Studies have shown that women tend to rely on olfactory signals, assessing that individuals of the opposite sex with a pleasant body odor are more attractive than those with strong body odor.
Have you ever wondered why, after high-intensity workouts or on a hot day, men often smell stronger than women?
Both men and women have two main types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. (Illustrative image: Getty Images).
This is not just a baseless pattern; there is solid scientific evidence. Scientists studying scent have discovered the reason why men’s body odor (BO) is generally stronger than that of women.
First, let’s talk about sweat. Both men and women have two main types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are distributed throughout the body and secrete water on the skin’s surface to cool it down, while apocrine glands secrete a fatty substance containing lipids, proteins, and steroids through hair follicles in areas such as the scalp, armpits, and groin.
Due to their high protein and lipid content, when the apocrine glands are active, they become a “perfect feast” for skin bacteria, resulting in a strong body odor in the air. Coincidentally, men’s apocrine glands are often more active than women’s, which leads to the fact that men’s scents are always quite “strong.”
Additionally, men have significantly higher testosterone levels. This hormone is crucial for men and is linked to increased apocrine sweat secretion – the primary culprit behind body odor after skin bacteria are decomposed.
Another reason relates to hair density. Men typically have denser body hair than women, especially in the underarm area. This hair retains sweat and creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to a stronger body odor.
In a recent study, Swiss scientists found that Corynebacter jeikeium bacteria were more prevalent in men’s armpits, while a higher quantity of Staphylococcus haemolyticus was found in women’s armpits.
This leads to men’s underarms having an odor reminiscent of rotten cheese, while women’s underarms smell more like fruit or onions.
Men’s body odor is stronger than women’s body odor. (Image: iStock)
Researchers also concluded that men’s body odor is harder to mask than women’s. Only 1 in 5 fragrances can effectively mask men’s body odor, while 1 in 2 fragrances can conceal unwanted body odor in women.
<pSo, what role does body odor play in sexual attraction? In fact, body odor has a significant impact on sexual, emotional, and marital issues.
<pStudies indicate that women consider the pleasantness of someone's body odor to be the most important physical factor driving sexual attraction and partner selection, while men regard their partner's body odor as equally important as appearance in the early stages of a romantic relationship.
Men are often attracted to a natural chemical that contributes to women’s body odor. Women’s body odor is related to female sex hormones and varies with their menstrual cycle.
Men find women’s body odor most pleasant and attractive during ovulation, which could have been beneficial for our ancient ancestors in identifying good reproductive candidates.
When men “catch” this scent from women, their testosterone levels increase, prompting them to engage in daring, assertive, and strong behaviors to attract the attention of their partners.
Meanwhile, women are drawn to the clean and masculine natural body odor of men. (Image: iStock)
<pIt has been demonstrated that women tend to rely on olfactory signals, finding individuals with pleasant body odors more attractive than those with strong body odor.
<pResearch shows that when women smell a man's natural clean scent, it often triggers sexual attraction signals that quicken their heartbeat, improve their mood, and increase their desire for intimacy.
<pConversely, a strong-smelling body from the opposite sex can make women feel uncomfortable and want to stay away.
To enhance their sexual attractiveness, both genders have numerous ways to create pleasant body scents, such as through diet or using artificial fragrances.
The impact of body odor on sexual attraction is a complex interaction between biological and cultural factors. The link between unpleasant body odor and decreased sexual attractiveness is evident. It serves as a reminder of the important role of scent in human interaction, influencing everything from first impressions to romantic relationships.
