They say scent is an important factor when it comes to first impressions.
And it has long been believed that women smell more “attractive” to men at times when they are most likely to conceive a baby.
But the scent of a ‘fertile woman’ is a myth, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of Leipzig recruited 91 men to evaluate the odors of 29 women aged between 20 and 30.
All women were vegetarian or vegan, did not smoke, and had not taken any hormonal contraceptive method during the previous six months.
It has long been believed that women smell more “attractive” to men at times when they are most likely to conceive a baby. But the “fertile woman” scent is a myth, according to a new study.
They were scent-tested using cotton pads placed under their armpits at different stages of their menstrual cycle, and the men were asked to rate the odors according to their attractiveness, pleasantness and intensity.
Previously, it was believed that men would rate the scent as more attractive if they took it during the peak of ovulatory fertility (the day before ovulation and the day ovulation occurs).
This is the time when a woman is most likely to get pregnant.
However, the study found no link between attractiveness ratings and fertility.
Meanwhile, further chemical analysis suggested that there was no difference in the chemical composition of the scent of fertile women.
In a paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the team said: ‘Human mate choice decisions are based on the quality of potential mates and therefore on judgements of aspects of their physical attractiveness.
‘It has even been suggested that subtle changes in a woman’s physical appearance provide information about her current fertile status, such as facial or vocal changes.
‘Similarly, it has been suggested that subtle changes in body odor convey information about women’s fertility.’
They concluded: ‘Our results revealed no evidence that men’s attraction to women’s body odor is positively predicted by female fertility.
‘Moreover, the chemical composition of a woman’s axillary odor was not affected by her current fertility status or fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones.’
Previous research by experts at the University of Bern in Switzerland suggested that women at the most fertile point of their menstrual cycle release reproductive hormones that make them smell more attractive.
A total of 28 women donated their body odor, which was then rated from 0 to 100 by 57 men. Their hormone levels were determined using saliva samples.
Women with high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone (an indicator of fertility) were consistently rated as smelling better.
Meanwhile, a separate study, published in 2016, suggested that women who are at their most fertile also become more attractive to other women, which is difficult to explain from an evolutionary point of view.