearance tends more towards the stereotypically masculine as well. Fascinating how all this happens with no conscious awareness on her part that she’s at her most fertile.
When fertile, a woman’s sex drive gets turned up. Most of what they do to pursue this they may not be consciously aware has anything to do with their fertility peaking. So yeah, they will dress in their sexier clothes, be more open to a mans approach or even be more willing to approach a man. I’m certain there are pherhormonal changes, but most people will mask these with deodorant or perfume, but I don’t know how much that effects our ability to detect pherhormones.
We’re still human beings so the signs will not always be obvert. Women who normally dress the same everyday won’t suddenly show up wearing latex and leather. Nor will they leave one extra button undone on their blouse two or three days a month.
A lot of us know when we are fertile. I know all the signs and track them every month so I know when I need to use birth control. Obviously, a lot of women track their fertility signs so they know when they can get pregnant.
Though it is not a behavioral thing, one sign of fertility is swelling breasts. I imagine this is something that would make a women seem more attractive to many men. I hear that lots of men like boobies. Anyway, I always notice that my breasts are bigger so I suppose other people might, too.
Okay, that was a lie. I know that most men look at my boobs all the time and I use them every chance I get. Heh.
In that study they wore skirts more often, shorter skirts, showed off more skin, low cut blouses, etc. To a single guy, this is pretty obvious.
Interesting. What are the signs? Do you simply wake up and think, “I’m feeling really fertile today; better put on the red dress” or are there some sort of, say, temperature variations, or do you ache somewhere, or what?
I learned about them from this book: http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255017544&sr=1-1
Taking Charge of Your Fertility.
Basically, it involves taking your temperature every morning and noting changes and also checking your cervical fluid and likewise noting changes in it. When you start to secrete fertile quality cervical fluid, you know you’re about to ovulate. You can also check the position and firmness of your cervix but that is optional.
Obviously, the longer you do this and get used to the changes your body goes through every month, you become aware of other things like your back aching or your breasts swelling, retaining water, getting hornier, feeling fatigued or whatever changes you experience.
While at other times she may tend more towards men who are richer or have means of some sort. It’s really in all women’s interests to marry a rich guy but get pregnant by a masculine guy. That way she gets good genes and her offspring will be well taken care of.
A woman is not only more fertile during her fertile phase (duh!) but also more likely to orgasm, which increases chances of conception. She is also most likely to cheat during that phase.
Now I don’t condone cheating – but it seems that nature does.
Masculine guy = good genes? Is that based on them being in good shape? That might be true but I don’t know if more masculine guys are also smarter.
Masculine guys = more likely to be healthy/fitter. It’s not meant to be attractive mate qualities, but genes that are more likely to survive and be passed on to give the offspring the best chances of health and survival.
Well, a higher testosterone level correlates with higher chance of pregnancy. But when women are showed photos of men they would like to have a LTR relationship with they tend to choose smaller more effeminate men. So I guess these are just two different mating strategies. The big hairy guy guarantees pregnancy while the smaller guy guarantees long term commitment.
So what the hell do I do, then? I have an IUD - I’m never fertile. Indeed, that’s the whole reason I have it. My IUD’s hormonal, and while I’m iffy on whether it actually stops me from ovulating, it certainly has pretty much stopped the periods in their tracks (a great side-benefit, to be sure).
Isn’t that how a number of BCPs work - by tricking the body into thinking it’s already pregnant, so women on the pill generally don’t ovulate? So they’re not fertile either, it seems to me.
The more I think about it, the more this “study” seems to be bunk.
And on a re-read, I guess I see it now - I’m just not attractive to the opposite sex any more then. Heh - tell that to my husband.
Here are my wife’s subtle signs that she is in her fertile time of her cycle:
- Saying “When you get home from work, we’re going to do it.”
- Saying “We’re having sex tonight whether you want to or not.”
- Grabbing my crotch
- Taking my clothes off
- Taking her clothes off
Sure, the signs are subtle, but after nine years of marriage I’ve become attuned to them.
They are subtle. You missed one. When you are sleeping to find her crawling on top of you and taking you. That one is pretty subtle but I’ve become use to recognising it. 
I’ve never been on hormonal birth control.
In the week leading up to ovulation (I track my cycle religiously using the methods outlined above, and ovulation usually occurs 14-17 days after the first day of my last period) my sex drive is high. I think about sex all the time, desire it strongly and often, and yeah, I communicate this to my partner pretty directly. Often through my clothing.
Other than that, I don’t know how I am ‘signaling’ that I am fertile. Perhaps I smell a bit better through pheromones, etc. Either way I am getting laid a lot - mostly because I am pursuing it.
I think you’re missing the point. The study is not saying that you’re only attractive when you’re fertile. It’s saying that when you’re fertile, you’re more likely to adopt strategies to get laid because your sex drive is higher.
Be that as it may, humans are one of the few species that hide their fertility really well. Human women’s butts don’t turn bright red during estrus, for instance. In fact women’s bodies are evolved to fool and out-maneuver men. I think the reason is to get the best sperm. I’m not sure why that trait didn’t evolve in other species.
‘Masculine’ men are in fact less likely to be healthy, due to the depressive effect of higher circulating testosterone on the immune system. They are also much more likely to be ‘unfit’ - macho young men have a high risk of accidental injury and death (risky driving, etc).
Those manly men that survive and remain healthy, however, are the cream of the crop reproductively.