I recall reading a report recently that women (at least some) are more sensitive to milk which may be past its prime and are more able to detect its going toward bad before men.

With that said, I try to buy milk with 12-14 days to go before sell by date which usually gives me around three weeks before there is an issue. Since, in L.A. at most markets you can buy 2 gallons for around the price of 1 and 1/3 separate gallons (Costco fighting measure) I go for the two gallons, and put any bad milk on the roses which my gardening neighbors swears produces giant blooms. @:-)