Published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, a team of researchers found that people who have a better sense of smell report experiencing more pleasure during sex. This is especially true for women with a superior sense of scent, as the study found they have more orgasms during intercourse.
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To conduct their study, researchers gave Sniffin' Sticks to 42 women and 28 men between the ages of 18 to 36 to evaluate their sense of smell. Then, participants answered a survey about their sex life, which included questions about their desires, sexual frequency, orgasm frequency, and perceived pleasure during sex.
The team found that people with high olfactory sensitivity rated their sexual encounters as more pleasurable. Meanwhile, there was no link between people's smelling ability and their level of sexual desire.
Although the study authors can't explain why having a great sense of smell could make for better sex, they hypothesize that "the perception of body odours such as vaginal fluids, sperm and sweat seems to enrich the sexual experience," Business Insider reported. In other words, you might want to take a few whiffs of your partner before your next romp in the sack.
Smelling abilities aside, if you're not satisfied with your sex life, there's plenty you can do to spice things up.
Start by trying a new position that isn't the traditional missionary or cowgirl. For inspiration, check out our list of sex positions guaranteed to boost intimacy between you and your partner. If you're ready for something more adventurous, try including a toy (like these top picks for couples.)
This article originally appeared on Men’s Health US.
