According to The Journal of Sexual Medicine, shorter men have more sex than their taller counterparts. More specifically, in a study with 531 heterosexual guys, "coital frequency was higher among men with a height of less than 175cm" (just under 5'9").

This seems to go against everything we have (perhaps unconsciously) learned about stature and men: That height is a genetic indicator of physical fitness and, therefore, attractiveness. That many women, dreading the idea of towering over their date while wearing heels, reflexively shirk from men of equal or lesser stature. That "tall, dark, and handsome" is the ideal.

If you're like most men, your next thought is: Ok, but why? I asked a few friends.

Justin, a 5'7" consultant, believes it's a Napoleonic overcompensation. "I used to (and still do) get made fun of for being short all the time. As a result, shorter men look for ways to affirm their manhood through different means," says the 23-year-old. "Some men may buy big cars, expensive clothes, or have more sexual partners. Sex is the ultimate affirmation of manliness, and for many self-conscious short men, there is probably a strong association with the amount of sex one is having with one's personal view of their manhood."

Dave, who is 5'5" and dating a taller woman, gives himself a bit more credit. "I think I'm generally more confident than my taller peers. And since I can't rely on a silly immaterial thing like height to help me, I can lean into more substantive things about me and about her," the 25-year-old medical student says. "Like our minds. And a sense of humor. And what we love in the world. Engaging with a person on those fronts will get you intimate faster than a passive physical feature."

And ultimately, as Dave points out, "when you're horizontal, there's only a couple of places the inches count."

This article originally appeared on details.com.