Cycle-logical

In the animal kingdom, fertile females will alert their male counterparts when it's time to get busy — my favorite being the female baboon who sports a swollen bright pink ass when it's time for her to mate. Human females, on the other hand, don't give off any special odors or signs — or do we?

I've read a number of studies that show us females have a tendency to dress more flashy and be more flirtatious when we're at our most fertile (generally 12-14 days after the first day of our periods). And now, a recent study out of the University of New Mexico asserts this behavior could have fiscal consequences.

Psychologist Geoffery Miller and a team of colleagues compared the tips strippers made from lap dances throughout their cycles and found that the women made about $70 an hour when at their most fertile — versus only $35 an hour while menstruating and $50 in between. Further, women on the pill made less on average than those not on the pill, as the pill dulls the body's natural responses to the cycle (which is just fine with me if it prevents me from having period cramps and a bun in the oven).

Who knows? This could be valuable information if you're a non-pill-using female in any sort of sales position — perhaps try making your biggest appointments for your most fertile time. If you're meeting with a heterosexual male decision-maker, it could mean a bigger bonus for you. Is that ethically bankrupt? I don't think so. I think we should exploit whatever natural talents we have to get what we want. What do you think? Leave a comment (you can leave one anonymously — just make up a clever name and skip the email field).

MM