[andreasvc]

I think that depends very much on the set of goals that are considered as 'optimal'. which is a matter of definition. I would say that for constraints such as robustness and adaptability to the environment the current situation is likely close to 'optimal'.

[Retric]

"By eight months, the foetus spends an estimated 25 per cent of its daily protein intake on manufacturing these hormonal messages to its mother" That's a lot of energy. Further, human mothers have a high chance of death from natural childbirth compared to most mammals.

Further the energy costs, pain, and suffering from monthy periods has a lot to do with the conflict, wolves for example don't suffer nearly as much.

Realistically it's at best a local optima, but robustness and adaptability are hindered but such inefficiency.

[markburns]

Inefficient on an individual level, but the adaptability and robustness is more on a species level. It's probably pretty efficient in that regard.

A high risk, high reward strategy that works out well for humans that survive and end up with large brains, but terrible for certain individuals for the reasons previously outlined.