Looking for a husband? Do not drink hormonal contraceptives!

A significant role in choosing a partner for people is played by body odor, which attracts representatives of the opposite sex with different sets of genes, which ensures the maintenance of the genetic diversity of the population. Violation of this mechanism can lead to difficulties with conception, a high risk of miscarriage and long intervals between pregnancies. In addition, an insufficiently diverse set of genes in a child can weaken his immune system and overall health.

An important role in the formation of body odor is played by the genes of the major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), which, in addition to performing their main function – the production of proteins necessary for the development of an immune response – affect the vital activity of bacteria living on the skin. Thus, these genes are involved in the formation of our attractiveness to the opposite sex.

Scientists from the Universities of Liverpool and Newcastle, working under the guidance of Dr. Craig Roberts, analyzed the effect of taking hormonal contraceptives on olfactory preferences. One hundred women were asked before and after the start of taking contraceptive pills to choose 6 of the most pleasant male body aromas for them from 97 samples obtained from voluntary study participants.

It turned out that the preferences of women taking contraceptive drugs shifted towards men with a similar body odor to their own and, accordingly, a greater probability of genetic coincidences. The authors emphasize that the similarity of histocompatibility profiles is fraught not only with problems with conception, but also with the breakdown of relationships in the event of discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on ScienceDaily – Contraceptive Pill Influences Partner Choice01.10.2008