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I can identify when a woman is ovulating by the smell of something being exhaled on the breathe and excreted through the skin. Only ever happens with close fem

I can identify when a woman is ovulating by the smell of something being exhaled on the breathe and excreted through the skin. Only ever happens with close female friends, but I’ve identified the smell from regular standing conversation distance away with friends I haven’t seen for weeks and don’t otherwise know their cycle.

tasogare 7y ago
That seems a huge evolutive advantage in reproduction, I'm surprised this trait isn't more common.
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
  I suspect it is common, probably even normal. Our culture and schooling doesn't encourage the development of the subtle senses.
  - xolox 7y ago
    What is a conscious process for some can be a completely unconscious process for others.
- aaron695 7y ago
  Smell is a important part of interpersonal relationships. It's another example of what's lost working virtually. It's not an advantage knowing why the person smells the way they do. Just what to do. https://businessinsider.com/women-more-attractive-during-ovulation-2016-7 https://businessinsider.com/women-more-attractive-during-ovu... There are very strong relationships between couples and known smell genetics. (I think being different is good?) It's an interesting question how deodorant has changed our genes.
martin_a 7y ago
Oh, I have this "condition" or something similar, too. Not even with close friends but with strangers I pass in the supermarket. It doesn't happen often but it's very significant. I think I somewhere read, but unrelated to ovulating, that this was made by nature to find suitable partners. Probably that natural smell is intensified by ovulating. edit: And to be honest: I never told anyone before that I sometimes sense this different smell and I'm not sure I should. Women could probably feel uncomfortable and think their smell is somehow "bad" when others can sense it. Not sure.
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
  Sorry, I'm off to bed due to the timezone I live in. Will try to write a better response tomorrow. Thanks.
- JesseMReeves 7y ago
  You’re likely perceiving female pheromones. There have been studies that men can reliably detect fertile phases from sniffing worn shirts alone. I‘ve tried diving a bit into this topic after noticing something fruity (a good smell) in the middle of my cycle, which somehow intensified when being around my so. Interestingly it disappeared in the years I’ve been on hormonal contraception (stopped now due to a couple of more severe side effects, luckily I haven’t been on them for long). Asking the women whether your perception is true would likely have led nowhere as most women are not aware of their fertile phases. Search keyword seems to be ‚copulins‘, but the area appears a bit underexplored. Lots of companies trying to sell snake oil. Lots of urban legends about mind control. Some girls do try using their natural perfume to their advantage though. The thing about compatibility you mention is more related to the immune system I think, and mutual.
  - TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
    Pheromones is the word, thanks for the reminder. I have a tendency to associate with alternative types who are aware of their cycle and are happy to talk about it, and have confirmed my observation by asking on multiple occasions.
imotroubairitz 7y ago
I have something like this too. I first noticed it at boarding school aged 13/14. My peers put it to the test - I could identify with 100% accuracy who was on their period. Not sure this 'power' as ever been useful though. Air fresheners, scented candles all make me feel sick and agitated. However I LOVE the smell of petrol. More recently and worryingly I have noticed the distinct smell of sick people. My father had a weird smell the last time I saw him and it worried me... He has just been diagnosed with COPD. (incidentally I used to code, now I am a private chef).
teshier-A 7y ago
> friends I haven’t seen for weeks and don’t otherwise know their cycle. The cherry on top of your out-of-this-world comment. Do you know and/or keep track of some of your friends' cycles ?
- derefr 7y ago
  Your female friends don’t complain to you when they’re on their periods? That seems like part of the line between “friend” and “just an acquaintance”, to me.
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
  Haha, sure, if I live with them, it helps to know :)
fortran77 7y ago
It's like that famous scene in "Silence of the Lambs" (or the wonderful musical number in "Silence! The Musical")
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
  Not sure what you're talking about here, been ages since I watched the film. You might have inspired me to read the books, thanks :)

tasogare 7y ago

That seems a huge evolutive advantage in reproduction, I'm surprised this trait isn't more common.

TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
I suspect it is common, probably even normal. Our culture and schooling doesn't encourage the development of the subtle senses.
- xolox 7y ago
  What is a conscious process for some can be a completely unconscious process for others.
aaron695 7y ago
Smell is a important part of interpersonal relationships. It's another example of what's lost working virtually. It's not an advantage knowing why the person smells the way they do. Just what to do. https://businessinsider.com/women-more-attractive-during-ovulation-2016-7 https://businessinsider.com/women-more-attractive-during-ovu... There are very strong relationships between couples and known smell genetics. (I think being different is good?) It's an interesting question how deodorant has changed our genes.

martin_a 7y ago

Oh, I have this "condition" or something similar, too. Not even with close friends but with strangers I pass in the supermarket. It doesn't happen often but it's very significant. I think I somewhere read, but unrelated to ovulating, that this was made by nature to find suitable partners. Probably that natural smell is intensified by ovulating. edit: And to be honest: I never told anyone before that I sometimes sense this different smell and I'm not sure I should. Women could probably feel uncomfortable and think their smell is somehow "bad" when others can sense it. Not sure.

TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
Sorry, I'm off to bed due to the timezone I live in. Will try to write a better response tomorrow. Thanks.
JesseMReeves 7y ago
You’re likely perceiving female pheromones. There have been studies that men can reliably detect fertile phases from sniffing worn shirts alone. I‘ve tried diving a bit into this topic after noticing something fruity (a good smell) in the middle of my cycle, which somehow intensified when being around my so. Interestingly it disappeared in the years I’ve been on hormonal contraception (stopped now due to a couple of more severe side effects, luckily I haven’t been on them for long). Asking the women whether your perception is true would likely have led nowhere as most women are not aware of their fertile phases. Search keyword seems to be ‚copulins‘, but the area appears a bit underexplored. Lots of companies trying to sell snake oil. Lots of urban legends about mind control. Some girls do try using their natural perfume to their advantage though. The thing about compatibility you mention is more related to the immune system I think, and mutual.
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
  Pheromones is the word, thanks for the reminder. I have a tendency to associate with alternative types who are aware of their cycle and are happy to talk about it, and have confirmed my observation by asking on multiple occasions.

imotroubairitz 7y ago

I have something like this too. I first noticed it at boarding school aged 13/14. My peers put it to the test - I could identify with 100% accuracy who was on their period. Not sure this 'power' as ever been useful though. Air fresheners, scented candles all make me feel sick and agitated. However I LOVE the smell of petrol. More recently and worryingly I have noticed the distinct smell of sick people. My father had a weird smell the last time I saw him and it worried me... He has just been diagnosed with COPD. (incidentally I used to code, now I am a private chef).

teshier-A 7y ago

> friends I haven’t seen for weeks and don’t otherwise know their cycle. The cherry on top of your out-of-this-world comment. Do you know and/or keep track of some of your friends' cycles ?

derefr 7y ago
Your female friends don’t complain to you when they’re on their periods? That seems like part of the line between “friend” and “just an acquaintance”, to me.
TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
Haha, sure, if I live with them, it helps to know :)

fortran77 7y ago

It's like that famous scene in "Silence of the Lambs" (or the wonderful musical number in "Silence! The Musical")

TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
Not sure what you're talking about here, been ages since I watched the film. You might have inspired me to read the books, thanks :)