When things get hot and heavy, the last thing any man wants is his penis smell to overtake the mood. Not only can it be embarrassing and communicate the message that he doesn’t pay attention to personal grooming; it can also be a symptom of a health issue. There are a number of not-so-nice infections that can cause serious trouble for a man, and his partners, if left undiagnosed and untreated. Here are six potential causes of penis odor, and also a few ways to freshen things up down there.
1) Poor Grooming – Not showering each day, neglecting to take showers after workouts, and just taking lazy, less-than-thorough showers can result in a disagreeable penis smell. Poor grooming leads to a buildup of oil, dirt, and sweat which then leads to irritation, infection, and funky odors. To make matters worse, men who are not circumcised can experience discomfort and irritation on top of the funk if they don’t properly clean the smegma from below their foreskin.
2) Smegma – Smegma is so unforgivably odoriferous that it gets its own category. A nasty mix of dead skin cells, sebum, and moisture, smegma can make a visitor go from yes to NO in seconds. It hides in the folds of the foreskin and is a common concern for uncircumcised men. It commonly looks like white gunk on the penis. Now, in normal amounts, it’s a natural lubricant for sex. Whenever a bunch builds up though, it invades the surrounding air with a dead-fish smell.
3) Balanitis – When the head of the penis is inflamed in addition to wafting an offending odor, it may be balanitis. It can rear its ugly head (pun intended) as a result of anything from poor hygiene to psoriasis to unprotected sex. Other symptoms include redness, fluid buildup, swelling, and a burning sensation when urinating.
4) Yeast infection -Yeast naturally occurs in the body, but when there’s a change in body chemistry or environment, yeast can grow wildly and cause big problems. This can lead to a disagreeable smell, inflamed skin, and a lumpy white discharge. Seek medical attention immediately for relief.
5) Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) -UTIs happen when a part of the urinary tract is infected by a bacteria or virus. If a man experiences a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy or pink urine, and a persistent urge to urinate in addition to a weird penis smell, he may have a UTI and should see his physician immediately.
6) Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) – There are several STIs that are associated with a foul penis smell. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are both linked to an unfriendly penis odor. Chlamydia shows up with other symptoms such as testicle pain and swelling, irregular discharge, and a burning sensation when urinating. Gonorrhea, however, doesn’t always display secondary symptoms. Both STIs require immediate medical care.
Freshen Up
Above all things, keep the body and especially the penis clean. Regularly clean with warm water and a gentle cleanser such as baby wash or shampoo. Avoid any harsh cleansers or soaps that can cause the penis irritation or inflammation. Also, be sure to practice safe sex to avoid contracting STIs and urinate after sex to release any bacteria or excess bodily fluids. If a foul penis smell continues, see a doctor for tests.
In addition to daily cleansing, use a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) on the penis for optimal health and freshness. Nutrient cremes like these which are expressly for the penis should contain natural moisturizers, such as Shea butter and vitamin E. Also, use a moisturizer with vitamin A that acts as a natural antibacterial agent attacking disagreeable penis odors caused by bacteria that thrive in the warm, dark genital area.
