The Impact of Body Odors on Sexual Attraction and Partner Selection: A Review of Cisgender Homosexual Men and Women

• Published in: Archives of sexual behavior Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 65 - 73
• Main Authors: da Silva, Lillian N. O., de P. Costa, Tainah P., Castro, Felipe N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.01.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Archives & records; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Bias; Brief Report; Cisgender; Clinical trials; Female; Heterosexuality; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Humans; Male; Medical Subject Headings-MeSH; Odorants; Odors; Pheromones; Preferences; Psychology; Public Health; Quasi-experimental methods; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Behavior - physiology; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual orientation; Sexual Partners - psychology; Smell; Social Sciences; Systematic review; Women; Reproductive behavior; Homosexuality; Sexual diversity; Sexual orientation; Pheromones
• ISSN: 0004-0002; 1573-2800; 1573-2800
• DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-03022-0

This study examined the role of odors in sexual attraction and partner selection among non-heterosexual individuals. We searched using MESH terms in databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Clinical Trials. We focused on experimental or quasi-experimental studies where olfactory cues were used in partner selection. The studies had to identify participants’ sexual orientation and include heterosexuals for comparison. Seven studies, published between 2005 and 2014, involving 345 participants (Mean age, 27.09 years), met the criteria. Results suggest that sexual orientation affects both preference for and production of human body odors and that human body odors appear to provide cues about the sex and sexual orientation of potential partners. Most participants were male, limiting conclusions about the role of pheromones in attraction among non-heterosexual women.