Pheromones are chemical signals secreted through sweat glands, urine, tears, breath, saliva, and skin cells that can elicit responses from potential mates. They are species specific and play important roles in animal communication, sexual behavior, and social interactions. In humans, they can affect emotions, hormone levels, body temperature regulation, and fertility.
The most famous study about human pheromones was conducted by Dr. Martha McClintock in the early 1990s. She found that women's menstrual cycles synchronize when housed together because of pheromonal attraction. When exposed to female sweat, ovulating women menstruated earlier than others. This effect was stronger during the fertile phase of their cycle, suggesting that some pheromonal components increase receptivity to male odors.
This has been challenged and replicated inconsistently. Other studies suggest that pheromones may have different effects across menstrual cycles, depending on whether a woman is taking contraception or pregnant.
The levels of androstenol and estratetraenol, two compounds associated with sex appeal and fertility, vary throughout the month. Estrogen peaks at mid-cycle, so the higher it is, the more attractive women find males. But progesterone decreases after ovulation, making them less receptive to sexual stimuli.
Another key factor is the perceiver's own hormonal status. Women's preferences for masculinity change over their cycle; they prefer masculine features (e.g., facial symmetry) around ovulation, but feminine ones (e.g., small waists) nearest menses. Male perception also changes according to testosterone levels. Males tend to be more attractive to females when their hormones rise, especially during peak testosterone production at puberty and during the mid-luteal phase of the cycle.
Pheromonal attraction can affect other social interactions, such as workplace performance and parenting behavior. Pheromones secreted by babies are thought to influence maternal responsiveness and bonding. Androgens in fathers affect offspring development, including gender identity and behavior. The interaction between these pheromones creates complex patterns that may help explain why some people are better parents than others.
The study of pheromones has revealed fascinating insights into how humans communicate and interact socially. While there is still much to learn about this area, research suggests that pheromones play an important role in mate choice, reproduction, and child development. They suggest that our bodies are constantly sending and receiving signals that shape our relationships with others.
How does pheromonal attraction differ across menstrual cycles?
Phylogenetically, human beings are believed to have been equipped with pheromones since their earliest beginnings as mammals. Researchers believe that these odorless compounds play a significant role in sexual attraction because they influence physiological and psychological reactions among individuals of different genders.