Survey study, 2015
Does a chemical in your body change before menstruation, and does smelling it affect your feelings?
A chemical called 2-heptanone increases to about twice the level before menstruation. When people smelled this chemical for longer periods (180 seconds), they were less interested in smelling it again compared to shorter exposures. The connection to PMS or mood is unclear.
What they did
The study had two parts. First, 24 women provided urine samples around ovulation and 12 days later. Second, 141 volunteers smelled 2-heptanone chemical for 5, 60, or 180 seconds and said if they wanted to smell it again. Women with anxiety, mood disorders, or PMDD were excluded from part 1.
What they found
2-heptanone levels in urine were approximately 2-fold higher before menstruation compared to around ovulation. When volunteers smelled 2-heptanone for 180 seconds, they were less willing to smell it again compared to those who smelled it for only 5 or 60 seconds. Men and women responded similarly to the chemical.
What it means for you
A chemical change happens before menstruation, which may be part of the body's normal cycle, but we don't know what it means for PMS or mental health. This study measured responses in a lab setting rather than tracking actual mood or PMS symptoms in daily life, so the practical importance remains unclear. Research directly connecting this chemical to PMS would help clarify its significance.
approx. 2-fold
2-heptanone increase before menstruation
180 seconds
exposure duration reducing interest in smelling again
141
volunteers who smelled the chemical
About the study
- Original title
- 2-Heptanone Produces Sensorial-Emotional Changes, Depending on Length of Exposure / La 2-heptanona produce cambios sensorio-emocionales, dependiendo del tiempo de exposición
- Authors
- Ana Gloria Gutiérrez-García, Carlos M. Contreras, Ma. Remedios Mendoza-López
- Journal
- Revista Costarricense de Psicología
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 141
- What was tested
- exposure to 2-heptanone for different durations
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.22544/rcps.v34i01.01
Topics
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