Male sweat makes women happy

[arcticpenguin]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...erspiration_dc

Quote:

Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania said they found male perspiration had a surprisingly beneficial effect on women's moods. It helps reduce stress, induces relaxation and even affects the menstrual cycle.

[espritch]

And yet, I can't help but think that "Hey babe! Want to snif my arm pit?" still isn't going to become a popular pickup line.

[a_unique_person]

Quote:

Originally posted by espritch
And yet, I can't help but think that "Hey babe! Want to snif my arm pit?" still isn't going to become a popular pickup line.

funnily enough, that's what my wife says. i don't use deodorant.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

And something else makes them feel even better!!

(I kept the article, but don't have the link anymore. It was in the paper about a year ago)

Hormones in Semen Shown to Make Women Feel Good
Wed Jun 26, 2:09 PM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Hormones in semen may help to ease female depression because women whose partners don't use condoms are less likely to feel down.

Scientists at the State University of New York suspect the mood-altering hormones are absorbed through the vagina and make women feel good but they stressed that their results are not an excuse for unprotected sex.
"I want to make it clear that we are not advocating that people abstain from using condoms," Gordon Gallup, who led the study, told New Scientist magazine on Wednesday.
"Clearly an unwanted pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease would more than offset any advantageous psychological effects of semen," he added.
The researchers assessed the moods of 300 female students using a standard questionnaire. A score of more than 17 was considered moderately depressed.
Women whose partners never used condoms scored about eight on the test while those who never had sex without condoms scored 11.3. Women who weren't having sex at all scored about 13.5.
Depression in the students who sometimes or never used condoms was more severe the longer they went without sex.
The scientists said they looked at other factors, such as the use of oral contraceptives, frequency of sex and personality type, but found that none could account for the findings.
The magazine said the results are not a complete surprise because scientists know that semen contains several mood-altering hormones including testosterone.
"Some of these have been detected in a woman's blood within hours of exposure to semen," the magazine said.
The scientists suspect semen will have the same effect on women regardless of how they are exposed to it.

[zakur]

And remember last year there was that study that concluded that semen has anti-depressant properties.

Sounds like the key to a woman's happiness is a hot, sweaty, ejaculating man.

[garys_2k]

Quote:

Originally posted by The Central Scrutinizer
And something else makes them feel even better!!

(I kept the article, but don't have the link anymore. It was in the paper about a year ago)

Hormones in Semen Shown to Make Women Feel Good
...

Could it be administered orally?

It would also be key to the man's happiness.

[a_unique_person]

was this study done ethically?

Quote:

In a study to be published in the journal Biology of Reproduction, researchers collected samples from the underarms of men who refrained from using deodorant for four weeks. The extracts were then blended and applied to the upper lips of 18 women, aged 25 to 45.

There was no sign women were sexually aroused by male perspiration. In fact, the women never suspected they had men's sweat under their noses and believed they were helping to test alcohol, perfume or lemon floor wax.

It's not that disgusting. Besides, if you volunteer for a study involving psychology, you should know that the researchers may not be fully honest about their true goals. After all, if you want it to be a completely blind study, the less the subjects know, the better.

[Denise]

I actually enjoy the scent of most sweaty men. Others make me want to vomit. I wonder why some give off a pleasant scent (for my nose anyhow) and others make me ill? Is it the same for men?

Quote:

Originally posted by Denise
I actually enjoy the scent of most sweaty men. Others make me want to vomit. I wonder why some give off a pleasant scent (for my nose anyhow) and others make me ill? Is it the same for men?

The nicer peoples sweat smells the better genetically matched you are.

[garys_2k]

Quote:

Originally posted by Interesting Ian


The nicer peoples sweat smells the better genetically matched you are.

You wouldn't have a cite or reference for that, would you?

Just had a thought. Hope this doesn't count for farts as well, otherwise I'll never find a genetic match! LOL

Quote:

Originally posted by garys_2k

You wouldn't have a cite or reference for that, would you?

No sorry. It was mentioned in this TV programme I watched a few months back in the UK. Anyone else see the programme?

[Soubrette]

I remember seeing that too Ian - and no - I can't remember which programme it was either

Just that as Ian said - if you smell good to each other then you're a better genetic match

Sou

[BillyJoe]

A long time ago I was attracted to a fellow student because of her smell.
One day I asked her what perfume she wore and she said she didn't wear perfume.

I realize now I was infatuated by her sweat.

[garys_2k]

Quote:

Originally posted by Soubrette
I remember seeing that too Ian - and no - I can't remember which programme it was either

Just that as Ian said - if you smell good to each other then you're a better genetic match

Sou

I wonder how they defined "better match." Normally, we all have the same numbers of chromosomes...

[kourama]

Semi-related:

This might be purely in my mind, but I could swear that I could smell a difference in my partners' breath when they were aroused.

Anyone else?

[Dragonrock]

Quote:

Originally posted by kourama
Semi-related:

This might be purely in my mind, but I could swear that I could smell a difference in my partners' breath when they were aroused.

Anyone else?

OK, I'll take the easy joke,


I don't know, I didn't smell your partners breath.


But, on a serious note, I notice that I am more consious of my wife's breath when we are arroused, but I always figured that was due to closeness rather than body chemistry.

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Quote:

Originally posted by Soubrette
I remember seeing that too Ian - and no - I can't remember which programme it was either

Just that as Ian said - if you smell good to each other then you're a better genetic match

Sou

That women may be attracted to and enjoy the smell (as my significant other does) because they may be genetically "geared" to respond to a potential mates smell in intriguing.

I think why some men may smell badly is because there are different types of sweat. Physical exertion sweat(by adult males) is not too unpleasant. Unfortunately bacteria like the living conditions of certain parts of the body where sweat gets trapped. Apparantly it is bacteria that release foul smelling toxins.

There is "stress sweat", and that resembles uraic acid. It smells similiar to urine. Young, immature animals urinate when they get frightened (stressed) and it is thought that urinating may be a defensive mechanism in this case. The uraic acid in stress persperation of humans may have served a similiar purpose for human's at one time. Perhaps human urine or "stress sweat" was unpleasant to the noses of would be predators.

I would like to know if there may be a similiarity between the smell of a woman's mate and the smell of a significant/important male from her child hood. If so, then the genetic compatibility may have some merit as the mate's smell may communicate that he is genetically similiar.

Perhaps unrelated to this topic: Pheremone's play a large part in the choosing of mates for many organisms, but I am not up to speed on whether pheremones affect human beings in similiar ways. Are pheremones released when we sweat? when we are aroused? When we are stressed?

It is my understanding that human olfactory nerves, as they are located in our noggin, do not play as large a part in gathering information about our environment as for other mamalian species. If that is the case, human's may not be all that sensitive to pheremone's. Any money spent on spam claiming the opposite sex will flock to you if you wear their love/pherimone potion is money wasted.


Quote

"All you need is love" - The Beatles

or a really good smelling guy or doll. PPG

[garys_2k]

Again I have to ask: How do you define "genetic compatability?"

If good smelling sweat implies that you'll get along with the person better, I'm not buying it. Twin studies show that only about half of personality traits are reflected in our DNA, and these are very complex, multi-dimensional issues. Introvert/extrovert, compulsive/impulsive, thrifty/big spender. Lots of big things that define what we may find compatible or otherwise in a mate.

Just HOW are these subtle details, and combinations, supposed ot be reflected in aroma? How many "dimensions" of smell are there, and still have it basically smell like sweat? How good are our noses at detecting these subtle differences?

I'm not buying it unless someone can show controlled studies and identify the chemical compounds we're talking about. Call me a "skeptic," but this sounds full of hooey!

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Quote:

Originally posted by garys_2k
Again I have to ask: How do you define "genetic compatability?"

If good smelling sweat implies that you'll get along with the person better, I'm not buying it. ..... Call me a "skeptic," but this sounds full of hooey!

A good question to ask, but I am not informed enough to define genetic compatibility. I would not know where to begin. I guess the trouble is that the term exists, but it does not necessarily follow that it has been defined.

Your questions about smell are good as well. You are right about the studies. These thought may help keep the discussion in perspective.

It seemed to me that people were responding to the article and sharing "what they have heard or remembered". A week approach with little to support, agreed. I don't think anyone claimed anything, and were just speculating.

As you pointed out about the chromosomes. Human's can mate with human's. Perhaps that is the limited of the term "genetic compatibility", and it can include nothing beyond that.

Perhaps we need to ask other questions too.

Genetic compatibility to what end? To produce healthy offspring, which is generally the ultimate reason why most vertebrates mate?

Blood type and and rh factors as far as I know can not be determined in any way using our 5 senses, we must use medical tools and blood work tests. It would be greatly advantageous to organisms to know if they are compatible on these levels if such items matter for the survival of offspring. I doubt human's can determine by smell these factors.

I doubt too that pheremones affect our behaviour, therefore the spam/pherimone comment.

I can't recall any one stating that poeple will "get along better". Do you mean behaviourily? I have friends that have great exciting sex but they fight all the time when they are not doing the deed. Physical attraction and great sex are not enough to keep two people together. I doubt smells would help keep the two together either.

It may be that we can have no further meaningful discussion until the ambiguous term is defined. Studies would be helpful too.

Thanks for helping to keep us in perspective garys

regards
PPG

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Quote:

Originally posted by garys_2k

Could it be administered orally?

That is the recommended method.

[Denise]

Maybe we are talking about genetic similarity vs genetic compatibility?

[BME]

there appears to be some influence of genetic factors; mhc is also involved in ecognizing self and non self stuff inside the body (and to make a distinction between healthy and diseased cells (virus/cancer) ; im not really into immunology though.
additionally: pheromones are effective, also in humans, via some strange little organ up one's nose (forgot the name)
cheers Bart

btw, it has been reported that women who ingest semen during pregnancy are less susceptible to ecclapsia (im not a physician, so i dont know waht that is but sound bad news)



Genetica 1998-99;104(3):275-83 Related Articles, Links


Molecular forms of soluble HLA in body fluids: potential determinants of body odor cues.

Wobst B, Zavazava N, Luszyk D, Lange K, Ussat S, Eggert F, Ferstl R, Muller-Ruchholtz W.

Institute of Immunology, University of Kiel, Germany.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been linked to encoding for individual olfactory identity. Experiments in mice and rats proved that behavior and mating were, at least in part, determined by genes within the MHC. This study was aimed at investigating whether sHLA are excreted in human urine, saliva and sweat. In particular examination of the molecular forms in these fluids would give clues to whether break down forms of soluble MHC molecules might participate in shaping behavior. Major bands of 45, 40, and 23 kD were detectable. Increased levels of sHLA were measured using a quantitative ELISA in urine shortly before ovulation decreasing to normal levels thereafter. In animal models strain specific MHC-linked odor cues have been detected in urine. Thus, excretion of sHLA in urine might indicate a similar role for these molecules in humans.


J Reprod Immunol 2000 Mar;46(2):155-66 Related Articles, Links


Correlation between oral sex and a low incidence of preeclampsia: a role for soluble HLA in seminal fluid?

Koelman CA, Coumans AB, Nijman HW, Doxiadis II, Dekker GA, Claas FH.

Department of Immunohematology and Blood Bank, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.

The involvement of immune mechanisms in the aetiology of preeclampsia is often suggested. Normal pregnancy is thought to be associated with a state of tolerance to the foreign antigens of the fetus, whereas in preeclamptic women this immunological tolerance might be hampered. The present study shows that oral sex and swallowing sperm is correlated with a diminished occurrence of preeclampsia which fits in the existing idea that a paternal factor is involved in the occurrence of preeclampsia. Because pregnancy has many similarities with transplantation, we hypothesize that induction of allogeneic tolerance to the paternal HLA molecules of the fetus may be crucial. Recent data suggest that exposure, and especially oral exposure to soluble HLA (sHLA) or HLA derived peptides can lead to transplantation tolerance. Similarly, sHLA antigens, that are present in the seminal plasma, might cause tolerance in the mother to paternal antigens. In order to test whether this indeed may be the case, we investigated whether sHLA antigens are present in seminal plasma. Using a specific ELISA we detected sHLA class I molecules in seminal plasma. The level varied between individuals and was related to the level in plasma. Further studies showed that these sHLA class I molecules included classical HLA class I alleles, such as sHLA-A2, -B7, -B51, -B35 and sHLA-A9. Preliminary data show lower levels of sHLA in seminal plasma in the preeclampsia group, although not significantly different from the control group. An extension of the present study is necessary to verify this hypothesis.

[Megalodon]

Quote:

Originally posted by BME
Correlation between oral sex and a low incidence of preeclampsia: a role for soluble HLA in seminal fluid?

It makes sense that oral sex should reduce the incidence of preeclampsia... speacially if you don't go beyond oral sex

[BillyJoe]

Quote:

Originally posted by BME
.....ecclapsia (im not a physician, so i dont know waht that is but sound bad news)

If you asked Ed the Doc he would say something like this (although I'm not sure how much medicine he actually knows )....

Pre-eclampsia: High blood pressure +/- fliud retention +/- protein in the urine during pregnancy.
Eclampsia: severe pre-eclampsia leading to convulsions with threat to the lives of both mother and baby.

Yes, it can be bad news.

[AtheistArchon]

- Genetics probably does have at least something to do with the way people smell when they sweat, along with several other factors that we can't ignore:

1. Diet. In Korea, I've noticed people smell different overall. They eat differently. A few people I worked with I could smell all the way across the room.

2. Bathing habits. None of us can deny that a guy who hasn't showered in ten days is going to stink.

3. Soap. Another poster said something about a girl who smelled good and he thought it was perfume, but it turns out it was her body. Well, perhaps, but then again girls tend to bathe with lots of frilly, soapy, smell-good stuff that interacts with their body chemistry and stays on them most of the day. It's probably this he was smelling.

- One thing I certainly noticed was when I started going to the gym. They have a sauna there, and I'd warm up in the sauna before or after working out. You take a quick, cool shower, and then jump in the hot sauna for about 7-10 mins. The idea is to get a good sweat going, and this cycles water through your pores, cleaning them out. It works! And as a side item, you feel pretty damn clean after a good full-body sweat in the sauna and a shower. It's hard to describe. Anyway, I'd cut the lawn that weekend, and broke a sweat doing that, but didn't smell bad at all. It was a "clean sweat".

[a fantoche de meia]

Quote:

Originally posted by AtheistArchon

1. Diet. In Korea, I've noticed people smell different overall. They eat differently. A few people I worked with I could smell all the way across the room.

The Japanese sometimes refer to Koreans as "Garlic Eaters".

[Cleopatra]

Quote:

Originally posted by a_unique_person


funnily enough, that's what my wife says. i don't use deodorant.

I have a colleague that she has used exactly this argument to persuade her husband not to use a deodorant.

As she says, this is a way to keep other women away from him...

[BillyJoe]

Quote:

Originally posted by AtheistArchon
3. Soap. Another poster said something about a girl who smelled good and he thought it was perfume, but it turns out it was her body. Well, perhaps, but then again girls tend to bathe with lots of frilly, soapy, smell-good stuff that interacts with their body chemistry and stays on them most of the day. It's probably this he was smelling.

That was me.

It was not soap.
It was her body and it smelled real good.
How do I know?....
It also tasted real good.

[Always Free]

Did you marry her?

[BillyJoe]

It was a really sad story, AF.
Let me just remember the good bits.

[Always Free]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillyJoe
It was a really sad story, AF.
Let me just remember the good bits.

Come on Billy, whisper it to me.

[BillyJoe]

I didn't marry that girl but, like yourself, my wife enjoys a really sad story also.
Well it might sound like fun from a distance but it really isn't much fun close up let me tell you.

You don't really want to hear it do you, AF?

[Alaric]

I am SOOOOO damned glad someone else heard the same thing about semen injested orally during pregnancy. Not the ive been using this line to pick up prego women-but it sounds so retarded that ive been ashamed to say it.
Some friends of mine just had a baby(ill assume it was the female friend) and that was what her doctor told her to do. Oral Sex. I had forgotten what the reason was so that never helped my case.

The fact that male sweat and the like effects women so seems pretty reasonable. Nature would do a lot to get us addicted to our mates. Ive never really reacted to smell to be honest but have found your general fitness/health level does change the nature of your sweat which is probably why women react. My girlfriend loves the smell of me(to my intense discomfort) while I have never really cared either way as far as her scent. Im gonna go out on a limb here and say it probably effects women more then men. I know I look for visual ques for readiness..willingness...health and strength but I cannot see myself affected in any great way.


Although...why the hell does perfume exist? Perhaps to cover up unhealthy smells we males CAN pick up?



-------EDIT. Ok. Just got "talked too" by my lady. Apparently my comments did not put me in good stead. I mean that her scent is recognizable but I dont think its effecting my body on the same biological level.

What im hoping is that the above will let me back into the big bed.


My two cents.

So THAT'S why my wife sleeps with some of my shirts when I'm gone.

[prettygirlsmakegrave]

I feel the need to give everyone the female perspective on this stuff (well my perspective anyway)
Idea #1
This "study" suggests that in order for a woman to be happy, she may very well require a man to be near by, and, well sweating. News flash here, women are happy without men!
Idea #2
Our nice friends the journalists have a tendency to report what will sell. It's shocking I know, but the news we hear is not always accurate.
Idea #3 (which isn't really an idea, more of a suggestion)
I do see the humor in this though, so please do not feel the need to get deffensive.

Quote:

Originally posted by prettygirlsmakegrave
I do see the humor in this though, so please do not feel the need to get deffensive.

Put your nose right here.

[DanishDynamite]

prettygirlsmakegrave:

Quote:

News flash here, women are happy without men!

Women who are fine without men are like men who are fine without women: evolutionary deadends.