Abstract

This study tested whether synthesized human male pheromones increase the sociosexual behavior of men. Previous data showed such was the case in women. 38 heterosexual men, aged 26-42, completed a 2-week baseline period and 6-week placebo controlled, double-blind trial testing a pheromone "designed to improve the romance in their lives". Each man kept daily behavioral records for 6 sociosexual behaviors Faxing them weekly:

Sexual intercourse
Sleeping next to a romantic partner
Petting/affection/kissing
Informal dates
Formal dates
Self stimulation to ejaculation (masturbation)

Significantly more pheromone than placebo users increased above baseline in

Sexual intercourse and
Sleeping next to a romantic partner.


There was a tendency for more pheromone users than placebo users to increase above baseline in

Petting/affection/kissing, and
Informal dates.

No significant difference resulted from pheromone use vs. placebo use for

Self stimulation to ejaculation or
Formal dates.

A larger proportion of pheromone than placebo users increased in

>=2 of the 5 sociosexual behaviors involving a female partner (58% vs. 19%); and
>=3 of the 5 sociosexual behaviors involving a female partner (41% vs. 9.5%).

Thus, human male pheromones topically applied in aftershave lotion caused a significant increase in male sociosexual behaviors in which a woman's sexual interest plays a role, but not in male masturbation which clearly reflects male sexual interest. We suggest that human male pheromones increased the sexual attractiveness of men to women.

Results

During the 6 experimental weeks, daily calendars showed an average use of the aftershave of 5.82 (± .98) days per week for pheromone users and 5.29 (± 1.24) days per week for placebo users. Usage did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (t<1).

The proportion of subjects in the pheromone and placebo groups who increased over baseline are detailed in Table II.

click on image to see table II full-size

A significantly higher proportion of pheromone users than placebo users showed an increase over baseline for Sexual intercourse and Sleeping next to a romantic partner.

There was a tendency for a greater number of pheromone users to increase above baseline in Petting/affection/kissing and Informal dates.

The proportions of pheromone and placebo users showing an increase over baseline in Self-stimulation to ejaculation and Formal dates did not differ significantly.

A larger proportion of pheromone than placebo users increased over baseline in >=2 (p=.01) and >= 3 (p=.02) of the five sociosexual behaviors involving a female partner.

A significantly higher proportion of pheromone (47%) than placebo users (24%) perceived positive results during the 6-week experimental period (Z=5.05, p <.001).

Discussion (excerpt; to order reprint of full study click here)


In this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of six discrete sociosexual behaviors, human male pheromones caused a statistically significant and distinct increase in the two most intimate behaviors: sexual intercourse and sleeping with a woman. These are sociosexual behaviors in which the willingness of a female partners plays a major role.


There was a tendency for pheromones to increase the next most intimate behaviors of petting/ affection/kissing and informal dates. Human male pheromones did not cause an increase in those behavior in which a woman does not play a major role...


...Although both pheromone and placebo users had reason to have the same expectations, significantly more pheromone than placebo users showed an increase over baseline in the two most intimate behaviors requiring the willingness and participation of a female partner - but not those in which the partner played a minor role. Thus, it is suggested that human male pheromones, as applied here, increased the sexual attractiveness of men to women in our study.

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