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• The scientific scents of men and women explored

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Smell is a funny thing when it comes to sex. Sometimes scents waft alluringly and seductively; it is the very fragrance that arouses us. Yet at other times, we turn up our noses at certain odors. These more “natural” odors are sometimes called disgusting, nasty or unclean. “Doin’ It Well” decided that it was about time we took in the scents of sex.

Taking a Whiff

Smell occurs when tiny molecules pass through our nasal cavities and are detected by olfactory receptors lining our nose. Our sense of smell probably doesn’t do for us what it once did; many other animals have more developed senses of smell that they use to find food, home, mates and to sense danger. For humans, smell can become associated with past experiences, sometimes in complex ways. Certain perfumes, foods or chemical smells can bring back good and bad memories.

Erotically, many sensual products are heavily marketed to play upon smells. From the obvious (such as perfume) to the not-so-obvious (such as candles, massage oils or flavored lubes), these scents may produce a variety of reactions in us. Aromatherapists prescribe certain scents for various reactions: For instance, lavender to relax or rose as an aphrodisiac. Because we may also associate some smells with sexual experiences (such as a particular shampoo), we may also find certain scents sensual.

Researchers in Chicago recently performed a study upon men suggesting that odors such as cinnamon buns, licorice and pumpkin pie increased blood flow to the penis. As goofy as this may seem, these researchers suggested that all sorts of smells (not just the bizarre combinations they selected) can probably increase arousal.

Phero-Moans?

There is also research examining pheromones, chemicals released by the body that may trigger sexual arousal. Most research shows that these pheromones aren’t particularly effective in human beings. This scent is found in fresh (before it becomes B.O.) sweat, and some research has found that women are attracted by the smell in men’s fresh sweat. We have to wonder, though, about the assumptions in this research. Are women ever “naturally” attracted to other women or men attracted to other men?

Au Naturel

We live in a society that likes to cover up our body odors. Deodorant, perfume, cologne, aftershave and douche all attempt to mask our own bodily odors with something else, something “better.” When we sweat or secrete fluids, these fluids have their own odors. From person to person, our bodies will smell different. Our genital areas may have their own unique odor. Despite this fact, women’s bodies receive a lot of undue criticism when it comes to smell. While there aren’t any products (that we know of) that target men when they have that “not-so-fresh feeling,” douches, feminine deodorants and personal wipes all aim to “clean up” women’s bodies, suggesting that these odors are unnatural.

Many people move past this hype, loving their own sexual smells as well as the sexual smells of their partners. Recently, a German company took this a step further and began manufacturing something they call Vulva Original, which is a concentrated perfume derived from women’s vaginal fluids. In some ways, we are very encouraged by the eroticization of women’s “natural” scent, which moves us away from the idea that vulvas should smell like roses or lemons. At the same time, the marketing campaign (SmellMeAnd.Com — clever, right?) poses naked, shaved women all around a man longingly smelling the place on his hand where he applied said perfume. The women aren’t there as full participants but two-dimensional props; the allure of the scent isn’t connected to them as people but as things to be sniffed.

Love That Smell

Smell can be a wonderful sense to play with in the bedroom. You may just pay special attention as you move throughout your day to what scents catch your attention, which are exciting or alluring. Play with different fragrances in your solo and partner sexual experiences.

Paying attention to smells can also be helpful with our own bodies. Changes in odors can be the result of diet, changes in the menstrual cycle or even an infection. These scents can tell us about our bodies and our partners’ bodies.

Because of the shame that many of us receive about our bodies and sex, we may work on accepting and enjoying the odors that our bodies produce. These scents aren’t dangerous or unclean but are a healthy part of our bodies’ natural balance. Telling your partner that you enjoy the way his or her body smells can be a step toward enjoying the juicy mechanics of your sex life.

Check us out next week as we hook you up!