Figure 9 - Pheromones and their role as aphrodisiacs: A review

Copulins. Copulins are chemicals secreted by a female's vagina. Chemically copulins are volatile C 2-C 5 aliphatic acids [40]. Huggins and Preti et al. 1976 [41] studied the chemical composition of copulins in 12 patients for 44 ovulatory cycles by means of gas chromatography tandem with mass spectroscopy to identify organic volatile components. These vaginal secretions contain mixture of aliphatic acids, alcohol, hydroxy ketones and aromatic compounds. Research since the mid to late 90 s has proven that copulins can affect and even control a male's brain. They have been shown to increase testosterone levels in men by 150% (Astrid Jutte study). This increase in testosterone may cause feelings of arousal in men if a woman is present. It is said that once a man smells copulins on a woman she is deemed to be more attractive. Whether or not human vaginal secretions contain a kind of sex pheromone (copulin) influencing male perception of females and inducing hormonal changes in males, is still