Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition Does the Birth Control Pill Change Who You're Attracted To? | Be Well Moments
Mar 9, 2026
Sarah Hill, social psychologist studying hormones and attraction, breaks down how estrogen, ovulation, and hormonal birth control shape partner preferences. She highlights shifts toward more masculine cues near ovulation, why testosterone may signal genetic quality, and research on how the pill can change attraction and sexual frequency. Short, evidence-focused, and thought-provoking.
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Estrogen Peaks Boost Preference For Masculinity
- Rising estrogen near ovulation increases women's preferences for facial, vocal, and behavioral masculinity.
- Sarah Hill explains this links to testosterone as a 'good genes' marker because high testosterone signals robust immune function during development.
Testosterone Signals Immune Robustness
- Testosterone acts as a measurable 'good genes' signal because it suppresses immune function, so only individuals with strong immunity can sustain high testosterone.
- Sarah Hill outlines the trade-off: high testosterone requires immune robustness since testosterone is immunomodulatory.
The Pill Shifts Attraction Toward Less Masculinity
- Combined research over 20–25 years finds women on hormonal birth control prefer slightly less masculinized male faces, voices, and behaviors.
- Sarah Hill notes this likely arises because the pill suppresses ovulation and blunts the peri-ovulatory estrogen surge that drives those preferences.