Study Shows Hitting on Hot Babes Can Be Extremely Stressful

Even worse, the stress induced from a relationship with a beautiful woman can cause impotence. What kind of closet cases are they using in these studies?

MEN who spend a mere five minutes trying to attract a beautiful woman can suffer so much stress that it damages their hearts, studies suggest.

And for men trying to get a beautiful stranger they view as out of their league, the risks are even higher - with cortisol levels rising so high that heart attacks and strokes become real possibilities, even if a date does not.

British newspaper The Mail on Sunday reported that the stress suffered by many would-be Romeos can be the equivalent of jumping from a plane.

The study, conducted by researchers at Spain's University of Valencia, involved 84 male students - who each paid £10 ($16) to take part.

Each man's cortisol level was measured before being left alone with an attractive but previously unknown woman, and then again after.

"In this study, we considered that for most men the presence of an attractive woman may induce the perception that there is an opportunity for courtship," the researchers said.

"This study showed that male cortisol levels increased after exposure to a five-minute, short social contact with a young attractive woman. It provides evidence that interpersonal interaction can influence the secretion of cortisol."

But for men who get the girl, the stark reality is even worse. The study claimed that long-term relationship stress can cause "chronic" levels of cortisol, leading to - ironically - impotence.

"That can have adverse effects on health as it worsens various disorders, such as myopathy, adult-onset diabetes, hypertension and impotency," the research team said.