Association between olfactory abilities, arousal and orgasmicity in women

Olfaction plays an important role in human mate selection or in ratings of sexual attractiveness of potential mates. Many studies suggest that olfaction is associated with human sexuality and arousal as well, especially in women, for whom the perception of odors is an important aspect not only in mate selection, but also in sexual context. There are steroids called 16-androstenes, which have an unique importance in this issue. These steroids, produced by the apocrine glands, are compounds of human body odor. The aim of the empirical part of this thesis is to research the associations between olfactory abilities and sexual function in women, especially with particular focus on the association of olfactory sensitivity (particularly to androstadienone as well as in general), orgasmicity and arousal, which are two major domains of sexual function. Participants were 90 heterosexual and coupled female students aged 21-30. All participants were tested during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. The Sniffin Sticks olfactory test was employed to assess the general olfactory functions. Among others, olfactory sensitivity to androstadienone was measured, as well as the perceived intensity and hedonicity of androstenone, androstenol and andostadienone. Participants filled out set of questionnaires..