I have heterosexual female friends that have strict preferences on taller males.

That describes most women. I have only dated women with a "strict preference" for taller men, it just doesn't mean the end all. I have a strict preference for money, it doesn't mean I judge myself or others on their wealth.

I don’t know where you live but 5’10 women with 5’7 women is not common.

It's not common, but it happens enough. There are enough short dudes with taller gf to prove 5'8 is an exteemely weak excuse for suffering in the dating world. Imagine if you struggled with one thing and blamed it on something that isn't the true cause. It's shooting yourself in the foot. I've known guys who are total assholes- and they blame their height