Sometimes, there’s just no getting around it – no matter how hard a guy tries to keep himself clean and shower-fresh, there is an unmistakable fishy odor wafting up from his jeans. This can be an even bigger problem during the warmer months of the year, but sweat is not the only cause of a smelly penis. Men who continuously notice that funky smell – or who have had it brought to their attention by someone else – should be aware of the following causes of unpleasant penile odor, as well as the penis care techniques that can help them to eliminate it.
1) Smegma. In uncircumcised men, the underside of the foreskin produces its own lubricant to help protect the glans and to prevent chafing. This substance combines with sloughed-off skin cells and other types of body fluids to produce a whitish, cheesy substance that can accumulate under the foreskin. While the substance itself is harmless and completely normal, it is hugely attractive to bacteria that consider it a food source; these bacteria are actually the source of the fishy odor that is most often associated with a guy’s junk. It is not always easy to clean away the smegma, especially for men who have difficulty retracting the foreskin, but men should give it their best effort if they want to cut down on the smell.
2) Sweat. Obviously, men sweat, and perspiration is a well-known source of body odor. The smell can become especially noticeable in the groin area, as the folds of skin rubbing together tend to exacerbate sweating.
3) Clothing choices. Natural, breathable fabrics like cotton can wick perspiration away from the skin, allowing it to dry more quickly and reducing the unpleasant smell. Synthetic fabrics may be slinky and sexy, but they can trap odors and increase the natural smells being produced down there.
4) Dry skin. Skin that is parched and dehydrated tends to develop microscopic cracks that provide a haven for bacteria; keeping the skin moisturized can actively help to cut down on unpleasant aromas.
5) Yeast infection. Candida yeast is always present in the body and usually doesn’t cause problems, but changes in body chemistry can cause a rapid growth phase that triggers the symptoms of a yeast infection. This issue is more common in women, but it can affect men as well, resulting in a distinctive, yeasty odor.
How to Eliminate the Stink
Although most bystanders are not likely to be pressing their faces close to a man’s crotch, a smelly penis can become noticeable, at least to those who are willing to get up close and personal. Therefore, common courtesy dictates that men do what they can to keep things shower-fresh downstairs.
This effort should start with a daily shower – maybe even two, especially on sweaty days. A shower is pretty straightforward, but a couple of pointers here may actually be necessary to prevent mistakes that can contribute to odor.
– The water should be warm, not hot. Too-hot water can leach lubricating body oils from the skin, leaving it dry and parched, which provides an attractive environment for odor-causing bacteria.
– A mild, sensitive-skin cleanser should be used; work up a good lather and use the fingers, not a rough cloth, to concentrate on every nook, cranny and fold of the skin. Uncut men – be sure to peel back the hood and wipe away any smegma from underneath; as already mentioned, this is a significant source of penile stench.
– Rinse away all traces of cleanser; leaving any suds behind can spell trouble, as dried-on cleansers can irritate the sensitive skin down there.
– Pat the area dry gently, and then – this is important – wait a while for the skin to finish drying in the air before putting on clothing. Covering skin that is still damp from a shower with layers of clothing can create the perfect environment for yeast overgrowth, as well as other types of fungal infections.
What men should NOT do to prevent odors is to apply talcum powder, deodorants or fragrances to the area. All of these can cause serious irritation and, in the end, they do nothing to prevent or eliminate the issues that lead to a smelly tool.
On the other hand, men may choose to supplement their cleansing routine with a vitamin-fortified penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Vitamin A, a natural antibacterial agent, is said to help eliminate the bacteria that can generate that fishy odor, so look for a cream that includes it in the ingredient list.
