Hormonal Contraceptives and Women’s Mate-Value-Related Traits and Outcomes

Abstract

People’s perceptions of their mate value—a compilation of characteristics that are desirable to potential partners—functionally guide their mating behaviors. Hormonal contraceptives alter the hormonal profiles linked to some characteristics underlying women’s mate value (e.g., fertility, sociality, potential parenting ability). Thus, relative to naturally cycling women, women using hormonal contraceptives may perceive such characteristics more negatively (due to suppressed fertility) or positively (due to possible bolstered sociality and/or potential parenting ability). The purpose of this research was to test these competing possibilities. Study 1a and 1b utilized samples of single, undergraduate women and newly married women, respectively, to test the association between hormonal contraceptive use and a commonly used proxy for self-perceived mate value—self-perceived mating success. Study1b additionally tested whether the association emerged independently of sexual frequency. Study 2 tested the robustness of the observed association, using a larger sample of single women and a measure assessing perceived characteristics underlying mate value rather than perceived mating success. We then conducted a mini-meta-analysis to estimate the average effect size for all relevant effect sizes available to date. Across studies, women using hormonal contraceptives rated mate-value-relevant traits and outcomes more positively than naturally cycling women. This association is not due to sexual motives or sexual behaviors. The current research adds to a growing literature revealing differences in mating and relationship psychology between women who do versus do not use hormonal contraceptives.