Can a man smell when a woman is most fertile? (2024)

They say that to fall in love, a couple has to like the smell of each other, but can a man really “smell” a woman’s most fertile days?

Can a man smell when a woman is most fertile? (1)

When you cuddle up close to your partner in bed at night, sometimes you notice that they just smell so good – and by that we don’t mean perfume or aftershave but rather their natural scent. Musky and masculine or fresh and feminine. It is said that the human body produces chemical signals, called pheromones and these scents affect how one person perceives another and how they react to them.

This evolutionary trick even goes a step further when it comes to choosing a partner with which to have children. Studies suggest that another person’s smell is subconsciously decisive when selecting a partner with whom you want to start a family.

How estrogen causes changes in a woman’s scent.

According to swiss scientists the female hormone estrogen influences the scent of a woman. Estrogen production increases during the fertile window in order to stimulate ovulation. The altered hormone levels are reflected in the woman’s body odor.

The fact that women smell more attractive to men on their fertile days, was proven by a study at the University of Berne. The 28 women and 57 men involved in the study had to follow a very strict protocol: They were not allowed to use hormonal contraception, wash themselves with perfumed shower gel or sleep in a bed with another person. In addition, the women had to stick cotton wool pads under their arms, which absorbed their scent and were then “presented” to the men. Blood samples were taken to establish where they were in their menstrual cycles.

The result: women who were close to ovulation were perceived to smell more attractive to the men. The higher the estrogen levels in the women’s blood, the better the scent was judged to be. There are purely evolutionary reasons for this: our animal instincts to procreate. This attractive scent is nature’s way of letting men know that a woman is fertile and ready to reproduce.

Interestingly, the study also showed that the genetic factor (her personal smell) does not pay a major role in a man’s choice of partner. We have always heard that your partners smell is decisive because you are intuitively assessing their genetic compatibility and health – whether they would be a good reproductive partner. The results of the Swiss study however, showed that the men did not judge the attractiveness of the women by their smell per se, but rather by their hormone status, reveled by their smell at that time. So, a woman’s personal body scent might not play a major role for a man when choosing a partner, but it certainly does when it comes to “taking advantage” of ovulation and of passing on his genes. Basically, ovulation beats genetics!

Can a man smell when a woman is most fertile? (4)

Artificial hormones and a women’s scent.

So, why were the women not allowed to use hormonal contraception? It is thought that the pill and other hormonal contraceptives can falsify a woman’s personal smell. This is understandable, because most pills contain an artificial form of the hormone progesterone, which permanently prevents ovulation. Progesterone is the dominant hormone in the second half of a woman’s cycle, after ovulation. At the same time the pill keeps the estrogen levels permanently low. Too much progesterone and too little estrogen: the male volunteers in the swiss trial did not find this combination to be particularly attractive either by the way!

Have you ever heard the theory that women who are on the pill often choose the “wrong partner” – and when they stop taking the pill, they can’t bear the smell of them? It sounds very far-fetched, and in fact, while studies have shown a slight link, the evidence is simply too sketchy to reach a definitive verdict. So, don’t worry; your relationship is not doomed to failure just because you are using hormonal contraception.

And what about during your period?

Previous studies have shown that a woman’s body odor is strongest during menstruation and that men who are particularly sensitive to smells can even detect this change in her scent. But this is the exception rather than the rule and of course we are talking about a woman’s scent which has nothing to do with personal hygiene or body odor in that sense. It is a very subtle chemical signal which hints at whether you are currently fertile or not.

The influence your hormones have on your body is truly amazing! However, relying on your partners sense of smell to identify when you are most likely to get pregnant might not be such a great idea; it is after all entirely subconscious. We would recommend you use femSense to identify your most fertile days. The sensor in the femSense patch uses another signal from your body to tell you that you are ovulating – a rise in body temperature. That way you will know exactly where you are in your cycle without your partner having to sniff it out 😉.

Can a man smell when a woman is most fertile? (5)

Sources:

https://www.unibe.ch/aktuell/medien/media_relations/medienmitteilungen/2018/medienmitteilungen_2018/immer_der_nase_nach_bestimmte_frauen_sind_fuer_maenner_besonders_dufte/index_ger.html

https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/article2521901/Der-betoerende-Duft-des-Immunsystems.html

https://www.medizin-transparent.at/falsche-partner-wahl-durch-die-pille/

Can a man smell when a woman is most fertile? (2024)

FAQs

Can a man sense when a woman is fertile? ›

Yes, it is true. In fact, a man can smell when a woman is ovulating thanks to something called “female pheromones”, in combination with the role of testosterone. Olfactory clues from women who are on their ovulatory phase (i.e. their most fertile time) can make men more willing to have intercourse with them.

Can guys smell fertility? ›

Males are more attracted to the body odours of females who produce high amounts of oestrogen, claims study. Men may be able to smell how fertile a woman is, research suggests.

Does fertility have a smell? ›

Estrogen production increases during the fertile window in order to stimulate ovulation. The altered hormone levels are reflected in the woman's body odor. The fact that women smell more attractive to men on their fertile days, was proven by a study at the University of Berne.

Can guys smell female hormones? ›

Some bodily smells are pleasant. And new research suggests they might appeal to more than our noses. Straight men find the smell of women's reproductive hormones attractive, scientists report today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The discovery suggests women's body odor is a cue for fertility.

How do men know if your fertile? ›

A trained expert checks your sperm count, their shape, movement, and other characteristics. In general, if you have a higher number of normal-shaped sperm, it means you have higher fertility. But there are plenty of exceptions to this. A lot of guys with low sperm counts or abnormal sem*n are still fertile.

Are men more attracted to you when fertile? ›

Multiple studies have concluded that men find women more attractive during ovulation. This is the one time a month that the ovaries release an egg ready for fertilization. So it's the time when women are most fertile, and men seem to be biologically programmed to pick up on that.

How can a woman tell if she is fertile? ›

When you know your average menstrual cycle length, you can work out when you ovulate. Ovulation happens about 14 days before your period starts. If your average menstrual cycle is 28 days, you ovulate around day 14, and your most fertile days are days 12, 13 and 14.

What do women's pheromones smell like? ›

The compound androstenone can induce many reactions, depending on who is on the receiving end. For some, it smells sweet, like flowers or vanilla; to others it is foul, like sweat or urine. And then there are those who can't smell it at all.

What kind of smell does sperm have? ›

sem*n normally smells like ammonia, bleach, or chlorine. sem*n is about 1 percent sperm and 99 percent other compounds, enzymes, proteins, and minerals. Many of these substances are alkaline. This means that they're above a 7 on the pH scale, which is measured from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline).

Do you smell stronger when ovulating? ›

One of the signs that ovulation is imminent is a heightened sense of smell. For many women, smell becomes more sensitive during the latter half of their normal menstrual cycle.

Does ovulation give off a smell? ›

In summary, women in the ovulatory phase emit odours that increase testosterone levels and decrease cortisol levels in men; such functional odours are emitted from women's chests and backs.

What smell do guys like on a girl? ›

Fragrant Notes That Men Love on Women

On the other hand, light florals such as jasmine and lavender with fresh citrusy scents are captivating as expected and these scents can easily strike men's attention. Meanwhile, musk and sandalwood are also popular fragrant notes that men find seductive.

What scent causes arousal in men? ›

Aphrodisiac scents include pumpkin, lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, peppermint, and ginger. Despite some skepticism around the use of aphrodisiacs, studies show that many of these aromas do work — they can be easily incorporated into anyone's fragrance routine.

Are guys more attracted to you on your period? ›

New European research has found that although women's menstrual cycles don't affect which men they are attracted to, as previously thought, women do appear to find all men slightly more attractive when in the fertile stage of their cycle.

What is the natural scent of a woman called? ›

The study suggests the human body produces chemical signals, called pheromones. And these scents affect how one person perceives another. Scientists have demonstrated the effects of pheromones in a whole range of animals, including insects, rodents, squid and reptiles. But whether people make them has been less clear.

How do I know if my boyfriend isn't fertile? ›

Signs and symptoms you may notice include: Problems with sexual function — for example, difficulty with ejacul*tion or small volumes of fluid ejacul*ted, reduced sexual desire, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction) Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicl* area. Recurrent respiratory infections.

How do you know if a man isn't fertile? ›

Blood, urine, and imaging tests can be done to discover why you are having trouble getting pregnant. A sperm analysis can be done to check a man's sperm count and the overall health of the sperm. Your doctor may refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist. That's a doctor who specializes in infertility.

How do you know if your fertility is high? ›

Super fertility has been classified as a monthly fecundity (the ability to get pregnant) rate of 60% or greater. A regular menstrual cycle and high antral follicle count are signs of high fertility. Perimenopause, fibroids, and endometriosis can make conceiving and sustaining pregnancy more difficult.

What scents are men attracted to? ›

  • Pumpkin Pie + Lavender. The scent of pumpkin pie (especially when combined with the smell of lavender) increased arousal in 40 percent of men. ...
  • Jasmine. Dr. ...
  • Black Licorice. ...
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Vanilla. ...
  • Banana Nut Bread. ...
  • Citrus.

What are the most seductive scents? ›

These are the 8 aphrodisiac fragrances to set a sexy mood according to experts
  • Pumpkin - Paco Rabanne Fabulous Me. ...
  • Cinnamon - Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eau De Parfum Spray. ...
  • Champaca - J'adore Dior Eau De Parfum. ...
  • Vanilla - Guerlain Shalimar Eau De Parfum. ...
  • Lavender - Tom Ford Lavender Extreme Eau De Parfum.
17 Jul 2022

Where do women's pheromones come out? ›

Pheromones from a woman may be secreted in a number of different places, including her sweat, urine, saliva, and breast milk. For men, their human pheromone can be found in sweat, pectoral secretions, and urine.

What does pineapple do to your sperm? ›

While many people might recommend gulping down a few glasses of pineapple juice before oral sex for sweeter sperm, that juice probably does nothing at all. While not much research has been done on the subject, the composition of sperm does not change dramatically, clinical sexologist Lawrence Siegel told Elite Daily.

Why does sperm go watery after? ›

A man might have watery sem*n if he doesn't get enough zinc in his diet. Zinc is an important nutrient for sperm production. Men who ejacul*te several times a day might also develop watery sem*n, since the body needs time to “catch up” on its sem*n production.

Can sperm inside you cause a smell? ›

Anything that gets in there can alter your pH levels and affect how you smell. If you have P-in-V sex, sem*n — which is alkaline and the opposite of your vagin*'s acidic environment — can temporarily change your smell.

Can a woman's menstrual cycle affect a man? ›

Although men will not bleed, nor will they experience all of the same symptoms as women, these hormonal shifts can have some pretty notable side effects, especially with mood and irritability.

How can men smell when a woman is turned on? ›

Men can smell when a woman is turned on because of the aroma of her sweat — and they like it, according to a new study. Dudes were asked to rate women's aromas — swabbed during various states of arousal — from hot to not, in order to determine the sexiest scent, during research conducted by Arnaud Wisman, Ph.

What does good girl smell like? ›

The sweet, breathtaking and alluring qualities of Jasmine, bring Good Girl a bright of femininity. The Good Girl's mysterious side is express with richly fragrant Cocoa, an exciting Tonka while Almond and Coffee bring notes of bold vibrancy.

What do men find seductive? ›

74% of men indicated that they notice women because of their hair and 44% of men surveyed said that hair is the first thing they notice about a woman, more than her clothes (26%), legs (25%), or makeup (4%).”

Do you look prettier on your period? ›

Rather than facial symmetry changing, they suggest, women could appear more attractive at certain times of their cycle because of changes in their skin tone. "The changes in attractiveness judgements found in some of the previous studies might also be a by-product of changes in hormonal levels," the authors suggest.

Why does skin glow during periods? ›

"When estrogen peaks during the days right after a woman's period, and leading up to ovulation, the cells in the skin are stimulated to make more of these elements, resulting in a clear, glowing complexion. During this week, estrogen not only stimulates a glow but also keeps testosterone in check by shrinking pores.

What is seductive smell? ›

Vanilla and amber scents, spicy shades or balsamic notes are all ingredients that invite seduction. Chypre perfumes intrigue as much as they fascinate with their almost erotic freshness. Bewitching white flowers such as tuberose or ylang-ylang embody the femme fatale, while gourmand notes make you salivate.

Do humans have a mating scent? ›

That's because the body's secretions, some stinky and others below the threshold your nose can detect, may be rife with chemical messages called pheromones. Yet despite half a century of research into these subtle cues, we have yet to find direct evidence of their existence in humans.

What scent turns a girl on the most? ›

Learn which scents attract women the most. From spicy scents to florals, ladies love a good-smelling guy. There is no denying the power—or the desirability—of a good-smelling man.
...
Read on for the top scents that will attract women like flies to honey.
  • Vanilla. ...
  • Peppermint. ...
  • Sandalwood. ...
  • Pastries and Coffee. ...
  • Lavender. ...
  • Cinnamon.
4 May 2020

How can a woman tell when she is fertile? ›

the length of your menstrual cycle – ovulation usually occurs around 12 to 16 days before your period starts, so you may be able to work out when you're likely to ovulate if you have a regular cycle. your cervical mucus – you may notice wetter, clearer and more slippery mucus around the time of ovulation.

Does heavy period mean more fertile? ›

Having an unusually heavy period could affect your fertility, even if your period is still regular. Many possible underlying causes of very heavy periods are things that could lead to an inability to get pregnant or sustain a healthy pregnancy.

How do you feel when most fertile? ›

Your basal body temperature falls slightly, then rises again. Your cervical mucus becomes clearer and thinner with a more slippery consistency similar to that of egg whites. Your cervix softens and opens up. You may feel a slight twinge of pain or mild cramps in your lower abdomen.

What happens during a woman's fertile days? ›

Ovulation usually happens between days 11 and 21 of your cycle. A hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) surges, triggering the release of the egg that's most ripe. At the same time, your cervical mucus becomes more slippery to help sperm make their way to the egg.

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