Ever had sex in your room and wondered if someone could walk in and get a whiff of the just-had-sex smell? It sure has a distinct smell, but it’s hard to describe. That’s because it’s a concoction of different scents that produce the sweet, sweet smell of satisfaction. Here’s a list of things that contribute to the smell of sex.

Sweat

Sweating is another way to get wet during sex. And since you don’t have clothes on to wick away the sweat, the salty scent of hard work and perseverance will fill the room. But, hey, there’s nothing to be ashamed of because sweating is totally normal!

Semen

Besides the millions of little swimmers vying for the spot to be your kid, semen contains fructose (a type of sugar), zinc, enzymes, and a bunch of other chemicals that contribute to its aroma. It might smell salty or sour, while some even describe it as meaty or musky.

Vaginal Liquids

The vagina and its liquids can have a variety of scents, such as sweet, musky, metallic, and even bleachy — but it’s definitely NOT meant to smell like lavender! The smell of vaginal liquids is more noticeable when doing the deed, since a woman’s body produced more of it to accommodate a penis, sex toys, or fingers

Latex and lube

Latex doesn’t smell very pleasant. Fortunately, most condoms already come in a variety of scents to suit your preferences. The scents used in condoms are, of course, just mild so they don’t cause irritation to the genitals.

Most personal lubricants are unscented. But there are also those that are scented, such as EZ Lubricating Jelly, which comes in Strawberry and Bubblegum scent.

Blood or Metal

Women who have sex during their period or on the days around their period may notice a metallic smell, which comes from blood. Aside from period, friction and health conditions may also cause bleeding after sex. It’s best to consult a doctor soon if it happens often.

Fish

The concoction of different aromas during sex may not be the most pleasant thing for your nose, but most smells are normal and nothing to worry about. However, sex smell shouldn’t smell fishy.

Consult a doctor if you notice a fishy smell because it could be a sign of an infection such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.

Sources:

Santos-Longhurts, A. (September 10, 2020). 15 Reasons Why Vaginal Discharge Smells Different After Partner Sex and What to Do. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/my-discharge-smells-like-my-boyfriend 

Goldman, A. (July 29, 2020). What Does Sex Smell Like, Exactly?. Women’s Health. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/a19904427/smells-like-sex/ 

Adriana. (n.d.). Ooh That Smell – What Does Sex Smell Like, Anyway?. Bad Girls Bible. https://badgirlsbible.com/what-does-sex-smell-like 

Mandal, A. (February 27, 2019). Semen Physiology. News Medical Life Sciences. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Semen-Physiology.aspx