Pheromones send strong man-attracting signals
5 April 2002
Pheromones can more than triple a woman's chances of attracting a man, a US study has found.
Just a few dabs of perfume laced with synthetic pheromones is enough to be sexually alluring, researchers wrote in Physiology and Behavior (2002; 75: 367-42).
A total of 36 women aged 19-48 were involved in the 14-week study, the first to independently test a sex attractant pheromone for women.
Nineteen women wore pheromones with their regular perfume, 17 wore fragrances containing a placebo (a dummy scent).
Some 74 per cent of those in the pheromone group experienced an increase in 3 or more sociosexual behaviours compared to only 23 per cent of those using the placebo.
These behaviours include kissing, heavy petting and affection, sexual intercourse, sleeping next to their partner and formal dates with men.
Significant results were experienced after one menstrual cycle and the effects were increased during the second cycle.
'This is a biological signal to a man that suggests that this woman can reproduce,' said researcher and San Francisco State University psychology professor Norma McCoy.
There were no significant differences between the pheromone and placebo groups in the numbers of informal dates, the number of times a man approached the woman, or masturbation.
Last Reviewed: 12 April 2002
- Medical Observer Weekly 05/04/02
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