The attractiveness of female body odor is complex and depends on various factors, including the menstrual cycle and individual preferences. While not universally appealing, studies suggest a connection between body odor and attraction.
The Influence of the Menstrual Cycle
It's widely accepted that men often find the scent of women more attractive during their most fertile period (late follicular phase). Research indicates men rate the body odor of women's clothing worn during this phase as more pleasant and sexy than that worn during less fertile periods.[1, 2, 3, 9, 10] This suggests a potential evolutionary basis for odor-based attraction linked to fertility.
Individual Preferences and Other Factors
However, individual preferences play a significant role. What one person finds attractive, another may not. Factors such as diet, hygiene practices, and genetics also influence body odor, further impacting its perceived attractiveness.[7] The use of fragrances can significantly alter perceptions, leading to higher attractiveness ratings.[7] Furthermore, facial attractiveness can influence the preference for a woman's body odor, although this doesn't extend to men in the same way.[8]
Summary of Findings:
- Menstrual Cycle: Body odor is often perceived as more attractive during a woman's most fertile phase.
- Individual Preferences: Attraction is subjective and varies greatly between individuals.
- Other Factors: Diet, hygiene, genetics, and fragrance use all impact odor and its perceived attractiveness.
References:
[1] It is widely accepted that men prefer the scent of women in her most fertile period.
[2] Attractiveness of women's body odors over the menstrual cycle: the role of oral contraceptives and receiver sex. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arh050
[3] The scent of attractiveness: levels of reproductive hormones explain variation in women's body odor attractiveness. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.1520
[7] Do humans agree on which body odors are attractive, similar to the major histocompatibility complex? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090513823000156
[8] Major histocompatibility complex genes, symmetry, and body scent attractiveness in humans. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arg043
[9] Why single people smell different. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210621-why-single-people-smell-different
[10] Body odor attractiveness as a cue of impending ovulation in women: evidence from the menstrual cycle. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22137971/
