I would beat the shit out of a woman without hesitation if she hit one of my sisters or the girl I love or something like that first. Also, when my sister goes back to her old school if any of the girls that used to bully her give her trouble I'll deal with them all. But in general no, men shouldn't hit women.
If a women, as you were saying, would lash her fists after me with full force, I wouldn't hit back. But I would lock her arms and "gently" put her to the ground, trying to convince her that violence won't help her a bit. Mostly, girls just don't seem to realize that men just are stronger. I'm not bragging or playing cool, we are just stronger. They're prettier, we're stronger - that's it.
So no, I wouldn't hit her - even if she attacked me. I would only lock her arms so she couldn't cause any more damage to me, or anyone else.
In self defense, yes i would beat a bitches @ss or if it was a guy who had a sex change to a woman then id whop a man-bitches @ss...
But no not really unless i had to like if it was a life or death situation or if it depended on me getting layed or getting money, but if its not my birthday i dont think I'll be getting payed or layed...so no.