Although researchers are not sure whether the pheromones were inhaled or absorbed through the skin, the cycles of these women speeded up or slowed down toward 29.5 days. The irregular cycles of six women in a control group, dabbed with only pure alcohol, remained the same. In a second group, ten women who receive female essence showed a significant trend toward synchronized menstrual periods after only a few cycles. A control group showed no such change These studies show that the dabbed-on underarm odors have effects similar to those of regular sexual intercourse but not as strong. Cutler's earlier work on the effects of intercourse on female sexual health shows the physical presence of a man appears to be necessary but the act of coitus may not be.
Masturbation seems to have no effect at all.
Cutler and her colleagues found that regular sex eased problems of menopause and infertility by making menstrual cycle more regular. You might say that exposure to pheromones is the essence of sex. Cutler is braced for an attack on her findings from gays and lesbians. The Athena Institute is located at 1211 Braefield Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425.