I think the issue is that women are less likely to compromise, while simultaneously overestimating their own value.
And if they do compromise, PUA gurus will shame the guys and tell them the women don't really desire them because they aren't their first choice. To which I ask, really, who of us gets their first choice? I look back, and I am thankful that I didn't get my first choice, because I'm sure it would not been a very pleasant existence.
I don't think it's necessarily overestimating their own value, I think a lot has to do with them thinking, or maybe hoping even?, that the same higher SMV man who will treat them as a fvck toy and is only interested in banging them without any commitment will be the same guy they can get for an LTR.
Whether it's delusion or just them holding onto the hope of that dream for longer than is warranted based on reality, it doesn't really matter because the end result is the same...they keep getting pumped and dumped by the guys they want but never actually can get one of them to commit long term. Then eventually they realize it's not going to happen, so they "settle" for something lower who will give them what they want.
Some might be perfectly happy with this...but many are happy for a while or at least they logically try to talk themselves into it but after 5-7 years they can no longer overlook their feelings that they settled and that this isn't the man they actually want. Which is why so many divorced happen after 5-10 years, most initiated by women.