CNN scrapped a story on its website early Thursday morning that reported on a study purportedly showing that women's hormones impact their vote.
The post appeared on the website's health vertical and investigated how women's votes are based on ovulation. Women's ballot box choices are also influenced by their relationship status, the study argued.
Ovulating women, CNN reported, often cast a liberal-leaning vote because they "feel sexier."
The post, written by reporter Elizabeth Landau, was quickly removed, but was already aggregated onto other sites.
"While the campaigns eagerly pursue female voters, there's something that may raise the chances for both presidential candidates that's totally out of their control: women's ovulation cycles," the story reads. "You read that right. New research suggests that hormones may influence female voting choices differently, depending on whether a woman is single or in a committed relationship."
Landau noted the story's potential to spark controversy.
"Please continue reading with caution. Although the study will be published in the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Science, several political scientists who read the study have expressed skepticism about its conclusions," she wrote.
A link that once led readers to the post, now has been replaced by a correction.
"A post previously published in this space regarding a study about how hormones may influence voting choices has been removed," CNN wrote. "After further review it was determined that some elements of the story did not meet the editorial standards of CNN. We thank you for your comments and feedback."
