Does sex have a specific smell? Most people would agree with this. Many people can even detect the scent of someone who has just had sex in the room. But if you ask what sex smells like, you might get various answers, or find that people really can't answer this question very well.
Sexual intimacy might be a blend of various scents, or perhaps some scents are completely different from others. If you want to learn about the scents of sex and the scientific principles behind them, then keep reading!
What Sex Smells Like
What does sex smell like? Well, there are some things it definitely smells of.
1. Sweat
If you break a sweat while having sex, then the salty scent might permeate a room. Some people sweat more than others, and their sweat might have a stronger smell. If you’re already sweaty, say from working out beforehand, you might notice this more.
Did you know that men’s and women’s sweat contains different elements? A man’s sweat is more likely to smell cheesy while a woman’s will have more an oniony smell to it.
2. Body Odor
When sweat evaporates, body odor is left behind. So it stands to reason that sex can smell a bit like a stinky armpit. If either you or your partner is in need of a shower, it might smell worse. Certain parts of the body, such as the butt, testicles or taint are known for smelling worse, so we advise at least scrubbing those areas if you can’t shower before sex.
People who are overweight tend to have a stronger smell, even if they’re proactive about cleaning themselves. So you may want to take a shower specifically before sex if you’re on the heavier side.
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Side note: Use these 12 great sex positions in the shower the next time you and your partner find yourselves in the shower together or these 12 sex positions for obese people.
A particular type of body odor is that funky, cheesy smell that can develop in folds of tissue or fat such as the vulva or even belly button. To combat that scent, which might be more noticeable during sexy times, make sure you’re cleaning and drying those places fully.
Read: The best treatment for vaginal odor
3. Fecal Matter
This piggybacks on the former point. You’d be surprised how many men never really scrub their butt or balls! It’s impossible to ignore when you’re going down on a guy (blow job tips here). There’s that familiar poopy smell, a combination of sweat and fecal matter.
A similar smell is also a risk when you engage in anal activities. Although you can do an adequate job of cleansing with just a shower and a lukewarm anal douche over the toilet removes most fecal matter, there’s still that risk.
Discover more in our post about preparing for anal sex.
4. Blood or Metal
Another thing that makes a difference in how sex smells is your cycle. If you have sex while you have your period — and there’s nothing wrong with that — it might smell more metallic. You’re probably familiar with the scent, which some people describe as similar to a roll of pennies.
Either way, sex can spread the blood and make the smell stronger. It’s not bad, per se, but it might not be pleasant.
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6. Ejaculate
One of the things that sex between a man and a woman smells like is ejaculate. If your partner comes in or on you and especially if it has time to leak onto the surface beneath you, you might notice a sour or salty scent. Some might describe it as a meaty scent or musk. That’s come.
Related: What Does Cum Taste Like?
It can smell — and taste — a lot stronger with certain people. If your man isn’t hydrated, his come will likely be less appetizing. But because sperm is alkaline [1] [2] [3], it will always have a specific sort of smell and taste. And when semen enters your vagina, which is naturally acidic [4] [5], a certain sex musk is to be expected.
7. Rubber
If you use condoms, a latex scent might add to the mix. However, not every condom is made from latex. If you don’t like the smell of condoms and especially if you have an allergy to latex, we recommend using a latex-alternative condom such as the female condom, which is made from nitrile [6].
8. Fish
Sex shouldn’t actually smell like fish — and neither should your vagina! If this is the case, you probably have an infection known as bacterial vaginosis. More in this post about BV.
Truthfully, sex often smells like a combination of these things. That’s what makes it so difficult to conclusively tell you what sex smells like. Plus, the way your body chemistry mixes with your current partner can mean sex smells different with him than it does with other people with whom you’ve had sex.
Some days, like those when you have an unplanned quickie (discover the art of pleasure in 15 minutes or less) or when it’s summer, and the AC has broken, the smell will be more potent. Few men will be put off; although, it might cause you anxiety about sex if you’re worried how you smell.