Facial Asymmetry and Sexuality in Women

People perceive more symmetrical individuals as more attractive; therefore, facial symmetry has been linked to mate selection. Being perceived as more attractive could also increase women's indirect reproductive benefits that would follow from pronounced sexuality and enhanced mating. Sexuality can be examined either as long-term, through sociosexual orientation, or through current sexual activity and desire. This study explored the relationship between facial asymmetry and female sexuality, while taking into account a relationship status and, due to the potential differences in facial asymmetry between female from rural and urban areas, the place of residence. Long-term sexuality was measured with the three subscales of the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R): Behavior, Attitude, and Desire. Current sexual activity and desire were assessed with questions about their frequency and intensity (based on the Female Sexual Function Index). Simple correlations revealed a weak, negative association between facial asymmetry and the number of sexual partners in the last year (ρ = - .23, 95% CI [- 0.45, 0.01], p = .047), SOI Attitude (ρ = - .25, 95% CI [- 0.44, - 0.03], p = .031), and sexual desire (ρ = - .21, 95% CI [- 0.43, - 0,00], p = .082). However, these effects were no longer significant after including place of residence as a confounder (.42 < p < .91). These results highlight the importance of external conditions when investigating correlates of facial asymmetry.