Male sweat may carry more than just an odor, it could also play a role in influencing women’s reproductive hormones and emotional states, new research shows.
In a study published in Biology of Reproduction, scientists exposed women to chemical compounds taken from male underarm sweat. Within minutes, participants showed measurable shifts in luteinizing hormone (LH), which plays a key role in ovulation. Researchers described the rapid hormonal response as evidence that sweat-borne compounds can act as chemical messengers.
The impact extended beyond hormones. Women reported feeling calmer, less tense, and more positive after exposure. According to the researchers, these effects likely occur because the compounds stimulate the hypothalamus, the brain region that regulates both hormones and emotions.
Additional findings, reported in Hormones and Behavior, suggest longer exposure can even influence menstrual cycles. Women who were regularly exposed to male sweat extracts experienced subtle cycle shifts, with some showing signs of menstrual synchrony a phenomenon where cycles align over time.
Although menstrual synchrony has long been debated, these studies highlight chemosensory regulation as a possible explanation.
One compound drawing particular interest is androstadienone, a derivative of testosterone found in higher levels in male perspiration. Past research suggests it can lift mood, sharpen focus, and even heighten attraction, offering insight into how chemical cues may shape human social interactions.
Still, experts caution that the science is not settled. Many of the studies are small, and critics argue that menstrual synchrony can sometimes be explained by chance rather than chemical signaling. Yet, the consistent evidence of mood and hormonal shifts in controlled experiments continues to intrigue scientists.
What’s becoming clear is that humans, like other animals, may use chemical signals in ways that influence reproduction and behavior. Male sweat, once dismissed as merely unpleasant, appears to carry biological messages that can alter hormones, moods, and potentially even attraction.
For researchers, the findings open new questions: Could these chemical cues affect fertility? Do they play a role in partner choice? As studies continue, one thing is certain—male sweat may hold secrets far beyond its scent.
By Faith Mwende
