Semen, or seminal fluid, doesn ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate constantly smell the like. Semen contains numerous substances that influence its spirit, and your individual diet, hygiene, and sex liveliness all play a separate. Certain foods can give it a fresh perfume ( and taste ! ). But eating or drinking acidic substances can make your semen smell foul. Some infections and conditions can influence its olfactory property, besides. Read on to learn why semen has such a distinct odorize, when you should see your doctor about the smell, and how to improve your overall smell .
Contents
If it smells like ammonia, bleach, or chlorine
Semen normally smells like ammonia water, bleach, or chlorine. Semen is about 1 percentage sperm and 99 percentage other compounds, enzymes, proteins, and minerals. many of these substances are alkaline. This means that they ’ re above a 7 on the ph scale, which is measured from 0 ( highly acidic ) to 14 ( highly alkaline ). Some alkaline substances in semen include :
- magnesium
- calcium
- copper
- zinc
- sulfur
overall, germinal fluid typically leans slightly alkaline. Anything between 7.2 and 8.0 is considered a healthy ph level. When your body ’ randomness ph levels are balanced, semen should smell like ammonia, bleach, or early alkaline substances. You might notice variations in this scent, particularly after you have sex. The vagina leans toward the acidic side, with a typical ph level between 3.8 and 4.5. This acidic environment can interact with the substances in semen and temporarily alter the smack.
If it smells like fish or rotten eggs, or is generally foul
Fishy, rotten, or fetid semen isn ’ metric ton normal. Eating certain foods — like asparagus, meats, and garlic — or drinking a set of caffeine or alcohol can make your semen smell barbed. Try limiting these foods to see if your semen smell returns to normal after a few days. If indeed, there ’ second nothing to be concerned about. If the smell persists, it could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection ( STI ) or other implicit in condition, such as :
- Trichomoniasis. This infection can cause itching and burning, as well as smelly penile discharge.
- Gonorrhea. This bacterial infection can cause burning when you urinate, testicle swelling, and white, green, or yellow penile discharge.
- Prostatitis. This refers to inflammation of the prostate gland. It’s usually caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms include pain when urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, pain during ejaculation, or having to urinate more often than usual.
See your doctor for diagnosis if you notice these symptoms along with fetid semen.
So what exactly does semen smell like?
curious to know when semen smells like ? Take a whiff of Pyrus calleryana, a pear tree found throughout North America. As Vice reports, it ’ randomness well-known as the “ semen tree. ” When its flowers efflorescence during the spring, big amounts of organic chemicals called amines are released into the air. These are the lapp chemicals found in body olfactory property, fish, and, of course, semen. This permeant scent is like that of semen — or as one Urban Dictionary drug user puts it, “ used sex rags. ”
What can affect the scent?
many different factors influence your body ’ sulfur chemical symmetry, equally well as the concentration of bacteria and other substances that mix with semen and alter your perfume .
Circumcision
If you ’ re uncircumcised, the concentration of effort, bark oils, dead skin cells, bacteria, and smegma under your prepuce can all mix with your semen during ejaculation. This can change the way your semen smells. If you ’ re circumcised, effort and oils can however affect your odorize, but they typically don ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate build up to the lapp high concentrations. That ’ mho because there ’ second nothing to trap these substances underneath the clamber .
Dried sweat or urine
effort and urine check high levels of sodium, an alkaline substance. The sodium left behind on your skin after sweat or urine dries can make your semen smell even more like bleach or chlorine if it gets blend in. sweat and urine besides contain numerous early substances that can react with the alkaline substances in semen. Chloride, potassium, and magnesium can all alter its scent .
Diet
What you eat and drink contains chemicals, nutrients, and other substances that can mix with your semen contents. Some are thought to make your semen smell ( and taste ) sweet, including :
- fruits, such as pineapple, oranges, and papaya
- some vegetables, such as broccoli, celery, and wheatgrass
- “sweet” spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon
Some are thought to make your semen more bitter, including :
- caffeine
- alcoholic drinks
- cabbage
- asparagus
- leafy greens, such as spinach
- meats
- milk and other dairy products
Some of these foods are healthy, thus wear ’ metric ton catch eating them wholly if you ’ re concerned about your semen smell. You can always add in more fruits and spices to try to keep things balanced.
Can you change the way semen smells?
Your diet, life style, and hygiene can all affect semen smell. To help maintain its typical alkaline spirit :
- Bathe regularly. Always wash your penis and underneath the foreskin, if applicable.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Use protection during sex. Purchase condoms here.
See your doctor if you notice an strange smell, specially if you ’ ve had sexual activity with a new collaborator. Your doctor can determine the underlie causal agent and advise you on any following steps .