Birth Control Pills Might Alter Mate Selection

[caseagainstfaith]

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Could birth control pills be taking human evolution in a whole new, and possibly detrimental, direction?

A review of past research finds that, by altering hormonal cycles, the pill might affect choice of mates among members of both genders in a way that could hinder successful reproduction in the future.

"The use of the pill by women, by changing her mate preferences, might induce women to mate with otherwise less-preferred partners, which might have important consequences for mate choice and reproductive outcomes," said Alexandra Alvergne, lead author of a study appearing in the October issue of Trends in Ecology & Evolution.

"One prediction is that offspring of pill users are more homozygous than expected, possibly related to impaired immune function and decreased perceived health and attractiveness," according to the report by Alvergne, a postdoctoral research associate in the department of animal and plant sciences at the University of Sheffield in England, and colleague Virpi Lummaa.

Source - news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20091007/hl_hsn/birthcontrolpillsmightaltermateselectionstudy

[SimSim]

The one thing that has me curios is the statement that men prefer women who are ovulating. Humans have a hidden estrous cycle, how are men determining which women are ovulating?

[Lady Renae]

Wait... so people born from women on the pill are more ugly than accidental babies of poor planning??? The fuck??

[SimSim]

No, it said that they are more likely to have weakened immune systems and decreased perceived health and attractiveness, not that they are actually less attractive.

[DeadpanDoubter]

Oct 7, 2009 15:51:56 GMT -5 SimSim said:

The one thing that has me curios is the statement that men prefer women who are ovulating. Humans have a hidden estrous cycle, how are men determining which women are ovulating?

I think there was a study or two that demonstrated that a woman's voice changes slightly at different points in her cycle...but IDK if it was a trustworthy study.

[Vene]

Oct 7, 2009 15:51:56 GMT -5 SimSim said:

The one thing that has me curios is the statement that men prefer women who are ovulating. Humans have a hidden estrous cycle, how are men determining which women are ovulating?

I don't know offhand, but since we're animals the answer is likely in the scent.

[SimSim]

I suspected phermones might be involved, but was hoping someone had a definitive answer.

[Lady Renae]

Oct 7, 2009 17:22:58 GMT -5 SimSim said:

No, it said that they are more likely to have weakened immune systems and decreased perceived health and attractiveness, not that they are actually less attractive.

Attractiveness is entirely perception-based, so what exactly is your point?

[SimSim]

Oct 7, 2009 18:33:47 GMT -5 Lady Renae said:

Oct 7, 2009 17:22:58 GMT -5 SimSim said:

No, it said that they are more likely to have weakened immune systems and decreased perceived health and attractiveness, not that they are actually less attractive.

Attractiveness is entirely perception-based, so what exactly is your point?

You used the word ugly in your first post, that to me refers to physical attractiveness. So that means the people would be ugly, and not that they would be thought of as ugly. That's why I emphasized perceived. It's not that they are ugly, but rather they are interperated as being ugly. Their looks don't change, only your perception of them.

[Paradox]

Vene, you medical types need to get on this. Find a way to make us all healthier. I think genes might be the key. Also, make me immortal please.

Thanks,
Paradox

[Vene]

Oct 8, 2009 13:29:47 GMT -5 Paradox said:

Vene, you medical types need to get on this. Find a way to make us all healthier. I think genes might be the key. Also, make me immortal please.

Thanks,
Paradox

I need income first, you supply that and the tools and I'll eagerly get to work.

[Amaranth]

Oct 7, 2009 17:38:36 GMT -5 DeadpanDoubter said:

Oct 7, 2009 15:51:56 GMT -5 SimSim said:

The one thing that has me curios is the statement that men prefer women who are ovulating. Humans have a hidden estrous cycle, how are men determining which women are ovulating?

I think there was a study or two that demonstrated that a woman's voice changes slightly at different points in her cycle...but IDK if it was a trustworthy study.

I don't know about voice, but there are certainly behavioural differences to consider.

[Ian1732]

I bet some fundy's gonna somehow turn this into an argument against evolution...

[wmdkitty]

Oct 9, 2009 13:16:42 GMT -5 Ian1732 said:

I bet some fundy's gonna somehow turn this into an argument against evolution...

More likely to be used as an argument for why contraception is "evil" and women are filthy filthy whores for even thinking about controlling their own bodies.

[DeadpanDoubter]

Oct 9, 2009 8:42:42 GMT -5 Amaranth said:

Oct 7, 2009 17:38:36 GMT -5 DeadpanDoubter said:

I think there was a study or two that demonstrated that a woman's voice changes slightly at different points in her cycle...but IDK if it was a trustworthy study.

I don't know about voice, but there are certainly behavioural differences to consider.

Why, Am, are you insinuating that PMS changes ladies' behaviors? I never! Well, actually, I do; I get all grouchy the week before the flood, and then I get all cuddly and girly the week after that.

My brothers think I'm just really badly bi-polar, though.