That’s according to a new study published in the Journal of Biological Psychology. The study focused on individuals who were born without any sense of smell, finding they fared worse in their dating lives than the average individual capable of smell. Research showed an individual with anosmia, the inability to smell, may experience as little as 20 percent of the success a man with a normal sense of smell might receive.

The study also found that men with an inability to smell had 80 percent less sex than men who can smell. The average man surveyed had 10 sexual partners, while the average anosmiac male had only two.

While the negative impact of anosmia was most pronounced in male subjects, women with the condition also experienced increased problems with their social life, greater difficulties finding love and higher insecurity levels than the average woman.

“The study found that men with inability to smell

had 80 percent less sex than men who can smell.”

Thomas Hummel, researcher at the Smell and Taste Clinic at Dresden University, interpreted the data by stating that men and women with an inability to smell “don’t know whether they have had bad breath, stinky armpits, are drinking rotten milk or living a fishy-smelling apartments.”

Hummel noted that while the presence of strong smells could be enough to drive away potential partners, it also contributed to general insecurity among anosmiac daters, who may be left wondering if they smell bad to their potential partners, though he did not comment on the potential link between smell, pheromones and an individual’s dating life.

Photo source: danoah.com

Remember, nobody is perfect (not even me as a dating and relationship expert), and mistakes will happen and should be viewed as useful learning experiences.

So what are the most common dating mistakes? In no particular order:

1. Thinking a hot guy will have a great personality.

It is sadly rare to find someone who is both amazingly pretty and has personality, professionalism and life goals that go further than the next scene party or gym workout.

Dating someone pretty does have obvious advantages. However, some conversation is usually required and a personality as interesting as a plank does start to grind after a while.

2. Going out with a guy whose reputation goes before him.

You say: “With me it’s different!” You may be right, but if he’s done it before, there is a good chance he’ll do it again. Never go into a relationship expecting to change someone — madness will surely follow.

3. Drugs and booze help you hook up.

If waking up feeling like a train wreck next to some guy whose name you can’t remember is what you want, then go get ‘em, tiger! Hopefully you won’t end up with long-term health problems.

“If something doesn’t

work, stop doing it.”

4. Bars are the only place to meet gay men.

Wrong. I agree bars are like a magnet for gay men (so are Liza Minnelli and Barbara Streisand), but gay guys go to many, many other places.

They also hold jobs down and go supermarket shopping. Bars are not the only place to meet gay guys.

5. You can’t find love online.

Wrong. I met my husband on an online forum. He posted a question about selling his house, I replied with my experience (I am that gay stereotype where it comes to homes and house interiors), and we got chatting from there.

There are stacks of dating websites out there. If they didn’t work, those websites wouldn’t be in business.

6. “That guy is way too hot to speak to.”

How many times I have heard that comment from my coaching clients. You can say hello to anyone.

Remember, “hot” guys have problems in the dating world too, especially when people just treat them like fresh meat.

“Hot” guys want do settle down too, and you could be just the sweet, sensitive guy he’s been looking for.

Have your opening line sorted — ask a question or compliment him on something (above the neck and below the ankle is a good rule to follow here): “I like your hair. Where did you have it styled?” Shake hands (and don’t grab his crotch).

This list can go on and on, but the best advice I can give you is this: If something doesn’t work, stop doing it and do something else instead.

If you have a dating disaster story you’d like to share for a future article, please email me at jonathan@gaydatingexpert.co.uk.

I’m in a very good relationship. However, weekends are the only times we have available. We met on Match.com and are in our 60s. She still works two jobs during the week and I’m semi-retired. I am very lonely during the week.

What do you think?

-Ben (South Carolina)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

It sounds like the two of you have different relationship needs and expectations. And your financial situations make it difficult to have as much leisure time as you’d like. But relationships aren’t just about filling leisure time with pleasure. They are about life.

Have you tried asking her if you can drive her to one of her jobs and grab a quick bite together between shifts?

If this isn’t practical and you love this woman, as I see it, you’ve got two choices. Suck it up every week and wait for her until the weekend, or open your semi-retired wallet and get her to quit one job.

No relationship is perfect. But a good relationship is worth keeping.

No counseling or psychotherapy advice: The Site does not provide psychotherapy advice. The Site is intended only for use by consumers in search of general information of interest pertaining to problems people may face as individuals and in relationships and related topics. Content is not intended to replace or serve as substitute for professional consultation or service. Contained observations and opinions should not be misconstrued as specific counseling advice.

These problems include:

1. Thinking you’re too old to date.

Let’s make one thing clear right off the bat — you are never too old to date. You don’t need to perform a lot of research to notice compatible men, and women continue to find each other at every stage of their lives.

Plenty of women have boyfriends in their later years, and there’s no lack of senior men and women getting married to each other.

You are never too old to date. Remember this.

2. Thinking dating isn’t worth it.

This fear is just as understandable (but just as unfounded) as the previous concern. As long as your heart works, as long as you feel and as long as you desire companionship, dating will always be worthwhile.

Are you going to find a man, marry him and have a new batch of children together at your age? Probably not. But getting married and raising a new family represents just one reason why people decide to come together.

Let go of your expectations of what sort of relationship you think you’re “supposed” to have and explore the sort of relationships you really desire right now.

“The human desire for kindness, excitement

and warmth does NOT have an expiration date.”

3. Settling for less than you want.

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you need to settle for a relationship you don’t want with a man you don’t want to be with. Just because the dating pool isn’t quite as deep as it was when you were younger, that doesn’t mean you need to lower your standards.

Dating is supposed to be a fun experience revolving around sharing exciting adventures, warm moments and lots of personal growth, all of which are only possible when you’re with a partner who excites you, comforts you and helps you reach the next step of your personal evolution.

Never forget this, and never settle with someone simply because you don’t think you could meet anyone else due to your age.

4. Listening to what everyone else says.

Some of your friends and family will treat your dating life patronizingly. Some of your friends and family won’t approve of your choice to continue to date. Some of your friends and family will disagree with the partner you choose.

But then again, some of your friends and family will love the fact that you continue to date, they will take your romantic experiences seriously, and they will heartily approve of the high-quality partners you bring into your life.

Keep your supportive loved ones in the loop, and breeze over the matter with anyone who does less than give you all the green lights you need. Life’s too short, for all of us, to waste our time with anyone who offers less than full support.

5. Thinking senior dating is different.

People are people, dating is dating and relationships are relationships. The surface details change from person to person and demographic to demographic, but ultimately you’re looking for positive experiences and loving partners very similar to those you desired when you were younger.

The human desire for kindness, excitement and warmth does NOT have an expiration date.

Fortunately, they all have their “tells” and red flags, if we can see them through their mask of beauty, charm and earthly delights.

1. She hates women.

Why would a woman hate and distrust other women? Perhaps she hates and distrusts herself. Perhaps she assumes other women will try to steal her man because she always tries to steal theirs. Perhaps she thinks they are petty and shallow because she is.

If every woman on the planet is a threat to her, then perhaps she sees the world only through the spectrum of sex. There are a lot of sweet, fabulous women in the world, so if she can’t get along with any of them, then there’s a good chance the problem lies with her. Beware.

2. You catch her in a lie.

If she says she was with Jane and Sally last Saturday but they don’t know what you’re talking about when you run into them at the mall, you’ve got a problem. There is always a purpose behind deceit.

It’s one thing for her to tell you your feet don’t stink when they clearly do, but to lie about where she was or what she was doing can rarely have an innocent upside. What else is she lying about? What is she trying to cover up? Be afraid.

3. Her jealousy is irrational.

Does smoke come out of her ears when you say that Megan Fox looks hot in a movie? Does she care if you think Pippa Middleton has a sweet butt? When you sincerely tell her that she looks hot and sexy in that dress, will she say, “Yeah, but not as sexy as Pippa” three months after you mentioned her once?

If you just sat down to answer her call at the office and you exhale a bit loudly, does she think you were just having sex and had your office phone forwarded to a motel? Welcome to hell.

“After a couple of dates, she updates her status to

‘In a relationship’ and wants you to do the same.”

4. She thinks she owns you.

Does she feel abandoned, betrayed or suspicious when you want to spend a night out with the guys? She could be controlling, manipulative or just needy. In any case, a woman needs her time with the girls and you need enough independence to have a guys’ night out.

Far from being a threat to your relationship, a little time with the people we have known and bonded with long before this woman came into our lives is a good and healthy thing. If she respects you, she should respect your friendships, too.

5. She pops pills.

If she reaches into her purse and pulls out some “diet pills” a few times a day, she may have a problem with amphetamines. It may not be anything like a hardcore addiction, but it does bend a person’s sensibilities, priorities and emotions.

Be careful with women with addictive personalities. They may have mood swings well beyond the normal monthly variety, and they may not be able to develop real and lasting attachments with men.

Their real bond is with light drugs to make up for their perceived shortcomings, which they will transfer to you as your inadequacies. Then they will hate you rather than hating themselves. Just be careful.

6. She has a collection of past relationships.

There are several kinds of gold diggers, but this one is unique. Every item you see on her has a story behind it and she wants to tell you every one. “This diamond pendant is from Jack. He was an older guy that said he was going to leave his wife for me but he never did. This butterfly tattoo on my shoulder was by this tattoo artist at a shop in the village. I lived with him for a while.”

7. She stalks you on Facebook.

After a couple of dates, she updates her status to “In a relationship” and wants you to do the same. She might even send you a pic of the two of you from her phone that she wants you to use as your profile pic.

She posts a lot of photos of the two of you and tags you as her boyfriend in every one. She’s probably not the devil, but just proceed with caution.

Good questions, all. There are few things that can settle your first date jitters like a nice glass of wine or other “social lubricant.” But there is also very little that can undermine a budding relationship like a sloppy drunk.

Let’s look at some guidelines for acceptable drinking behavior on a first date.

Don’t start without her.

Sure, you’re a little nervous and you want to be relaxed and charming when you meet for your date. However, a little nervous tension can be a great thing to work through with your date.

Never show up for a date with a shot or two of “courage” already under your belt. She will know and it is hard to think of a scenario in which this could work out well for you.

So, you’re a little uptight and paralyzed by her beauty. She’s got a tummy full of butterflies too, you know. Ask if she would like to order a glass of wine or a drink. If she’s not in the mood, ask her if it’s OK if you get a small glass of wine. Let her know you just want to calm your nerves a bit.

But a word of warning: Don’t order a double shot of tequila with a beer back. She will see red flags waving and might instantly change her opinion of you. Wine, or maybe a small scotch on the rocks, are the classy and safe ways to go.

“Alcohol can be a great tool for

relaxation when used in moderation.”

Sip…two’s enough.

If you are both having an alcoholic beverage, always keep an eye on her drink so you don’t double her pace, especially if you are both having beer. You are used to drinking with the guys. The first one goes down in just a few minutes, and then you have another.

Not this time. Women have common sense about drinking and don’t attack a drink the way a starving dog attacks a bowl of kibble.

Take smaller sips and don’t get too far ahead of her. You do not want to reorder before she’s ready if at all possible. She can’t judge you poorly if she’s drinking at the same rate. And you also want to make a couple of drinks last through a nice long conversation.

If you’re dining, order water when the food comes. If an hour passes since your two pre-meal drinks, one more for dessert might be OK. Although, it might impress her if you don’t have another so you can drive safely.

One more thing — you’ll be watching her beverage to set your pace anyway, so make sure you notice if she seems to be stuck with a nearly-full drink in front of her for a long while. She may be having a hard time with the taste, especially if it’s beer.

So tell her, “How about I take that beer off your hands or send it back with the waiter and get you a strawberry daiquiri?” It’s what Prince Charming would do.

Drinking and romance.

Before you go out for your date, set yourself some limits and guidelines. If this is a girl you want to impress and see again, then those limits should include: No more than two or three drinks during a five-hour date, no more than one drink more than her (if she’s not drinking, you only get one), and no sex on the first date.

Too harsh? Maybe not. Maybe you can handle more than three drinks with the guys, but can she handle more than that? Do you want to out-drink her by several drinks so she can tell you are noticeably drunker than she is? Do you want her to think you are trying to get her drunk so she will lose her inhibitions?

Let me answer for you: No, no, and hell no.

Alcohol can be a great tool for relaxation when used in moderation. But in excess, it can unleash the untamed beast in both of you before your relationship is ready to survive such behavior.

When drinking allows either of you to go beyond her boundaries of trust and intimacy that have thus far been earned, it can only work against you.

The idea on a first date is not to take all you can get. The idea is to impress your lady with your maturity, good sense, gentlemanly behavior and patience.

Let her be the one to go home with thoughts of how she can please you a little more next time — and with no morning headache to dampen her emotions.

But when is it time to start listening to your gut and paying attention to the red flags? Here are a few warning signs that need to be heeded — no matter how many second chances you think a person deserves.

1. He can’t keep his eyes focused on you.

If he’s constantly turning his head at every attractive woman who passes by your table, then chances are he’s got nothing but sex on the brain. A man should be on his best behavior on a first date.

If he can’t stop himself from being a womanizer in the first two hours of meeting him, what would the future of your relationship look like?

2. He asks for money.

I don’t care if he turns on the waterworks when he’s telling you about his sick grandma or how his French bulldog needs an operation. If this guy is asking you for money on the first date, it’s a clear indication that he is completely desperate (i.e. he has nobody in his life because he’s screwed them all over) or he is a total liar.

This man you just met is not yours to fix. Get out, now.

“There’s a big difference between being

socially anxious and being a plain weirdo.”

3. He says anything about “love at first sight.”

You’re on a first date and within the first 20 minutes, this guy is hinting at how you two are meant to be. Call it fate, destiny or “love at first sight,” but I call it BS.

Sure, the date might be going really well — the best date you’ve ever been on even — but there is no gain in saying the two of you are going to be together forever. That’s just creepy!

4. He is rude.

I dated a guy who refused to shake people’s hands unless he thought they were better than him. He wasn’t a germaphobe. He was a dick.

If you’re on a date with a new guy and he is rude to the waitress, cab driver, your roommate, the guy at the convenience store, etc., then he’s showing you exactly who he is. He’s rude and it’s a direct indication of how he will treat you.

Sure, first dates can be awkward. The guy might get really sweaty or use the bathroom one too many times, but there’s a big difference between being socially anxious and being a plain weirdo.

Keep your eye out and stay vigilant for red flags such as lying, rudeness and womanizing.

I don’t care how hard up you are for some male attention, being by yourself is way better than being with a jerk.

• Bad Relationship 1: “I Fell for a Tramp.”
• Bad Relationship 2: “She’s Just Like His Ex!”
• Bad relationship 3: “Doofus Steps in It Again!”
• Bad relationship 4: “Will He Ever Learn?”

Whether you’re fixated on a type of girl who will never be right for you, or you just keep screwing up those first few dates with moves that will never win her heart, you can still turn things around and find your true love.

1. Forget about your “type.”

It should be obvious to you after a few failed relationships, a dozen bad dating experiences, and a hundred bullets for just approaching women that your ideal type is not that into you. It’s time to grow up and look at things that really matter.

The “type” you liked in the magazines you brought into the bathroom when you were 15 will not necessarily give you the same great experience in real life.

If you think your type has anything to do with looks, hair color, breast size, ethnicity, eyes, or attire, then you have a serious problem. Base your preferences around a woman’s inner qualities and you might have better luck.

You can’t understand why all of those sexy hoochie mamas turned out to be gold diggers? You’re sure the next one will be different? You could be right.

Tip: Try looking for a sweetheart who looks a bit conservative on the outside. She might be saving all her love for you.

“The only one who can break you

of your bad dating habits is you.”

2. Avoid needy women.

Some men learn they can find women easily if they figure out how to identify the needy ones and help them out. Maybe they are always recently dumped by guys on the rebound who just need to be held and feel loved.

You’ll get lucky easily and she will give you amazing hugs and passionate (and sometimes tearful) kisses. But once she zaps all of your strength and begins to heal, she will open her eyes and move on.

She might be down on her luck and need a place to stay or need some money to fix her car or feed her kids. She might give you some sexual appreciation too, but it takes a healthy heart to feel real love.

If you’re building a pattern of failure around needy women, just remember that what comes too easily, goes away easily as well.

3. Take your time with women of value.

Don’t rush your dates into the bedroom. Women love sex just as much as you do, so you may be able to ply them with a few drinks and get them to give it all up before you’ve earned it.

She will not look at that as a victory the next morning the way you will. She will feel as though she failed herself, and she may feel as though you treated her like less than the lady she is.

Dating is not about sex. Dating is about finding a good partnership and then building a relationship, which will eventually include plenty of sex.

Focus on the friendship and building a bond first, and she will eventually jump into your spider web.

4. Don’t keep doing the same things over and over.

You know that whatever you’re doing it always leads to Dumpsville. Meet every new lady with a clean slate and a fresh approach, and make your dates special just for her.

Don’t go to the same restaurant where you always take women on your first dates, even though they all like it and things are good for a while.

Ask her what she likes, find some common interests, and step out of your comfort zone and into hers. Be a gentleman at all times. Don’t talk about yourself. Get her talking about herself and things she enjoys.

Listen carefully and learn. Find out what she looks for in guys and what she didn’t like about some of her past dates with other guys.

Every woman is unique, so don’t treat them like identical minnows in a bucket. Don’t think of her as “girl.” Get to know her as “Janice.” Call her by her name, and cater to her comfort and ease.

Make it a point to learn something special and unique about her, and then make her feel as special as she is.

There are a hundred different directions we could take this discussion, but the only one who can break you of your bad dating habits is you.

Don’t blame the women for your failures, and really try to identify how your unsuccessful relationships and dates have progressed.

Think about what the common threads might be with the relationships you had with different girls and where they started to go wrong. Then do something different.

There are so many women who consistently date the same kind of train wreck, get their heart broken and then cry about and wonder why this guy wasn’t “The One.” It’s kind of like Einstein said: If you keep touching an electric fence and getting a jolt, then why do you keep touching the darn fence?

Let’s look at a few tips to help you break those bad dating habits:

1. Have a plan.

You wouldn’t open a company without having a business plan, right? Same when you’re looking for a potential life partner.

Sit down and figure out what it is you’re looking for in a man — honesty, integrity, hardworking, he wants kids, family’s important to him, etc. If you don’t know what you want, then how will you find him?

2. Nurture yourself.

By nature, women take care of everyone else before they take care of themselves. But when it comes to dating, you need to come first.

Set some ground rules and stick with them. Write down what’s acceptable to you and what’s not before you go on another date. Every “game” has a set of rules, why would dating be any different?

3. Ditch the bar.

Say you’ve dated 10 guys over the past year and they’ve all ended horribly. Now, say you met all 10 of those guys at the bar close to your work. Do you think maybe you should stop dating guys who go to that watering hole?

The odds of lucky number 11 being Mr. Right are not in your favor. Try dating someone you meet at the gym or church or a photography class.

Nobody has it completely figured out when it comes to dating. That’s why we date multiple people before settling down — trial and error.

Don’t beat yourself up for past bad dating habits, just work to change them by forming a plan, taking care of yourself and expecting different results only after you alter your actions.

I’ve been dating this great girl for a year and a half. She’s the mothering kind of girlfriend. She takes care of me and it’s awesome. One problem — I never thought she was pretty.

I knew I was settling when I started dating her, and now we’re buying our own place. We’re so stable that there is no question that we’re going to get married. However, I can see problems 20 years ahead. I think she deserves better.

Is it wrong to break up with someone just because of their looks?

-George P. (Florida)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Dear George,

In a word, YES! I’m sorry that our superficial media messages that place hotness above a beautiful heart have made you confused. Newsflash: Pretty women are more likely to break up with a guy when the going gets rough because they know their value in the sexual marketplace and feel a boyfriend is replaceable.

Here you have a woman you think is awesome. One who loves you, cares for you and is loyal. Those qualities are exactly what you need for a long-term, healthy relationship.

Oh, and by the way, in 20 years, you’ll probably be cured of the “young man’s fascination with beauty.” Hopefully, you’ll be wise and grateful that you married such a gorgeous heart.

No counseling or psychotherapy advice: The Site does not provide psychotherapy advice. The Site is intended only for use by consumers in search of general information of interest pertaining to problems people may face as individuals and in relationships and related topics. Content is not intended to replace or serve as substitute for professional consultation or service. Contained observations and opinions should not be misconstrued as specific counseling advice.