Women consistently outscore men with their sense of smell. A woman’s ability to smell depends on the level of hormones in her body. During ovulation, women are 10,000 times more sensitive to the scent of male hormones than during menstruation.
According to the Sense of Smell Institute, women consistently outscore men with their sense of smell. Interestingly, however, it has found that a woman’s ability to smell is dependent on the level of various hormones in her body. A woman’s sense of smell is heightened during the first half of her menstrual cycle and peaks when she is most fertile and sexually responsive.
Women, it seems, have sensitivity to scented sex hormones, or pheromones. During ovulation, women are 10,000 times more sensitive to the scent of male hormones than during menstruation.
Women sniff out the best mates via pheromones -- the undetectable scents that drive a range of reproductive behaviors. Humans have denser skin concentrations of the scent glands that release pheromones than almost any other mammal. As a result, pheromones are slinging at least some of Cupid's arrows
However, beware: studies have found that women on birth control pills experience hormonal changes that can interfere with this law of "scent attraction" -- leading to trouble picking the right partner and potential problems with infertility down the line. Once off the pill, some women may find they have a different "sense" about their mate.
Other studies have shown that aside from a woman’s monthly cycle, her gender alone also makes her more likely to have a sharper sense of smell as female babies have a keener sense of smell than their male cohorts. Studies conducted by Dr. Hilary Schmidt reveal genetic differences in babies’ responsiveness to scents appear to have their origins in infancy.
During her research, Dr. Schmidt noticed that female babies responded to scented rattles while male babies did not. However, her findings also show that male babies demonstrate a preference for pleasantly-scented rattles over those with an unpleasant scent while their female cohorts demonstrate an equal interest in both. Overall, scent—whether pleasant or unpleasant—piques the interest of female babies.
According to Dr. Schmidt’s research, children do not demonstrate adult-like preferences regarding odour in their environment until they begin to see their world through adult-like eyes. At this time they begin to show preferences for pleasant fragrances over unpleasant fragrances.
Interestingly, another study reveals that not all scents produce gender-specific responses, suggesting that sex differences in olfactory prowess may be scent-dependent. However, more research is needed in this area to conclude whether a woman’s menstrual cycle may play a determining factor in this occurrence. It may be that certain scents in studies done did not elicit gender-specific responses because its female subjects were menstruating.
Harnessing the Power of Scent for Enhanced Well-being
The power of scent is an often underestimated tool in influencing our emotions and behaviors. With the ability to trigger memories, control cravings, and even ignite sexuality, our sense of smell plays a crucial role in our overall quality of life. By understanding and utilizing the right fragrances, we can potentially shift our mood and improve our well-being.
Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 9
Researchers have only just begun to scratch the surface about how our sense of smell relates to our various moods. Studies show that eight major factors of mood—such as stress, depression, apathy, happiness, sensuality, relaxation and stimulation—can be affected by fragrances.
Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 7
Manufacturers and advertisers alike are often accused of over-exaggerating the effect that fragrances have on our sexuality, claiming that their fragrances will give its wearer the power to attract the opposite sex. Yet are these claims exaggerated?
