280: Sarah Hill | This Is Your Brain on Birth Control

Fertility Cues

The discussion on fertility cues highlights how biological signals of fertility influence social interactions. Sarah Hill explains that men are subconsciously attuned to cues of estrogen and fertility, finding women more desirable during high fertility phases 1. This desirability is not limited to physical appearance but extends to attributes like voice and scent. Interestingly, Hill shares an anecdote about vocal coaches noticing that birth control pills, which suppress estrogen, can affect a woman's ability to hit high notes, illustrating the pervasive impact of hormonal changes 1.

Women's voices are influenced by estrogen presence, and they do get a little bit higher at high fertility compared to low fertility in the cycle.

--- Sarah Hill

These insights underscore the complex interplay between hormones and social perceptions.

   

Attraction Signals

Attraction signals are significantly influenced by hormonal changes, affecting how women perceive potential partners. Hill notes that during high fertility, women are more attuned to masculine cues such as deep voices and broad shoulders, which are linked to testosterone and perceived genetic quality 2. This preference diminishes when estrogen is no longer the dominant hormone. Additionally, Hill discusses a study on exotic dancers, revealing that naturally cycling women earn more tips during high fertility phases, suggesting men are more responsive to fertility cues 3.

Estrogen levels predict the testosterone levels that women prefer in men, showing that estrogen really likes these manly cues in men.

--- Sarah Hill

These findings illustrate the subtle yet profound ways hormonal fluctuations shape social and partner interactions.