Original article (in Serbian) was published on 28/2/2024; Author: Teodora Koledin
Web portal Stil Kurir published an article with the following headline: “How to recognize that a woman has just had intimate relations?” The author claims there are “signs”—purportedly grounded in science—that can reliably indicate if a woman “has just been intimate” and whether she is content with her sex life. However, these conclusions predominantly arise from misinterpretations of scientific studies.
The text continues, stating that the primary indicator of a sexually satisfied woman is the “special allure” she purportedly gains following sexual intercourse. This (pseudo)scientific rationale hinges on the assertion that “the more sexually active women are, the more pheromones they release, which in turn attract men.” Additionally, it claims that this “fact” has been corroborated by numerous studies published in the Journal of Advanced Research. Upon reviewing the journal’s archive, however, no such conclusions were found.
What Are Pheromones?
The phrase “sex sells” certainly applies to the fascination surrounding pheromones within popular culture and marketing. Particularly, so-called pheromone-infused perfumes, heralded by fashion magazines as tools to “attract and entice” others with their scent, have soared in popularity. Additionally, for years, “pheromone parties” have been a unique social experiment where attendees first sniff the garments of others before choosing to interact or communicate further, all under the guise of pheromone attraction. But how closely are these practices linked to the actual science of pheromones?
The concept of pheromones was first articulated in 1959 by researchers Karlson and Luscher, who described them as “substances which are secreted to the outside by an individual of the same species, in which they release a specific reaction, for example, a definite behavior or a developmental process.” The existence and functions of pheromones have been confirmed in various animal species. For instance, the first ever identified pheromone belonged to the domestic silkworm, a species that has been fully domesticated to the point of losing its ability to fly. The pheromone released by the female can induce wind-oriented walking and stimulate courtship behaviors in males of the species.
In the case of mammals, as well as species such as reptiles and amphibians, some scientists hold the view that the Jacobson’s organ or vomeronasal organ (VNO), located in the nasal septum, plays a crucial role in detecting pheromones. Its main function is to perceive chemical stimuli with social relevance, akin to the signals emitted by pheromones. However, it’s critical to underline that, in humans, there’s no evidence to suggest that this organ remains functionally active after birth. Specifically, “there is no neuronal connection with this organ,” meaning that humans “lack the brain structure to have that connection established at all.”
Can Humans Secret Pheromones?
While there are suggestions regarding the existence of pheromones in humans, no single human pheromone has been definitively identified by scientists. Some members of the scientific community propose that certain molecules (specifically steroid molecules like androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone, and estratetraenol) might function as human pheromones, yet solid evidence for this hypothesis remains elusive.
By searching the available online research of the Journal of Advanced Research, Fake News Tragač also did not find “many studies” that were presented as a source in the text published by Stil Kurir.
The only study from this journal addressing potential human pheromones is actually a review article whose goal was to consider the potential “role of human pheromones in sex and reproduction”. However, the authors admit that “although there are studies that support this phenomenon, they are weak because they were not controlled”. In this study, Fake News Tragač did not find a mention of the claim that “the more sexually active, the more pheromones their bodies release,” that Stil Kurir published.
Revisiting the disputed claim from the outset, it becomes clear that it lacks scientific backing. Considering the scientific community has yet to provide conclusive evidence for the existence of pheromones in humans, it is unfounded to assert that women (or men) emit pheromones. Specifically, there is no established scientific basis to the notion that women release pheromones following sexual activity, making them more “attractive” to the opposite sex.
Does Research Support the Notion That Women Experience Improved Mood After Sexual Intercourse?
In the text by Stil Kurir, it is claimed that women feel better after sexual intercourse, citing a study conducted at the University of Colorado. According to the portal, this research demonstrated that “regular sexual activity enhances women’s perception of happiness.”
Upon locating the mentioned study, titled “Sex and the Pursuit of Happiness: How Other People’s Sex Lives Are Connected to Our Sense of Well-Being,” it becomes evident that the investigation went deeper than initially suggested. The study’s author, Tim Wadsworth, utilized surveys and statistical analysis to conclude that individuals report “higher levels of happiness” correlating with more frequent sexual activity. However, the study also uncovers an overlooked but relevant aspect: the reported satisfaction levels weren’t solely based on the actual frequency of sexual encounters. Wadsworth identified that comparative perceptions also play a crucial role; individuals who believed they had sex less frequently than their peers reported lower satisfaction levels.
“Respondents who have more sex than their reference group are happier, and those who have less sex than their reference group are less happy”, is one of the conclusions of this research, whose partial results were taken out of context for the purposes of the misleading article in Stil Kurir. It is also necessary to point out one more important piece of information – the research results do not apply exclusively to women but to both sexes.
Sex and Health in the Media
The final indicator of a sexually satisfied woman, as claimed by Stil Kurir, is that she “looks more beautiful after sex”. It is added that “a subtle blush in the face is a sign of a person’s good health, and it also shows a higher level of the hormone estrogen, which is associated with a woman’s fertility.” At this point, the author of the text refers to a quote by Bin Robinson, mistakenly using male pronouns. In reality, the person in question is Professor Beatrice “Bin” Robinson employed at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. This error stems from the fact that much of the text was copied and translated—without verification—from the website of the popular men’s magazine Men’s Health.
It’s worth noting a study that specifically addresses the discourse surrounding sex as an activity promoting health. The author observes that numerous popular media articles touting the benefits of sex often present conclusions that are exaggerated—highlighting cases where correlation is mistaken for causation—or are shared without detailed information on the study’s methodology. By omitting these crucial details, such articles imply that “the evidence is stronger than what is actually suggested by the scientific literature.”