Semen with an unusual smell, such as a strong, fishy odor, might be a sign of infection. The vagina is also slightly acidic. However, in very rare circumstances, some people might. Tobacco and other substances can also potentially affect your sperm motility, count, and quality. Is It a Normal Strong Odor? Why does semen color change and what does it mean? Is there anything you can do to improve the health of your sperm? Making healthy lifestyle choices can also have a huge impact on making the sperm smell better. Anecdotal evidence suggests that alcohol can create a bitter and sour flavor, but this will largely depend on the type of alcohol you drink. Semen is an important component in the reproductive system, and now you know more about what is inside of it, the nutrients it contains, the possible allergic reaction some people may have to it, and the role it plays in the reproductive system. Another factor that can influence the smell or taste of semen is an infection. "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.". MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Drinking more than four cups of coffee in a single day can make the situation worse. It is essential for sexual partners to undergo regular testing for STIs. Avoid contact with toxins such as pesticides and heavy metals. When it fully dries out, it will become crusty with a white film covering. Learn how we can help 3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago Thank Dr. Phillip Goebel agrees1 doctor agrees 1 thank "Pre-ejaculate is a slightly basic secretion released from glands called Cowper glands," Dr. Reitano said. 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. Altogether, these components make up semen. A persons sense of smell is closely related to their sense of taste. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. The semen is a complex liquid, and it is yellowish in appearance sometimes. It is an outward sign of the sperm decomposing more, so the smell gets stronger. Likewise, some people may feel self-conscious about allowing a partner to taste their semen. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. The average life span of sperm is 74 days. Is There Any Benefit to Having Armpit Hair and Armpit Odor? But the odds that sperm in a tub of water will find their way inside a woman's body and cause them to get pregnant are extremely low. There are quite a few things to know about semen. We asked sex and relationship experts for the best ways to talk about sex. If there was I wouldn't be sitting here with a 4 month old. It is also another reason why having plenty of safe sex can be healthy. The job of the sperm is to fertilize the egg in order to create an embryo. There is no right or wrong way to feel about semen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a symptom of herpes can include smelly discharge from the genitals. But outside of the body, semen can't survive very long. Read on to discover the causes of change in semen color and texture, and what these may mean. Prolonged or significant changes in the smell of semen may point to an underlying medical condition, such as a sexually transmitted infection. Often, the media make jokes about sex, bodily fluids, and bodies. Sharp. While this may seem alarming, the condition (called hematospermia) is usually not serious. Other drinks that contain caffeine including black teas and sodas can also make the situation worse. But just as food can change the way a persons sweat or skin smells, it can also temporarily change the smell of semen. You might think you only need to take one step at a time starting with taking care of yourself first, then moving on to your family. Sperm can live inside the. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Most men's semen will have a somewhat bleach-y, chlorine-y smell to it. Check out the list above to make sure you dont experience any of these symptoms. Stick to acne products to clear up those breakouts instead. 8675Thr 7 yr. ago. The sperm dies when that occurs.". We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. National Cancer Institute. Infertility and Men: What You Should Know, Ovulation Tool: Find Your Most Fertile Days. "For this reason, the penis may actually smell more like an armpit than like your forearm after a long day of sweating," Dr. Bohl said. DOI: La Vignera S, et al. The allergic reaction is usually localized and causes redness or swelling at the point of contactusually the vagina." Yikes! Some smells that could signal a problem include: When semen changes in smell, it can also taste differently. Well first off, sperm are made of proteins. Consuming any of these substances can reportedly cause the flavor to become more bitter, pungent, or sour. 2020;14:2633494120922511. doi:10.1177/2633494120922511, Salas-Huetos A, James ER, Aston KI, Jenkins TG, Carrell DT. Dr. Reitano said that sperm contains vitamin C, B12, ascorbic acid, calcium, citric acid, fructose, lactic acid, magnesium, zinc, potassium, sodium, fat, and hundreds of different proteins. 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. Jerry Kennard, PhD, is a psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society. The sperm are designed to survive in a woman's vagina and are ill-suited to open air and dry surfaces. Owen, D. H., & Katz, D. F. (2013). All rights reserved. Some things can change the smell of semen, such as when it mixes with urine. Trichomoniasis, aka trich, can cause a putrid, fishy odor from the penis or vagina. Zhou, J. The second type of PEE is foul smelling. However, a determined sperm can survive for up to a week in a female's fallopian tubes . Finally, eating lots of vegetables like parsley and celery can also help. Report / Delete 3 Reply keysha09298 ashley73242 Posted 6 years ago Studies show that diets high in processed meats, trans fat, soy, and high-fat dairy cab affect the shape, quantity, and motility of sperm. This is definitely abnormal and you should see a doctor to get tested and treated. A 2015 study found that semen pH influences sperm health, which can affect fertility. However, 1 in 5 people cannot perceive this smell, which is why some men and women don't think sperm smells at all. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Read our, How to Have Healthy Sperm for Maximum Fertility, Tip for Keeping Your Urinary Tract Healthy. However, if there is excessive retention of fluid within the seminal vesicles, the fluid can spill out of the urethra via ejaculation. Although, most people with genital herpes don't experience any symptoms. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Fresh sperm has a light smell and even no smell at all. A better understanding of the new "smelling" capabilities of human sperm cells may lead to advances in contraception and fertility treatments. This is a colorless liquid whose odor is very similar to that of chlorine or ammonia, which explains that sperm can . It includes limiting the caffeine intake and making sure to drink plenty of water every day. Drinking plenty of water is always important and is another factor in keeping yourself healthy. But it isn't always viable. Finally, if underwear isn't clean and some residual urine is in the mix as well, this can cause a stench. People have described the flavor as bitter, slightly salty, sweet, or metallic. Don't smoke or use illicit drugs, especially anabolic steroids. Oral sex is a common sexual act that many people find pleasurable. Now you not only have all the answers to "What does sperm smell like, look like and taste like?" They can also be a sign of dehydration or recent ejaculation. Outside the body, this process can be as short as a couple of minutes and last up to 20 minutes, depending on atmospheric factors and the volume of semen ejaculated. Both types are caused by bacteria in the prostate gland, which produce ammonia. How Does Sperm Smell When It Dies? Indian J Urol. When they do, they may describe a musky, salty, or slightly metallic smell. 2011 Mar;22(1):23-8. doi:10.1016/S1001-7844(12)60003-0. For example, a strong foul or fishy smell can be a sign of infection or a sexually transmitted condition. Sometimes it is even accompanied by the smell of rancid walnuts or almonds. 2. Typically, semen has a faint smell caused by a mixture of chemicals, such as citric acid and calcium. Wholesomealive.com is reader-supported. 2015 Nov;104(5):105160. Practicing safe sex is crucial to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. It's also produced as part of digestion, so it can appear in semen. If you are experiencing discharge and it smells, you could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). 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. That being said, the taste and smell of semen can vary from one person to the next. People who feel anxious about the taste or flavor of semen may want to try performing oral sex without allowing their partner to ejaculate, then manually stimulating their partner to orgasm. These include foul-smelling semen, abnormally colored semen, or high or low volumes of semen after ejaculation. Why does it look and smell different sometimes? To get to the egg, the sperm is carried along by fluid that's produced by different male sex organs. Semen has a faint smell that varies from person to person. She also has a RYT-200 certification. But sometimes, things can get smelly. Watery. Semenalso known as ejaculate, spunk, and a host of other, less printable nicknamesis fluid that carries sperm cells and is ejaculated from the penis. Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Why does semen color vary and what does it mean? On average, each time men ejaculatethey releasenearly 100 million sperm. Is It a Normal Strong Odor? Outside the body, sperm can live for about 15 to 30 minutes in the right conditions. Many factors, including environment, your. Also, putting cinnamon and nutmeg in the diet can decrease how strongly the sperm smells. I wish there was like a 100% guarantee of dead sperm within a few weeks :p. [deleted] 7 yr. ago. And is it just a myth that it's great for your skin? With todays anti-retroviral drugs, people who are infected with HIV can expect to live longer than ever before. Spermatogenesis: the commitment to meiosis. The purpose of seminal fluid is totransport sperm cells and enable their survival for up to five days so that fertilization is possible. 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. How Long Can Sperm Survive After Ejaculation? There are many different STDs that can cause either of these types of sperm smells. It includes eating mostly or all vegetables and being a vegetarian, which is hard for most people and is more commitment than they can make. That also means the taste can vary from person to person, so although semen is generally warm and salty, there will be unique differences in flavor. Normal Smell The normal smell of sperm is much like bleach or chlorine, which may be picked up in hospital, swimming pools, laundry room, etc. The pH of semen may affect how it smells, and if the pH changes, it can affect the smell. Apply moisture-absorbing body powders or creams around the area to soak up any sweat to help prevent odors. The reasons why such discharge occurs may be due to a variety of causes and should not be considered as normal discharge. But if lots of it is present, then yes, it could definitely affect her. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Moreover, an unhealthy diet and some repugnant vegetables are responsible for the bad smell of sperms. Some people worry that the semen will travel into the stomach, and somehow make its way to the uterus or vagina, causing a pregnancy. Adding more fruits to your diet certainly wont hurt. She has worked at various publications including InStyle, Shape, Verywell Health, and Health. It is, however, possible to get pregnant if ejaculate from oral sex somehow gets into the vagina. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a symptom of herpes. (2013). Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Semen should be thick to start with and become thinner 10 to 15 minutes after ejaculation. This chemical is found naturally in urine and sweat. Bitter. By Jerry Kennard To do this, avoid hot baths, wear boxers instead of briefs, and try not to wear tight pants. Factors that Causes Sperms to Smell Stronger Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Dried semen tends to have a stronger, more noticeable smell. Treasure Island, FL; StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Read on to discover the causes of change in semen color and texture, and what these may mean. With that said, certain issues may be a sign of an infection or infertility. The reason your penis has a funky smell could be due to sweat, lack of ventilation, poor hygiene, STI, or smegma buildup. Let us discuss this issue in a bit more detail. As you know, the ejaculate normally contains sperm cells along with other substances necessary for fertilization. The body digests semen like any other food. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Cowper's gland is a pea-sized organ that secretes fluids that function as a lubricant and helps neutralize acids to keep sperm cells alive. Semen and sperm may have various smells and here are the details: 1. This can cause a fishy vaginal odor and sperm odor. To reduce the risk of transmitting STIs during oral sex, people should use a condom. But it's also a key adult skill. To know what std cause smell is not easy due to various organisms having a similar smell. Cervical mucus is a fluid produced by the cervix. "The allergen accumulates in the male's semen, and when it is placed in the vagina, the allergen is absorbed into the bloodstream. 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. Physiol Rev. If the sperm had just become smelly when it used not to be, you have not changed your diet, and you believe that it could be a symptom of an underlying problem, you should see a doctor. 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. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. There are different reasons that why a person suffers from a bad perm smell. Diet and sperm quality: nutrients, foods and dietary patterns. For example, a strong foul or fishy. If sperms die before dying out, like put sperm in a sealed bottler, they smell like dead corpse, really pungent. Other chemicals that are in semen can also influence its smell. 2012;14(1):6-13. doi:10.1038/aja.2011.58, Griswold MD. Ammonia is harmless; however, it can create a fishy odor. Last medically reviewed on September 3, 2019, Semen typically has a bitter or slightly salty taste, though this may vary from person to person. But this stuff packs a punchthere are nearly 20 million to 150 million sperm in an average milliliter of semen. So, if you are wondering why does sperm smell like fish Try following these tips to avoid fishy smell in sperms: Fishy smelling is a bad problem. Learn more about STIs and oral sex, including prevention methods, here. Bacterial vaginosis CDC fact sheet. Sweet. Some are normal, whereas others may require medical attention. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. There are other possible causes as well. If you have a fishy smell when you ejaculate, this may not necessarily mean that theres an infection going on inside your body. Investig Clin Urol. "But in general, having any sort of discharge from the penis should prompt you to see a healthcare provider.". For those sperm that complete the trip, getting into the egg, which is covered by a thick layer, is far from a sure thing. The job included pest control for flies and maggots that were in the kitchen and . It could probably be other causes like excessive fluid accumulation on testicles or lack of proper hygiene. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? If you have any doubts or queries regarding the content kindly leave them below in the comments section and we will be more than happy to help you out with them. If semen volumes are consistently abnormal and you've been unable to conceive, you may want to consult with a fertility specialist. Do diet and physical activity affect the taste of semen? It is necessary to have a balanced and healthy diet, as it can affect your whole body and greatly influence your life and how you can live your life. How fast does sperm come out of a man? The seminal fluid itself is composed of fluids from three organs: During ejaculation, powerful contractions of muscles (called bulbospongiosusandpubococcygeus muscles) propel semen out of the penis through a long tube called the urethra. 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. Some people may even notice the smell changing over time or with shifts in diet, exercise, rest, and other lifestyle factors. Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? However, not enough research exists to show a strong link between diet and semen flavor. But if the penis has a particularly bad odor, or it can't simply be washed away, this might indicate a health problem. If you suspect you have an STD, talk to your health care provider immediately. Semen that has a fishy odor can be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease. The ammonia and other sterile-smelling alkaloids in semen give it the bleachy smell. All right reserved. ", MedlinePlus.gov: "Aging changes in the male reproductive system. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. Semen analysis and sperm function tests: How much to test? The smell situation is a little different here. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. In addition, cigarettes can reduce the quality, count, and motility of sperm and make it harder for your to conceive. It will contribute a lot in overcoming the situation. You may notice a change in your urine color, especially if you havent been drinking enough water. Keep your pubic hair trimmed or remove all hair if thats your preference. What you consume on a daily basis from certain foods to other substances can change the compound composition, which will have a subtle effect on the flavor of your semen. Experts believe this process may be nature's way of allowing only the healthiest sperm to fertilize the egg, to provide the best chances of having ahealthy baby. Many men worry about sperm health because they dont want to pass on genetic defects or infertility problems to their children. Broccoli, however, is a cruciferous vegetable, which some say may contribute to sperm smelling bad. Many people complain about sperm odor. (n.d.). You should make sure to properly clean the area around your penis and testicles. What causes watery semen, and does it affect fertility? Does a Healthy Penis Smell BadAnd What About Semen? For the most part, yes, the components that make up semen are safe to ingest. An Overview of the Male Reproductive System, Vasectomy: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery, Semen analysis and sperm function testing, Spermatogenesis: the commitment to meiosis, Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation, The longitudinal effect of ejaculation on seminal vesicle fluid volume and whole-prostate ADC as measured on prostate MRI, Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: seminal vesicle.