How to get a Woman to Fall in Love with You

First Meeting

Your reaction: It's not just your mates' envious glances making you feel good. Flirting stimulates the production of dopamine, the body's reward chemical. The University of Sao Paulo in Brazil found this makes you more focused and goal-orientated. You'll also produce extra testosterone to give you a competitive edge.

Her reaction: University of Iowa research found flirting affects her differently. The limbic system takes over, making her act on instinct rather than rationally. This hormone hit makes her blush, and touch her neck, mouth and lips.

Better loving through chemistry Studies at Carnegie Mellon University in the US found that the testosterone boost makes you so goal-orientated you're likely to blow your chances by moving too fast. Work on boosting her levels of oxytocin. This 'bonding' chemical will make her feel closer to you, and the easiest way to boost it is by complimenting her.

Want to add more chemicals to the amorous cocktail? Sugar raises her levels of serotonin. So grab the cocktail menu, and look for something chocolatey. Chocolate raises serotonin levels and contains phenylethylamine (PEA) - responsible for attraction. Studies confirm chocolate makes women aroused, which she'll put down to being with you.

First Date

Your reaction: She walks in to the bar and your stomach drops like you're on a roller-coaster. Seeing her causes a PEA rush. This manifests itself as 'butterflies' and tingling hands. Her reaction: First-date nerves pump you both with the stress hormone cortisol. Too much of it can shut down non-essential functions such as sex drive and hunger. So if she's pushing food round her plate, you could be getting the push later. Better loving through chemistry US studies at Lafayette College found kissing reduces cortisol and boosts bonding oxytocin, so give her a peck on the cheek. And, according to research at Stony Brook University in the US, just a little nervousness can actually increase attraction. People are more likely to feel aroused when they're nervous. And you tag that arousal to the person sitting in front of you.

You can also increase her PEA levels through eye contact. Couples who are in love look at each other 75 percent of the time when talking. Mimic this and her brain will associate you with love.

First Kiss

Your reaction: By now we're talking about the real thing, not a peck. You only get one, so make it count. The first kiss involves a complex information exchange. Studies show men prefer kisses to be wetter and with more tongue than women. This could be because a man's saliva contains testosterone, which increases a woman's desire.

Her reaction: Women subconsciously judge your genetic compatibility, using clues like taste, breath and body odor. A bad first kiss makes her 50 percent less likely to have sex with you. Better loving through chemistry Signal to her that you're more than just a one-night stand. Scientists at Ruhr University of Bochum in Germany found tilting your head to the right while kissing means you're perceived as being more caring. Also, don't suck mints: the University of Albany in the US found that any odor can be interpreted as disease. Go for green tea, instead. Studies by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver found it was the best way to kill off bacteria that cause your breath to stink. Plus, it doesn't smell strongly.

First Time you have Sex

Your reaction: Things change quite dramatically once the deed is done: Dopamine levels drop dramatically in men, causing you to lose sexual desire and actually find her less attractive. What you really want to do at this point is snooze. Oxytocin, serotonin and prolactin released after orgasm encourage sleep.

Her reaction: During sex, oxytocin and vaso-pressin are released, hormones associated with bonding, commitment and trust. But there's a twist. Oestrogen increases oxytocin's effects, while testosterone decreases them. After one night of sex, a woman will feel much more bonded than a man. Forcing yourself to stay in close contact after sex - think post-coital cuddle - boosts your oxytocin levels as they're elevated by touch. This counteracts the drop in dopamine, making you more inclined to bond, satisfying her emotional needs and upping your chances of a repeat performance.

You've said those Three Little Words...

Your reaction: A survey by UK dating company Parship says by date five you're head over heels. Men fall in love almost twice as quickly as women. But you're not all romance. For men, love looks more like lust, with extra brain activity in areas associated with arousal. Your dopamine levels also rise, boosting energy and mood. Studies found that your testosterone levels drop 40 percent: nature's way of stopping you straying.

Her reaction: She's not sure. The Parship survey found that women need 10 dates before falling in love. The brains of women in love show activity in emotional areas. And in memory regions.

So past behavior is obviously a factor. Better loving through chemistry. Little things score big: take out the rubbish, wash up, hug her - it'll make her feel loved. And use her focus on memories. Remind her of nice things you've done. When she's at work, email her a photo of you both on a day out. It would be a great ‘bonding’ experience.