Pheromones in Humans: Menstrual Cycle Synchronization
Pheromones in Humans: Menstrual Cycle Synchronization
A chemical that is secreted by an animal to influence the behavior of other animals in the same species is called a pheromone. Hormone levels and behavior are affected by these chemicals. Pheromones function in a similar way with humans.
There was a study on how pheromones affect a women's menstrual cycle and if one female's cycle can coordinate to another female's cycle through the undetected smell of these pheromones. In the study, sweat was collected at different times from women who were exposed to other women who were menstruating.
The results showed that the menstrual cycles of the study group's participants were affected depending on the time when the sweat was collected. The length of the menstrual cycle appeared to be affected by the pheromones. The study also showed that there are two pheromones that affect the menstrual length; one chemical for shortening and the other for lengthening the period of the cycle.
The male's armpit is also believed to secrete pheromones. Females who are on their menstrual period, when exposed to men's armpit sweat will have a normal cycle. Endocrine balance in females is affected by high cortisol levels that are present in androstadienone, a substance that can be found in male sweat. Certain chemicals that are included in a girl's perfume can affect intimacy in the opposite sex. However, there are more recent studies which show that the methods used in the aforementioned study were flawed.
These pheromones or scent signals can cause attraction and help in finding a mate. Studies have supported this with a study between a heterosexual and homosexual male. Results show that the brain's response between the two is different when exposed to the stimulus.
The homosexual male's response is the same as with a heterosexual female, and the homosexual female's response is the same as a heterosexual male. This further strengthens the belief that sexual arousal and sexual orientation is affected by pheromones. Pheromones help in attracting a mate, that is why some perfumes are made with pheromones, as it is believed that the addition of these chemicals will function as an aphrodisiac. Pheromones Go Into Swing When You Reach Puberty.
According to the study, women's pheromones can affect the menstrual cycles of other women with whom they live or work - so that eventually they menstruate together. Thanks to pheromones, birth control may be only a sniff away. Scientists are currently working on an alternative birth control, by developing nasal sprays that regulate the menstrual cycle.
Because scent plays such an important role in the "mating game", many elderly people find that they've lost their appetite for sex - due to the fact that their ability to perceive smell decreases as they age. After menopause or a hysterectomy, a woman's ability to detect odors declines, unless she is taking hormones.
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