Women’s preference for dominant male odour: effects of mentrual cycle and relationship status

Abstract

The scent of the human body can provide important clues about the genetic quality of a potential sexual partner, reproductive status, and health. Among animals, the main criterion is male dominance, but this has not been investigated in humans to date. Here, we demonstrate that women in the fertile days of their cycle prefer the scent of men’s bodies who scored highest on a questionnaire assessing dominance. According to the theory of mixed mating strategies, these preferences vary depending on the type of relationship, being stronger in fertile women in stable relationships than in fertile single women.

Summary of the Study by SinglePheromones.com:

The attractiveness of a man’s body odor is correlated with the degree of his dominance. The attractiveness of men’s body odor depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle and whether the woman is in a committed relationship. Women in a stable relationship prefer dominant men during fertile days. Such a preference is not observed in single women or women who are not in the fertile phase.