# Could a man with a sensitive enough nose smell if a woman was sexually receptive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 21, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408 "2008-01-21T20:42:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/1 "2008-01-21T20:42:10Z")
I just wondered if this was possible within the limits of human olfactory sensitivity. Could you actually "“smell” if a woman’s monthly hormone phase indicated she was receptive to sexual relations just by her skin body odor? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/2 "2008-01-21T20:49:01Z")
“I myself, cannot” ``` --Hannibal Lector ``` ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/3 "2008-01-21T20:56:51Z")
I have smelled that females were on their period lots of times. It wasn’t anything too bizarre. They just smelled like iron to me. These were female friends and it was either easy to bring up or they mentioned it themselves. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/4 "2008-01-21T21:00:23Z")
The problem with the OP as written is that women can be sexually receptive at any point in their cycle, even if they can’t get pregnant at the moment. Some [recent research](http://www.livescience.com/health/060118_armpit_odor.html) suggests that ovulating women smell more attractive than others (and I thought I had seen something more recent than that, but can’t find it), but it’s not clear that the change in scent provokes a conscious reaction. Interestingly enough, there’s also [some evidence](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7082704.stm) that the swaying of a woman’s hips while she walks is a false signal to ovulation. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/5 "2008-01-21T21:00:47Z")
Officially diagnosed Hypersensitive checking in: I can tell when most women are menstruating easily from the differences in their skin odor. As for receptivity, not so much. _Arousal_ on the other hand is also easily detectable to me. The best I could tell you, though, is that prior to getting their cycle, most of the women that I’ve had relationships with do have a noticeable difference in their scent. It becomes sharper, more acidic or metallic and is different than the smell of menstruation. Whether this coincides with ovulation, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/6 "2008-01-21T21:01:13Z")
Whatever the answer, I hope they choose to approach the question in a manner different than my dog. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/7 "2008-01-21T21:09:04Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] Whatever the answer, I hope they choose to approach the question in a manner different than my dog. [/QUOTE] Well, he’s probably just smelling _their_ dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/8 "2008-01-21T22:03:31Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] “I myself, cannot” –Hannibal Lector [/QUOTE] I didn’t expect a Silence of the Lambs quote before a good loud “Whoo-ah.” ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/9 "2008-01-21T22:07:43Z")
Another sensitive nose checking in. I get about three days notice on the start of a woman’s period by the acidic/iron quality to their breath. Totally immune to good oral hygiene practices as it’s being expelled by the system through the lungs rather than the mouth. It’s not particularly unpleasant, just uniquely identifiable. And oddly enough, it has disappeared by the time her cycle starts. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/10 "2008-01-21T22:18:06Z")
As noted, a human is not a cat, and whether she’s sexually receptive at any given time goes way beyond the question of where she is in her menstrual cycle. In answer to the OP: Based on experience, I’d say I can tell by the taste of a woman’s mouth whether she’s horny. Not exactly a superpower. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/11 "2008-01-21T22:43:03Z")
[QUOTE=Projammer] Another sensitive nose checking in. I get about three days notice on the start of a woman’s period by the acidic/iron quality to their breath. Totally immune to good oral hygiene practices as it’s being expelled by the system through the lungs rather than the mouth. It’s not particularly unpleasant, just uniquely identifiable. And oddly enough, it has disappeared by the time her cycle starts. [/QUOTE] Yep that’s exactly what I notice as well. \*Something \* like the smell/taste of a penny, but with a lot more organic nuances to it. Not unpleasant at all, just different and it only shows up during those three to five days. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/12 "2008-01-21T22:51:53Z")
Depends where you sniff. What? ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/13 "2008-01-21T22:59:37Z")
Am I the only one weirded out by this? I had no idea some people could smell when a woman’s about to start her period! I don’t want random strangers knowing it’s time for me to stock up on Tampax. I’m not happy I read this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/14 "2008-01-22T00:15:18Z")
[QUOTE=Lionne] Am I the only one weirded out by this? I had no idea some people could smell when a woman’s about to start her period! I don’t want random strangers knowing it’s time for me to stock up on Tampax. I’m not happy I read this thread. [/QUOTE] We also know that sometimes _you go to the bathroom!_ ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/15 "2008-01-22T00:53:30Z")
[QUOTE=Lionne] Am I the only one weirded out by this? I had no idea some people could smell when a woman’s about to start her period! I don’t want random strangers knowing it’s time for me to stock up on Tampax. I’m not happy I read this thread. [/QUOTE] Forget the Tampax! Use a Diva Cup! (Oh, wait. That’s a bunch of other threads…) 😃 (But if super smellers can tell the difference between Diva Cup users and Tampax users, YIKES!) ---
**Author:** ![t-mobileguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@t-mobileguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-mobileguy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/16 "2008-01-22T01:08:05Z")
[QUOTE=Acid Lamp] Yep that’s exactly what I notice as well. \*Something \* like the smell/taste of a penny, but with a lot more organic nuances to it. Not unpleasant at all, just different and it only shows up during those three to five days. [/QUOTE] This thread is amazing!!! I thought I was the only one who could pick up on this. I had asked some of my friends and they thought I was being silly or sarcastic. I’m so happy I’m not some kind of mutant freak! So I will add one more person checking in who can tell before a woman starts. It’s not an unpleasant or dirty smell just a distinct metallic kinda sweet smell. Like a sweat covered penny. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/17 "2008-01-22T01:10:37Z")
I do think most men have this capability, but it may not be conscious. There is no doubt that humans produce pheremones, and it would be beneficial to the species if men could detect when women were ovulating. As an aside, women generally ovulate about 14 days before their next period-not immediately before or after menstrating. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/18 "2008-01-22T04:01:32Z")
_Yo, Adrienne, you know, it’s Rocky again, you know. Listen, uh, I know you ain’t smellin too happy at this moment, ya know…_ ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/19 "2008-01-22T04:19:37Z")
[QUOTE=Lionne] Am I the only one weirded out by this? I had no idea some people could smell when a woman’s about to start her period! I don’t want random strangers knowing it’s time for me to stock up on Tampax. I’m not happy I read this thread. [/QUOTE] I think they’re full of shit personally. You can tell when a woman’s menstruating by the smell of her breath, etc. I claim: bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408/20 "2008-01-22T07:19:33Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] We also know that sometimes _you go to the bathroom!_ [/QUOTE] Thus finishing his grand survey, Disgusted Strephon stole away Repeating in his amorous fits, Oh! Celia, Celia, Celia shits! From Swift’s [The Lady’s Dressing Room](http://plagiarist.com/poetry/8049/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-man-with-a-sensitive-enough-nose-smell-if-a-woman-was-sexually-receptive/434408.md?page=2)