$Unique_ID{BRK01662}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{Use of Hormones and Pheromones to Attract the Opposite Sex}
$Subject{hormones attraction sexual}
$Volume{Q-23, Q-22}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Use of Hormones and Pheromones to Attract the Opposite Sex


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QUESTION:  My girl friend sent me an ad she says would help me attract the man
of my dreams.  It is for a perfume that contains a sexy smelly hormone that is
supposed to be very attractive to men.  Do you know anything about this and do
you think it would work?

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ANSWER:  Probably not. . . unless someone just genuinely liked the smell of 
the fragrance.  Perfume manufacturers have been known to add hormone-like 
substances called pheromones to their products, and then claim it will help 
attract the opposite sex.  Researchers have found that in some animals, 
pheromones attract the opposite sex, but it just doesn't work in humans.
     Female silk moths release a pheromone that sexually attracts male silk
moths and causes the male to fly to the female.  Researchers have also found
that female rhesus monkeys have vaginal secretions that contain a chemical
which attracts male monkeys.  There have been a number of studies of
pheromones in humans, but there is little evidence, if any, that they work to
attract men to women.
     The research has found that human female pheromones can make women's
menstrual cycles synchronize.  Certain male odors have been found to influence
menstrual cycles too.
     But sexual attraction because of hormones and pheromones has not yet been
proven to work in humans.  I guess you will have to find some other lure.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
