If KowDheh can jump in the thread (as a male) I can too right? It's only fair I get a shot too.
The 72 number might not be from a "strong hadith", like everybody was quick to point out. Doesn't change the fact that in the Quran, heavenly female companions (plural!) are mentioned in at least 8 surahs from my count. Surahs 37, 38, 44, 52, 55, 56, and 78. That's 7% of all chapters! All verses include some variation of these descriptions: fair, beautiful, large-eyed, full-breasted, who limit their glances (shyness), and are untouched by both men & jinns (those sneaky jinns need to back off!).
I found the repetition to be quite odd to say the least.
You're right about the hooris being used as a threat of some sort, some hadiths are straight up disrespectful to dunya women. Like this one:
Houris do not want wives to annoy their husbands, since the houris will also be the spouses [i.e. wives] of the Muslim husbands in the afterlife; ---"Mu’adh b. Jobal (R.A.) reported that Allah’s Messenger (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said, ‘A woman does not annoy her husband but his spouse from amongst the houris (maidens with wide eyes, intensely white and deeply black irises) will say: Do not annoy him, may Allah ruin you." He is with you as a passing guest. Very soon, he will part with you and come to us.’" [Ibn-i-Majah vol.3:2014 p.212]
I see the lame excuses on this thread are not working for you, rightly so. Considering you are still religious I hope you find a reasonable explanation that works, though I wouldn't count on it. Keep ya head up.