According to a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, the only time women are more attracted to masculine men is during ovulation, Medical News Today reported.

The findings suggest that genetic evolution may be the reason behind the need to choose more masculine men when ovulating.

The female participants of the study were asked to smell a range of T-shirts that had been worn by men with different degrees of body and facial symmetry.

The results showed that during ovulation in the menstrual cycle, the female participants chose T-shirts worn by men who were more symmetrical.

The authors stated that since facial and body symmetries are linked with better health, large bodies and prominent sexual characteristics, during ovulation women may prefer those who are genetically superior.

By Ha Ji-won, Intern reporter (jiwonha@heraldcorp.com)