# What does sex smell like? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 25, 2007, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698 "2007-11-25T15:15:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/21 "2007-11-26T00:51:35Z")
I once had to book a hotel in a hurry in a city I don’t normally visit. It seemed nice on the internet, but it was just a teenager fuck-palace in reality. My room smelled like a cross between a wet dog and the Bison exhibit at the zoo. It took a full can of economy size Lysol (and a demand that the front desk change all of the sheets) for me to even stay over night there. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/22 "2007-11-26T00:59:48Z")
Polyamines. No, really. As much as I hate to admit it, there is some definite sensory nexus between semen and decomposing dead bodies (I’m familiar with both). > **[Polyamine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamine)** > > A polyamine is an organic compound having more than two amino groups. Alkyl polyamines occur naturally, but some are synthetic. Alkylpolyamines are colorless, hygroscopic, and water soluble. Near neutral pH, they exist as the ammonium derivatives. Most aromatic polyamines are crystalline solids at room temperature. > Low-molecular-weight linear polyamines are found in all forms of life. The principal examples are the triamine spermidine and the tetraamine spermine. They are structurally and biosyn... > **[Putrescine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putrescine)** > > Putrescine is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)4(NH2)2. It is a colorless solid that melts near room temperature. It is classified as a diamine. Together with cadaverine, it is largely responsible for the foul odor of putrefying flesh, but also contributes to other unpleasant odors. > Putrescine is produced on an industrial scale by the hydrogenation of succinonitrile. > Biotechnological production of putrescine from a renewable feedstock has been investigated. A metabolically engineered s... > **[Spermine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spermine)** > > Spermine is a polyamine involved in cellular metabolism that is found in all eukaryotic cells. The precursor for synthesis of spermine is the amino acid ornithine. It is an essential growth factor in some bacteria as well. It is found as a polycation at physiological pH. Spermine is associated with nucleic acids and is thought to stabilize helical structure, particularly in viruses. It functions as an intracellular free radical scavenger to protect DNA from free radical attack. Spermine is th An... ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/23 "2007-11-26T01:48:42Z")
[QUOTE=Cosmic Relief] Risotto? [/QUOTE] 😃 That was the very first thinig I thought when I read the title. I figure anal sex smells of papaya, then. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/24 "2007-11-26T01:51:47Z")
It smells damp to me. Not musty, not mildewy (god forbid), just damp. It’s a clean kind of damp, but with a note of something indescribable. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/25 "2007-11-26T07:00:48Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] It smells damp to me. Not musty, not mildewy (god forbid), just damp. It’s a clean kind of damp, but with a note of something indescribable. [/QUOTE] Seconded. It smells like vagina and sweat I guess, but what does vagina smell like? Pungent and a little sweet is all I can come up with. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/26 "2007-11-26T07:04:54Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] Seconded. It smells like vagina and sweat I guess, but what does vagina smell like? Pungent and a little sweet is all I can come up with. [/QUOTE] That’s a fairly good description of what sex smells like when you’re lying there panting afterwards. There’s definitely a cloying, acidic quality to the odor that doesn’t match up with the smells of any of the primary juices involved when it sits around, something I’ve only noticed when I haven’t been one of the parties involved. Thank god I’m done with college and dorm-living. ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/27 "2007-11-26T13:21:21Z")
[QUOTE=jtgain] I just read the thread that Gfactor linked, and I can’t believe someone said a “chlorine pool”. That’s exactly it, at least for MY contribution (male). I remember the first time I had a wet dream, I woke up and thought, “Wow! It smells like Clorox!” [/QUOTE] Now, I always get a hint of ammonia, afterwards. I guess you and I should conduct our business well away from each other, 'cause you don’t want to mix bleach and ammonia … ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/28 "2007-11-26T14:24:15Z")
[QUOTE=bbs2k] I’ve heard this asked before in some other places, but I’d like to know here. Having sex produces a very specific smell (in my experience). So what sort of collection of scents does it involve? Could I collect and market this? It would be a very popular spray-on I believe. [/QUOTE] Sex smells like tequila and red jello. ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/29 "2007-11-26T14:37:12Z")
[QUOTE=Winston Smith] Sex smells like tequila and red jello. [/QUOTE] You just wrote me a grocery list. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/30 "2007-11-26T15:23:13Z")
[QUOTE=bbs2k] You just wrote me a grocery list. [/QUOTE] You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![enigm4tic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/31 "2007-11-26T16:29:04Z")
[QUOTE=Winston Smith] Sex smells like tequila and red jello. [/QUOTE] what? no chocolate? ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/32 "2007-11-26T16:43:13Z")
[QUOTE=enigm4tic] what? no chocolate? [/QUOTE] I think you’re thinking of _foreplay_. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/33 "2007-11-26T22:11:02Z")
An ex of mine once remarked that sex smelled like Filet O’ Fish. Good sex, anyways. Now I giggle to myself whenever someone I know orders the Filet O’ Fish. Not that this happens often, and not that this wasn’t a reason to mock someone thoroughly even before this association was made… but now I just giggle harder. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/34 "2007-11-26T22:42:50Z")
[QUOTE=Diomedes] That’s a fairly good description of what sex smells like when you’re lying there panting afterwards. There’s definitely a cloying, acidic quality to the odor that doesn’t match up with the smells of any of the primary juices involved when it sits around, something I’ve only noticed when I haven’t been one of the parties involved. Thank god I’m done with college and dorm-living. [/QUOTE] Well, and then there is basic hygiene… :eek: I guess I’ve never smelled days old semen/vaginal discharge. I am grateful for this. (and I’m grateful that both my college dorm-mates and I for both years had long distance BFs). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/35 "2007-11-26T23:08:59Z")
[QUOTE=Mahna Mahna] An ex of mine once remarked that sex smelled like Filet O’ Fish. Good sex, anyways. Now I giggle to myself whenever someone I know orders the Filet O’ Fish. Not that this happens often, and not that this wasn’t a reason to mock someone thoroughly even before this association was made… but now I just giggle harder. [/QUOTE] **Mahna** That’s a common reference but I’ve never been with a woman that had any kind of fishy smell about her except once when my wife had a yeast problem. Aside from that, never. I’ll think of this next time I have seafood though. 😛 Regards Testy ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/36 "2007-11-27T00:20:07Z")
[QUOTE=Testy] **Mahna** That’s a common reference but I’ve never been with a woman that had any kind of fishy smell about her except once when my wife had a yeast problem. Aside from that, never. I’ll think of this next time I have seafood though. 😛 Regards Testy [/QUOTE] While this may be true, I’ve never been with a Filet O’ Fish that smells like fish. 😃 There’s a vaguely generic McDonald’s smell to them. (I’m not really bendable enough to comment on what women smell like down there… I imagine I’d be much more popular with the boys if I could, though) ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/37 "2007-11-27T00:30:31Z")
[QUOTE=bbs2k] What Does Sex Smell Like? [/QUOTE] Pure hate. ---
**Author:** ![enigm4tic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/38 "2007-11-27T03:40:26Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] Pure hate. [/QUOTE] this coming from a guy named Shag Nasty. Go figure 😛 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/39 "2007-11-27T03:42:47Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] Pure hate. [/QUOTE] Mmmm, hate sex. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698/40 "2007-11-27T04:03:29Z")
[QUOTE=threemae] As much as I hate to admit it, there is some definite sensory nexus between semen and decomposing dead bodies (I’m familiar with both). [/QUOTE] !!! My vote: leather. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/427698.md?page=3)