As Job stated, "the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord". The Lord commanded the saints to live this law and uphold it, even at the risk of their own lives. I doubt it had much to do with more women than men. From 1862 to 1890, the saints obeyed God rather than man. They were willing to sacrifice everything to obey his law. Many went to prison. President Taylor died in hiding. However, when the Lord revealed to his anointed that their sacrifice was enough, then the practice was discontinued. It is an everlasting principle (Doctrine & Covenants 132) that has been rescinded until further notice.