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What are the Causes of Smelly Penis?
The penis can have an odor, and it can be caused by something as simple as not washing regularly or properly after urinating.
But some other causes of smelly penis go beyond this, including infections and diseases that can lead to more serious problems if left untreated, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia, genital warts, and bacterial vaginosis.
This article discusses some of the causes of penis order and their remedies..
Cause of Penis Oder: What is Smelly Penis?
Smelly penis, or trichomycosis pubis (also known as “Brott's disease” and “Hirsuties coronae glandis”), is a condition that affects the human groin. It is caused by an overgrowth of normal skin flora and a specific yeast — Malassezia furfur.
A smelly penis can be caused by sweating or uncleanliness, which causes foul-smelling bacteria to grow on the skin around the penis and pubic area.
The condition affects men of all ages, but the smell is typically more noticeable during puberty and adolescence due to hormones and puberty causing sweat glands to work overtime in certain areas of the body like the genitals.
Other dangerous causes of smelly penis and smelly urine begin in the prostate. The prostate is a little gland that has a big impact on your health.
Located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, the prostate is a gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm. It surrounds part of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine through the penis and out of your body.
The prostate may seem like an unlikely culprit for causing physical problems. But when it becomes inflamed or infected, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, including smelly urine.
Understanding the Penis
Most male problems are the result of fear and ignorance, so it’s important to understand how your penis really works. The male penis is made up of erectile tissue, which means it can expand when stimulated.
This expansion allows blood flow to increase and lets you get an erection! One thing that people who worry about penis odor don’t know is that males produce more sweat than females do.
Sweat tends to have a sour smell, but you can minimize unpleasant smells by practicing good hygiene habits: showering daily and using a fragrance-free soap. Don’t try perfumed products on your genitals; they could cause irritation or infection.
7 Causes of Smelly Penis
Below are the most common causes of smelly penis and ways to prevent smelly penis from developing in men of all ages.
#1. Urinary tract infection
The most common cause of smelly penis is a urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly if your urine smells strong or you notice an uncomfortable sensation when you urinate. A UTI can be caused by bacteria getting into your bladder through sexual activity, so you may want to take precautions such as using protection and cleaning up thoroughly afterward.
In addition, drinking plenty of water and making sure to pee after sex should also help prevent UTIs. If you have any concerns about sexual health, contact your doctor for more information about preventing and treating UTIs.
#2. Fungal Infections
Another cause of smelly penis is fungal infections, which are caused by yeast overgrowth in your genitals. Yeast infections are fairly common in women but rarer in men; they often develop due to poor hygiene or certain medications that suppress immune function, like steroids and antibiotics.
You’ll know you have a yeast infection if there’s redness around your genitals, itching, burning sensations during urination, and/or pain while having sex.
#3. Poor Hygiene.
The third cause of smelly penis can be bad hygiene, particularly if you don’t clean yourself regularly after sex or use an insufficient amount of soap when washing up.
If your penis smells strongly after a shower or bath, it may be because you aren’t using enough soap to wash away bacteria and other substances from your skin.
In addition, not cleaning yourself thoroughly after going number two could also lead to a smell down there—you should always wipe from front to back so bacteria doesn't get transferred into your urethra and cause an infection.
#4. Erectile Dysfunction Medications
Another possible cause of smelly penis is erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. Although these drugs are very effective at treating ED (especially in older men), they often come with side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, headache, and/or facial flushing.
Some people report that these symptoms are accompanied by an unpleasant odor in their urine or semen; although rarer than other causes of smelly penis, erectile dysfunction medications can sometimes have similar effects on male sexual partners as well.
#5. Sexually transmitted infections
A variety of sexually transmitted infections can lead to smelly penis and include, but are not limited to chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and scabies. These types of STIs are typically treated with medications such as antibiotics or antivirals.
If left untreated for too long though, these infections can spread throughout your body and become life-threatening. This is why it’s important to see your doctor if you think you might have an STI that’s causing a smelly penis.
#6. Yeast Infections
The most common cause of a smelly penis is a yeast infection, which can be caused by either Candida albicans or other species of Candida fungi. As with other forms of fungal infections, yeast infections on your penis may cause itchiness, redness and irritation around your genital area.
Yeast infections are usually treated topically using anti-fungal creams like clotrimazole (Lotrimin) or miconazole (Monistat). You should also avoid wearing tight underwear or pants made from synthetic materials like nylon because they will trap moisture against your skin and make things worse!
#7.Smegma
This is a white substance that forms on your penis. The secretions from your apocrine glands produce smegma. It looks like white lumps or a clumpy material and can be found beneath your foreskin or around your penis head.
Smegma has an unpleasant odor, but it’s not dangerous to your health. However, if you notice any kind of discoloration in your genital area (even if it doesn’t smell), see a doctor right away as soon as possible. This could be an indication of something more serious going on in your body.
Cleaning your penis properly will prevent smegma buildup. After each urination, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching yourself or anything else in order to avoid getting bacteria on them. Then take a shower or use warm water and gentle soap to clean your genitals thoroughly.
Symptoms Related to Penis Odor
Other signs linked to smelly penis can include:
Having other symptoms along with smelly penis is common.
The key thing here is to identify whether or not you have other issues that are causing your genital odor. That way you know what direction to go in terms of treatment.
For example, if you have severe pelvic pain as well as a smelly penis then you should probably be looking at getting tested for STDs before taking any supplements or using an over-the-counter remedy for genital odor.
The same goes for anyone who has noticed a loss of sex drive or erectile dysfunction while dealing with genital odor.
How to Clean Your Penis
This will depend on whether your penis is circumcised or uncircumcised. If it’s uncircumcised, you can clean your penis by pulling back (gently!) on your foreskin and cleaning underneath with warm water.
The top of your penis should never be exposed to any harsh soaps—only mild soap is required for washing. If you’re circumcised, you can use mild soap to cleanse under and around your penis—but don’t be too aggressive!
Some men have one or two showers daily, wash their hands frequently, use hand sanitizer regularly, and still notice a strong odor. You might be surprised to learn that sweat isn’t actually smelly (at least not on its own), but bacteria is what causes sweat to smell unpleasant.
While some causes of smelly penis can be easily treated with over-the-counter treatments or cleaning habits, sometimes it could mean an underlying issue that you should see your doctor about.
Remedies for the Causes of Smelly Penis
Medications for smelly penis
If you’re suffering from an unpleasant odor coming from your penis, there are several medications that can help to eliminate these symptoms. One common medication used to treat smelly penis is an over-the-counter antifungal cream or powder.
Antifungal creams and powders work by effectively killing any fungi present on your skin, which in turn reduces smelly penis problems and allows for fast healing.
Ampicillin is another type of medication that may be prescribed by doctors in order to combat smelly penis issues.
Home remedies
There are several home remedies for a smelly penis. Natural treatments like baking soda and vinegar can effectively help to solve smelly penis problems.
The baking soda should be applied to affected areas of the penis while allowing it to sit for two minutes before rinsing it with water. Vinegar should also be applied onto affected areas of your penis in order to promote fast healing and prevention of smelly penis problems.
When to See a Doctor
The first step to getting rid of a smelly penis is to see a doctor and make sure there isn’t a medical cause. If your doctor says everything looks normal, you can probably treat the problem yourself with one of these methods.
Before you get to that point, though, let your doctor know exactly how bad it smells. Not every smelly penis warrants immediate attention (more on that later), but if yours is especially pungent or accompanied by other symptoms like itching or burning when urinating, it could be an indication of something more serious than poor hygiene.
You should consider seeing a doctor if:
Also, visit a doctor if you're not circumcised and you notice changes in skin color around your foreskin or at its tip.
Consider Circumcision to Improve Genital Hygiene
If your penis has a strong odor, one reason could be that you are uncircumcised. This condition can lead to genital hygiene issues and bacterial growth, which in turn can lead to foul-smelling discharge, itching, and pain.
If you’re uncircumcised but are having problems with smelly semen or any other unpleasant symptoms of poor genital hygiene, it’s likely time for circumcision—the removal of the foreskin from your penis. Cutting the foreskin prevents many causes of penis odor.
Circumcision is considered a cosmetic procedure by many insurance companies, so check with yours before making an appointment. But if you have health insurance, circumcision is covered as long as there’s no underlying medical issue causing your problem.
In some cases, surgery is not necessary; nonsurgical methods such as topical creams may suffice to improve genital hygiene and reduce odor. Discuss these options with your doctor at your next appointment.
Foods that May Cause Smelly penis
You may be wondering: how is food one of the causes of smelly penis. While foods that cause smelly penis might not seem like something you’d consider eating, they could be causing unpleasant side effects.
Foods to avoid
Sugar and high starch foods like white bread and pasta can trigger bacteria on your skin to produce ammonia, which smells like urine.
As we sweat throughout the day and have fewer opportunities to wash our bodies, those odor-causing substances become trapped in our genital area. Avoiding spicy foods and alcohol also limits unnecessary irritation to sensitive tissues down there.
Foods to consider
A great diet rich in fruit and vegetables helps ensure you have all-around health—and also works wonders for your penis health. Also try eating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, herring, sardines, and anchovies as well as walnuts, flaxseed oil, and sunflower seeds for more antioxidants—all known to reduce inflammation.
It’s important to note that while food may play a role in creating an offensive smell, some men may notice their penis smelling worse after exercise or sex. If you’re worried about how healthy your body is overall, talk with your doctor about testing for any infections or conditions that may be causing an off-putting smell.
The Far-reaching Downsides of a Smelly Penis
Do you suffer from a smelly penis? Are you worried about your sex life and your social life? If so, you’re not alone. Men with a smelly penis are often ignored by women they approach and are also often subjected to teasing from friends and family.
A smelly penis can also cause embarrassment during exercise or work (your colleagues will start sniffing) - which is why it’s important to figure out what causes a smelly penis.
When someone smells something bad like body odor or something else unsavory on you, they don’t want anything to do with you because of how terrible that smell is. It could lead them not wanting to have sex with you; potentially making your partner become less attracted to you over time.
Some people aren't sure if their penis smells bad:
As men grow older, their bodies naturally produce less semen than when they were younger – meaning less sperm overall! This can lead to a smelly penis for some men. Because of these changes in hormones and natural bodily functions, you may notice that your penis doesn’t smell as good as it used to.
This can make it harder for you to attract women or keep your social life intact because of how embarrassing it is. It’s important to understand what causes a smelly penis so that you can fix it before things get out of hand. Men with smelly penises are often ostracized by society and their friends because of how bad their penises smell.
Avoid Using Cologne and Body Sprays on Smelly Penis
Some sprays and colognes are specifically designed to mask body odor. They have ingredients like perfumes, deodorizers, and antibacterial agents that do just that: cover up bad smells with good ones. That’s great if you’re trying to make your body smell nice, but applying them to your smelly penis can actually worsen any existing odors.
Over time, these chemicals can react with your natural skin oils, and break down into compounds like ammonia and trichloroethylene, which then causes even more unpleasant smells. Yuck! So don’t use products on smelly penis that are made for use elsewhere on your body—or anywhere near it!
And definitely, avoid spraying anything directly onto your penis. This could cause an allergic reaction or irritate sensitive tissue in ways that aren’t always obvious at first.
Tips to Avoid a Smelly Penis
For people that have a smelly penis, there are several tips to reduce it. As with most things, prevention is better than a cure.
Lastly, clean your penis after sex to avoid odor buildup and other causes of smelly penis such as STIs.
Products to Keep a Good Smelling Penis
While there are many possible causes of penis odor, our male experts agree that one of them is usually sweat.
In fact, sweat plays such an important role in penile odor that it’s often impossible to determine whether urine or sweat is to blame for unpleasant penis smells. Fortunately, several simple solutions exist for how to get rid of smelly penis odor.
The right product will depend on what type of symptoms you have and what your overall health is like, but our experts say that mild odor can often be cured with over-the-counter products designed specifically for men's private parts.
You can consider the following products
The market is ripe with solutions for an itchy or smelly penis, so don’t feel discouraged if one product doesn’t work for you. Try something else; there are many choices out there!
For more extreme cases, see your doctor immediately; they may recommend prescription medications or other treatments.
Last Words
There are multiple causes of smelly penis, including improper personal hygiene and underlying medical conditions. That being said, it’s important to see your doctor if the problem persists for more than a few days.
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