Pheromones Might Accelerate Girls' Puberty

Posting Date: 04/17/2000

Remember how I?ve talked about how pheromones ?- or odors that men and women send out ?- may be sexual attractants?

Well, there?s a new study that shows another possible effect of pheromones produced by men?s sweat glands. It seems that puberty maturation occurs earlier in girls when an unrelated adult male is in the household.

Earlier puberty also occurs earlier in girls whose mothers have a history of mood disorders, according to a report in Child Development.

Researchers in New Zealand say previous studies show male pheromones reduce the variability in women?s menstrual cycles, therefore it is plausible these odors could trigger early puberty in girls. Animal studies have also indicated a triggering of female puberty from pheromones produced by unrelated adult males.

Puberty isn?t accelerated if the biological father is present, but only if the romantic partner in the household is a stepfather or other adult male, the researchers say.

This study adds to the evidence that pheromones may have a physiological effect on the opposite sex and is one of the reasons cosmetic manufacturers are doing research on this phenomenon.

Source: Child Development, March/April 2000

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