Abstract Chat-up lines act as male sexual displays in sexual selection (Cooper et al., 2007; Bale et al., 2006). Research has shown that there is an ovulatory cycle effect on preferences for many sexual displays (e.g. Gangestad et al., 2007; Gangestad et al., 2004; Haselton & Miller, 2006; Havlicek et al., 2005). The present study attempts to discover if the same ovulatory effects will be found for preference of sexually loaded chat-up lines. Participants were required to rate one set of chat-up lines at the fertile stage and then another set at the non-fertile stage of their cycle. The questionnaires were adapted from the Edinburgh University Chat-up Scale (ECUS) and were entitled ECUS 1 and ECUS 2. The key hypothesis is that when women are in the fertile stage of their menstrual cycle they will rate sexually loaded chat-up lines more highly than they would when they are at the non-fertile stage. Further hypotheses relating to humorous chat-up lines, relationship status, Dating Partner Preference Test scores and Sociosexuality Orientation Inventory scores were also investigated Within subjects analysis did not show a cyclical effect on chat-up line preference. A between subjects analysis, however, did show a significant preference for sexually loaded chat-up lines in fertile women over non-fertile women in ECUS 1 but not in ECUS 2. The findings of this study show some support for the central hypothesis. Significant evidence in support of it is strong and it is suggested that the non-significant results can be attributed to methodological shortcomings, especially in ECUS 2. However, further research is needed in order to reach definite conclusions in this area.