Do women's faces become more attractive near ovulation?

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Psychology
• Human Behavior
• Facial Attractiveness Research

Background:

• Previous studies show mixed results on whether women's faces are perceived as more attractive near ovulation.
• Some research suggests men prefer facial shapes associated with the fertile window.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate findings on facial attractiveness and ovulatory cycle phase.
• To investigate if facial shape cues of immediate fecundity are detectable.
• To explore the role of estradiol in facial attractiveness.

Main Methods:

• Constructed composite faces from photos of 23 women across three cycle phases: early follicular, fertile window, and luteal.
• Warped 20 other faces to match these composite shapes.
• Male participants ranked the attractiveness of face triplets from different cycle phases.

Main Results:

• Men found fertile window and luteal phase faces more attractive than early follicular phase faces.
• Fertile window and luteal phase faces were ranked as equally attractive.
• Failed to replicate a preference for fertile window over luteal phase stimuli.

Conclusions:

• Findings do not support the ability to detect facial shape cues of immediate fecundity.
• Results suggest estradiol may subtly increase facial attractiveness.
• Further research is needed on facial cues of women's ovulatory timing.