Semen typically has a faint odor, and a change in smell could be down to a shift in perception. (n.d.). In August one of my teams cleared out, cleaned, and redecorated the house of someone who'd passed away. If your semen has a foul or "rotten" smell, it may be the first sign of a genital or urinary tract infection. This article will discuss what semen typically smells like and what unusual smells might mean. Men are considered infertile if they have too little sperm, so the tiny amounts that may be found in pre-ejaculate are extremely unlikely to result in pregnancy. Sperm can survive anytime from a few hours to a whole week inside the female reproductive system. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Dtsch Arztebl Int. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. What you eat and drink can change the smell of sperms. If your semen has a red or brown color, it may be a sign of blood. This type of discharge makes it easy for sperm to swim to an egg at ovulation. This chart can help you find the right fit for, How long can sperm live outside the body? Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Can you possibly get pregnant from oral sex? Sperm that's been ejaculated into a woman can live inside the uterus for 5 days. Why does semen color change and what does it mean? This is a similar pH to that of blood, and slightly lower than seawater and baking soda. Does alcohol have any effect on male reproductive function? But it can include antibiotics, a steroid cream, or an antifungal cream. If you think about it, this is kind of like what we do to our feet, keeping them confined in socks and shoes all dayand it's common for feet to smell. J Reprod Contracep. Semen quality varies from person to person. Blueberries are among many fruits that a man can eat to help stay healthy and keep sperm healthy. You should visit your doctor immediately if you feel any discomfort or suspect that you might have caught something serious. Factors that Causes Sperms to Smell Stronger It means that your sperm contains high levels of ammonia. Thank all of the chemical compounds. DOI: La Vignera S, et al. Hell want to rule out potential causes of the problem and treat it accordingly. Sperm cells cannot divide and have a limited lifespan, but after fusion with egg cells during fertilisation, a new organism begins developing, starting as a totipotent zygote. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 2019;60(2):127-132. doi:10.4111/icu.2019.60.2.127. What Are the Benefits of a Prostate Massage? All rights reserved. Once outside the body, the sperm have a very short lifespan and will die by the time the semen has dried. Does a Healthy Penis Smell BadAnd What About Semen? A lot of red meat is not only bad for the sperms but it also affects the overall health profile of an individual. We avoid using tertiary references. Christina is a New York City-based writer and commerce editor. For more information, visit the American Urological Associations website. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, including regular exercise, is also thought to help enhance your semens smell and taste, though the effects may only be short-term. Typically, Fournier gangrene is secondary to other infections, trauma, surgery, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). To be precise, it's the proteins in semen that trigger the allergic reaction, according to an overview from 2020 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Sperm can live three to five days inside the vagina, just waiting for the egg to appear so they can fertilize it and do what nature intends them to do, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The amount of sperm you make goes down as you get older, but even elderly men have fathered children. Severe cases may result in circumcision. Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation. Semen also contains magnesium and calcium, which can give it a slightly metallic or salty smell. Eating too much sugar makes your body retain fluids, leaving you feeling bloated and full. Fournier gangrene. All rights reserved. Fifteen million or more sperm per mL is considered normal. Both of these factors can increase and adversely affect a persons sense of taste. If only small amounts are present, then it wont affect her at all. ; Prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland that secretes fluids that keep semen in a liquified state while providing nutrients and enzymes that nourish and protect sperm cells. It depends on how much of it is present. While there arent any research-backed guidelines, proper hygiene practices, as well as a healthy diet and lifestyle, may slightly make the taste and smell more appetizing. Usually, it is whitish-gray, but any changes in the reproductive glands, or. Why does some sperm make me smell fishy? Tobacco and other substances can also potentially affect your sperm motility, count, and quality. "The quantity of actual nutritional components is tiny," Dr. Reitano said, and most of semen is simply water. Sperm that don't reach the cervix won't last more than a few hours due to the acidic vaginal conditions. For the most part, yes, the components that make up semen are safe to ingest. Semen with a pronounced yellow or green color maybe the sign of an infection. Yikes! This is a colorless liquid whose odor is very similar to that of chlorine or ammonia, which explains that sperm can . Some people worry that the semen will travel into the stomach, and somehow make its way to the uterus or vagina, causing a pregnancy. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Some people may even notice the smell changing over time or with shifts in diet, exercise, rest, and other lifestyle factors. When there is a fishy odor after vaginal intercourse, this may be a sign of an infection in the vagina. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. The good news is that most cases of hematospermia clear on their own without incident. How Does Sperm Smell When It Dies? It could probably be other causes like excessive fluid accumulation on testicles or lack of proper hygiene. This is due to the dilution of sperm cells. "If it is deposited into the air and onto a hard surface, it will live until the semen is dry. It means that your sperm contains high levels of ammonia. 2. Is There Any Benefit to Having Armpit Hair and Armpit Odor? Some people enjoy swallowing or tasting a partners semen, while others feel uncomfortable doing so. In this article, we examine what semen typically tastes and smells like, and what gives it this taste. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Similarly, good personal hygiene practices are likely to reduce sweat and the bacteria that create foul odors. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960035/, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2164/jandrol.04104, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6475450, https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/file/The+pH+scale+with+some+common+examples, https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/vaginal-ph, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4501804/. Diet can impact sperm quality and fertility. It will contribute a lot in overcoming the situation. It takes just one sperm to fertilize a woman's egg. Probable Causes and Treatments! National Organization for Rare Disorders. You should always check in with your doctor if youre experiencing any signs or symptoms related to male reproductive system problems, including: Foul-smelling PEE usually goes away within 2 weeks of treatment with antibiotics. Modifying dietWhen sperm dies, it soon dries out and gets crusty with a light filmy covering. "The allergen accumulates in the male's semen, and when it is placed in the vagina, the allergen is absorbed into the bloodstream. The average life span of sperm is 74 days. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Asian J Androl. Water flushes out impurities and toxins in your body. Here are more useful facts: As well as "What does sperm smell like?" But if the penis has a particularly bad odor, or it can't simply be washed away, this might indicate a health problem. This may result in the formation of pus which will eventually result in the production of white or yellowish discharge. The semen is a complex liquid, and it is yellowish in appearance sometimes. University of California, Santa Barbara, SexInfo Online: "How Long Can Sperm Live in Air? (2015). Less often, ejaculation is yet another possible cause for the smell of sperm. Some of them are given below. If infertility is an issue for you and your partner, it helps to understand the basics. Although semen flavor varies from one person to another, its generally warm and salty with a slightly chlorine-like smell. With every ejaculation, about 100 million sperm cells are released from the penis. A New Male Birth Control Works in Mice. DOI: Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. "There is less fresh air in the area and it is also more difficult for sweat and dead skin cells to fall awayit all basically stays pressed up against the penis.". Metallic. Is It a Normal Strong Odor? Sperm concentration. So while it's normal for semen to have an odor, a change in scentlike if it becomes foulcan be a clue to a health issue. It is a major reason for a man to ensure to ejaculate at least twice a week, if not much frequent, especially if his girlfriend or wife wants his sperm not to smell as bad. What Is the G-Spot, and How Do You Find It? When we have intercourse and he ejaculates inside, i make sure i go to the bathroom and clean up real well. Hence, take a quick glance at them: There are some green vegetables like broccoli, can cause the sperm to smell stronger. There are many natural remedies that can maintain a healthy vagina eliminate odors from abnormal vaginal discharge or vaginal secretion and maintain vaginal ph. Do people inquire about how does sperm smell when it dies? At climax, the man ejaculates through powerful, quick muscle contractions (1 every 0.8 seconds), and usually experiences overwhelming pleasurable sensations. doi:10.1152/physrev.00013.2015, Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To know what std cause smell is not easy due to various organisms having a similar smell. If you ovulate shortly. After ejaculation, sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days. If it is due to any reproductive problem like STD or other, you should immediately consult the doctor. If the reason for the bad sperm odor is because of any common practice then try to get rid of it and from the bad sperm smell as well. Wholesomealive.com is reader-supported. Keep your stress low so that your hormones remain balanced. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. The smell of semen can change if it mixes with other substances, such as urine or sweat. Read on to discover the safety, benefits, and risks of swallowing semen. Other drinks that contain caffeine including black teas and sodas can also make the situation worse. They found that people with low semen volumes were nearly two times more likely to have high blood pressure or heart disease than those with normal semen volumes. 2016;96(1):117. We avoid using tertiary references. Eating mint leaves is also better and is capable of improving the smell. When a person ejaculates they release an average of 39 million sperm cells from their body. It can affect the smell of your sperm too. It's normal for the human body to produce certain odorsbetween bacteria, glands, and chemicalssomething is bound to create a smell. ", What is semen supposed to smell like? They can cause many problems with the body, but one thing they dont do is smell fishy. Semenalso known as ejaculate, spunk, and a host of other, less printable nicknamesis fluid that carries sperm cells and is ejaculated from the penis. The allergic reaction is usually localized and causes redness or swelling at the point of contactusually the vagina." In one study using data from a large scale survey, 85.4% of men and 83.2% of women stated that they had performed oral sex. This can cause a fishy vaginal odor and sperm odor. There are different reasons that why a person suffers from a bad perm smell. As semen is a bodily fluid, it can carry sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV. This can be just as pleasurable but may help new sexual partners or people uncomfortable with semen feel more confident. If so, how? The consistency should be similar to that of an egg-white or be slightly jelly-like. Several fluids combine with sperm to make semen. Your cervical mucus changes throughout your menstrual cycle. If a person notices that a specific food changes their body odor, it may also change the way their semen smells or tastes. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2022. If the sperm is an odd color, such as yellow, red, green, or brown, that might be an indication of any infection associated with the male reproductive system or prostate glands. Talking about sex can be awkward. Everything You Want to Know About Female Ejaculation, 10 Facts About Testicles Everyone Needs to Know, Everything You Need to Know About Using a Dental Dam. Some people may not even notice a smell. These bad bacteria thrive in warm temperatures, so keeping the area cool can reduce the risk of PEE. After the testicles make the sperm, it takes time for them to fully mature. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. Physiol Rev. Is there a close relation between sperm count and ejaculation volume? Consequently, some of the contents of the ejaculate may leak out of the urethral opening accompanied by the secretion. Causes and treatments of erectile dysfunction, plus drugs, prescription info, and more. Your overall health and medicines tends to make your sperm and semen smell strongly. What Does It Mean When Your Sperm Smells Like Fish? If your sperm and semen have a fishy or foul smell and their color changes into brown, red, green or yellow, you must have an infection which always occurs at the prostate gland or other organs of male productive system. Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Speak with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Watery, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Soaping up in the shower should get rid of the funk since the soap will remove the bacteria from your body. Learn more about the causes and treatment, Ejaculating multiple times per day, living with certain medical conditions, and having nutritional deficiencies can all cause watery semen. You may notice a change in your urine color, especially if you havent been drinking enough water. Open communication with a partner and gentle mutual encouragement can help both partners feel less worried about all bodily fluids, including semen. Making healthy lifestyle choices can also have a huge impact on making the sperm smell better. Keep your pubic hair trimmed or remove all hair if thats your preference. To do this, avoid hot baths, wear boxers instead of briefs, and try not to wear tight pants. but also know the lifespan of sperm in various conditions. Invest in a gentle, nourishing soap that you can use to clean your groin every day. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Therefore, poor personal hygiene that results in a pungent body odor can lead to an undesirable semen taste. But sometimes, things can get smelly. Some things you can learn from the analysis: Amount and thickness of semen. Drinking enough water will help flush out any harmful gasses that might be present in your semen. If the sperm make it past the cervix, they can live up to four days. That's why it's possible to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex while menstruating. Will It work in Humans? Wholesomealive is an online healthcare media publishing website. 2. When sperm dies, it soon dries out and gets crusty with a light filmy covering. Precum, or the pre-ejaculate fluid that comes out of a penis during intercourse, contains barely any viable sperm, according to the American Pregnancy Association. 2017;114(11):186-91. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0186, Condorelli RA, Russo GI, Calagero AE, Morgia G, La Vignera S. Chronic prostatitis and its detrimental impact on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The taste of semen can vary from person to person. She has worked at various publications including InStyle, Shape, Verywell Health, and Health. A person will not become pregnant unless semen enters the vagina and travels to a healthy egg. The pH range of semen is 7.2 to 8.2, which means these foods may contribute to less bitterness to the taste not an added sweetness. If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor. How fast does sperm come out of a man? To sum up, the actual reason behind the fishy smell in semen is that the sperm cells undergo transformations during transit from the testes to the uterus; thus producing different odors that are detectable by the olfactory senses. However, sperm can live inside the body of a woman for about 3-5 days. However, diet cannot change the smell of semen in any lasting way. Why does semen color change and what does it mean? To meet the waiting egg, semen must travel from thevaginato the fallopian tubes, a tough journey that few sperm survive. Chiari Malformation: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments, It Hurts to Eat After Endoscopy? And while it doesnt have a strong scent, it still smells fine. True, men can produce sperm throughout their entire lives. Your body cannot filter out the toxins if you do not drink enough water, which may leave higher amounts of products that make your sperm smell more strongly. Moreover, the fishy smell could also be due to female track vaginal fluid containing vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and yeast infection. It is a myth that swallowing semen or oral sex can cause pregnancy. The same goes for the penisat least, a well-cleaned penis following a shower. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a symptom of herpes can include smelly discharge from the genitals. Sperm can be frozen at extremely low temperatures (but not in the refrigerator) and survive for years. Both types are caused by bacteria in the prostate gland, which produce ammonia. (2015). To reduce the risk of transmitting STIs during oral sex, people should use a condom. Remember that sperm does not smell as bad when it is fresh. What Are the Causes and Preventive Methods? Bacterial vaginosis CDC fact sheet. Last medically reviewed on August 13, 2019, The smell of semen could be nothing to worry about or it can point to an underlying condition.