Vabbing: Does applying vaginal fluids as perfume increase attraction?

The trend was started by a TikToker identified as @Jewlieh. According to her, vabbing had increased her chances of guys approaching her at the gym.

As she was racking up dates at the gym, she also got likes on TikTok of up to 200,000 people for sharing her dating stories.

How does vabbing work to attract dates anyway?

Although it is not common knowledge, there is a connection between attraction and human scent.

Erin Flynn, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Family Nursing Practitioner (FNP) from FAVOR health, says that pheromones are a chemical compound which humans subconsciously react to leading to mating.

“Pheromones are released by exocrine glands in the body, commonly found in our pits, pubes, and breasts,” she tells Bustle.

Studies

Research into the matter is limited and not exact. However, a study conducted in 2018 found that body odour taken from women when they were at their most fertile in a month, was said to be more attractive by men. This is the period when estrogen levels were at their highest.

Similarly, a study done in 2013 established a connection between pheromones off sweaty men and an improvement in mood and focus in women.

However, the studies focused on armpit and chest sweat and not vaginal fluid nor groin sweat.

Is it safe?

For hygiene and sanitary purposes, places like the gym are already covered in sweat. Adding more body fluids can make for an unpleasant experience. Some of the comments under vabbing videos attest to this.

While vaginal discharge is normal, it is a potential transmitter of disease and infection. Experimenting in your pastime is not prohibited, however it is not advisable to make it a public practice.

Comparatively, sweat is the most reliable and safe source of pheromones.

References

Lobmaier, JS. 2018. The scent of attractiveness: levels of reproductive hormones explain individual differences in women's body odour.

Verhaeghe, J. 2013. Pheromones and their effect on women’s mood and sexuality.