#penis odor

Penis odor is something that worries all men, as all men eventually have to deal with it. At some point, every man has caught a whiff of himself “down there” and had a moment of pause to consider where that unpleasant odor might have come from! The good news is that for men who suffer from sudden penis odor, a change to better penis care can eliminate the problem.

Good Penis Care to Fight Penis Odor

When a man has that awful scent wafting up from his trousers, he can always turn to better penis care to help him alleviate the issue. Here are some ways he can step up his penis care regimen and help ensure that he’s not dealing with penis odor on a daily basis.

1) Regular washing. Every man knows the importance of regularly washing the penis and surrounding area. But for some men, a daily wash might not be enough. Depending on body chemistry, a man might need to wash twice a day to keep odor problems to a minimum. He should use a mild cleanser for sensitive skin, pat the skin dry after each shower, and follow up with a good penis health oil.

2) Manscaping. The hair down there can keep penis odor alive. Bacteria love to cling to hair, and it might not be easy to remove all of it from the hair even with a good washing. That means that the bacteria can continue to grow and form the odor that men and their partners hate to discover. Those with serious penis odor issues might want to include trimming and shaving in their penis care routine.

3) Wearing the right underwear. The layers of fabric a penis is trapped under throughout the day don’t do it any favors in regard to penis odor. The natural bacteria on the skin multiply in dark, warm places, which is exactly what the penis is dealing with. A man can alleviate this through wearing cotton underwear that allows his penis to “breathe” during the day.

4) Checking in with the doc. Occasionally, a man who has no problems with penis odor before will notice a serious problem with the scent of his body, even though he has ramped up his penis care efforts. In that case, it’s important to see the doctor. Some common conditions, like a yeast infection, can cause a very unpleasant odor that can only be resolved through treatment.

5) Experiment with cleansers. If one cleanser is just not doing the job, a man should consider switching to a new one. He should always avoid anything that includes artificial fragrance, although it might be tempting. The penis is sensitive enough that the added fragrance could cause problems.

6) Turn to baby powder. Look for a baby powder that is free of cornstarch and talc – those are not things a man wants around his junk. The baby powder can help a man smell clean while helping to absorb the sweat that can activate the natural bacteria.

7) Let it all hang out. When a man is dealing with penis odor, going all natural around the house can help fight the problem. When in private, simply walk around with nothing on. When sitting down, place a towel on the surface of the chair or couch to prevent the penis from touching the material there. Doing this for even a short time each day can work wonders for airing things out.

Whew!  If a guy needs to open a window every time he takes off his pants, it’s fair to say that he has a serious penis odor problem. As penis health issues go, penis odor is one of the more common.  Because a person is less aware of his own bodily aromas, he may very well not realize he has a bad penis odor problem – but his partner does, and that can impact said partner’s willingness to engage in sex (especially, though not exclusively, oral sex). And although there can be multiple reasons for penis odor, one of them boils down to the simple presence of apocrine glands.

Apo-what glands?

A gland is a group of cells that get together to take substances (like hormones) and synthesize them so they can be released into the bloodstream or elsewhere, such as on top of the skin. Most sweat glands in humans are called eccrine glands, but there is another class of sweat glands – the apocrine glands – which cover less of the body, and are especially noteworthy for being the glands found in the armpits and the crotch.

What’s different about apocrine glands? Well, a number of things, but one of their most distinctive characteristics is that, in the armpits and crotch, the sweat that they produce has a profound odor.  The eccrine glands on your forearms, for example, don’t have the same powerful odor as the apocrine glands near your penis.

Interestingly, when a person is still a fetus, most of their glands are apocrine; they only get changed out to mostly eccrine after five or six months.  And although a person is born with smell-ready apocrine glands just all set to produce painfully pungent odors, they don’t start doing this until hormonal changes set in during puberty.

Bacteria

Actually, it’s wrong to say that the apocrine glands produce really rank smelling sweat; the fluid they secrete is actually odorless. But it is highly attractive to bacteria which feed on it and produce the breath-taking penis odor that the partners of far too many men are familiar with.

Okay, so it’s the presence of apocrine glands on and near the penis and balls that acts as a siren call to bacteria which in turn brings about a stench state in the crotch. What’s a guy supposed to do?

The apocrine glands play an important role in the body, so even if it were possible to easily get rid of them, a guy shouldn’t do it. Therefore, it pays to take steps to decrease or eliminate the sweat and/or the bacteria that feed on the sweat. There are several ways of doing this.

- Shower or bathe. This shouldn’t need to be said (yet somehow it still does need to be), but men, it’s important to wash the penis and balls regularly.  Many men need to shower every day – and those who exert a lot of physical energy and therefore sweat a lot (by going to the gym, lifting heavy objects, running, etc.) may need to shower more than once  day.

- Wear loose-fitting underwear and trousers.  Tighty whiteys may show off the package, but they also up the heat quotient and cause more sweat. Loose fitting cotton boxers are a better option when fighting penis odor.

Imagine this: All warm and clean from the shower, a man gets dressed and gets ready for whatever comes next. Maybe he’s going to work. Maybe it’s a date. Whatever it is, just an hour or so after that shower, he sits down and notices…it. That stench. That awful smell wafting up from his trousers. It’s embarrassing penis odor.

He has no idea why it’s there. He showered! He’s clean! So why does he have that unpleasant odor hanging around? A man can have a smelly penis no matter how meticulously he washes it if he doesn’t follow a few very clear instructions. Let’s take a look at what causes penis odor and how to eliminate that very unsavory problem.

What Causes Penis Odor?

That smelly penis needs a little more care to be clean and fresh. But what’s a guy doing wrong? Let’s take a look.

- He’s not cleaning well. An uncircumcised man has the unique problem of smegma, which is a buildup of dead skin cells and bodily fluids. It builds up under the foreskin and can create a white, cheesy paste. This smells terrible, thanks to the bacteria that are wildly attracted to it. Those bacteria can lead to that smelly penis problem, so it’s important to clean underneath the foreskin every day – at least once a day, with a gentle soap and water.

- He’s sweating a lot. A man who sweats a lot can start to collect sweat around the groin, which is not a good sign for penis odor. Bacteria love sweat, and they will set up shop immediately. The stale scent of sweat can linger on a man’s clothes and skin for hours, and his penis might take the brunt of that odor. That’s why it’s so important to shower regularly, and if the problem is really bad, carry disposable deodorant wipes to use in the bathroom from time to time.

- He’s choosing the wrong clothes. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester or leather, can trap in sweat, natural body secretions and all sorts of awful odors. When wearing leather pants, for instance, a man isn’t letting his penis breathe, and that can lead to odor. Look for natural, breathable fabrics that will wick away moisture and help cut down on odor. Cotton is always a good bet.

- He has a yeast infection. Though this is often attributed to women, yeast infections can happen in men, too. It’s an overgrowth of Candida yeast, which is always present but never causes a problem until it gets out of control. Once it does, it can cause serious itching, redness, and a very distinctive – and off-putting – penis odor.

- He has really dry penis skin. Though it might seem that a smelly penis doesn’t really have anything in common with a dry penis, the fact is that the dryness makes it easier for odor to take hold. How? Really dry skin can lead to microscopic cracks and fissures, which become a haven for bacteria. They settle in and begin causing penis odor.

- He doesn’t take enough showers. Though one shower a day is enough for most people, some men simply need more than that. A shower in the morning and in the evening might do the trick. It also pays to get a shower right after a gym session or a frisky sexual adventure. Then let the genital area thoroughly air-dry before putting on any clothing. This helps ensure no moisture down there, which can help avoid yeast and other fungal infections.

Good Penis Care for a Smelly Penis

Diet fads come and go with alarming regularity – which isn’t to say they don’t necessarily have benefits, merely that there always seems to be some new diet coming along that attracts a great deal of attention for at least a while. Recently, the keto (for ketogenic) diet popped up on the scene and went viral quickly. And as it has become more popular, questions have been raised about whether it might not contribute to any penis health issues – most prominently, to penis odor.

About the keto diet

The basic premise behind the keto diet is not really new and has formed the basis of many previous diet trends. Essentially, the idea is to cut down on carbohydrates and increase proteins and fats. When the body is absorbing only small amounts of carbohydrates, it has less of the readily-available ingredients needed for blood sugar levels. With few carbohydrates to get energy from, it switches to fats and proteins instead. And when it does that, it causes a person to lose more weight.

Ketosis is the name for the process of getting energy from fats and proteins, hence the name the keto diet.

Distinct smell

It didn’t take too long for people to notice that many dedicated keto dieters had developed a certain aroma about them.  That’s due to several factors, one being that the keto diet brings about the increase in the body of ketones, formed when fat is burned for fuel. This is a natural process, but one of the by-products of this is an increase in the creation of acetone, the same ingredient found in nail polish remover. When a person sweats or urinates, they may exude an acetone-like odor.

In addition, burning stored body fat means that any toxins that have been buried in that fat will now be released, and their unique smells will also be added to the sweaty mix.

Finally, the keto diet is also breaking down proteins, and they have a tendency to release a distinctive odor as well, one somewhat like ammonia.

And all of these smells can mix it up in the crotch, where the extra heat from two layers of clothing creates a warm, moist environment that’s perfect for smells. And when a man removes his underwear, an exceptionally strong penis odor may result.

Temporary

Of course, every person’s body is different and metabolizes things differently. Some people on the keto diet may register only a slight increase in discernible penis odor, while others may find themselves with a penis odor situation that is dire indeed.

The good news is that for many people, the odor situation is temporary. If a person sticks to the keto diet, after a few weeks or months, for most people the body will have become used to the new diet and the extreme odor will abate.

In the meantime, men need to take steps to decrease the penis odor by as much as they can. Clearly, proper washing with a mild soap every day is helpful, or more often if needed – and especially if one is physically active and sweats a lot. It also helps to “air out” the penis as much as possible, perhaps by sleeping in the nude.

Nothing says, “Adios” to romance like a smelly penis. Having a member that smells worse than Limburger can not only burn your nostrils but also can put the brakes on any potential intimacy. Many things can cause penis odor, but usually the cause includes some combination of dead skin cells, debris, sweat, and leftover bodily fluids. Trap all that in pubic hair and tighty whiteys, and you get a pretty rank-smelling package. But fear not! There are many ways to make sure a smelly penis doesn't plague you. Take 1 or more of these 7 tips for preventing penis odor.

Tip #1: Good Grooming

The easiest way to keep a smelly penis at bay is to engage in a thorough but straightforward daily grooming regimen. Use warm water and a mild cleanser to wash the groin. Be sure to get into every crease and crevice, gently pulling back foreskin and washing well. Rinse fully and air dry if possible. If it’s too chilly or you’re in a hurry, pat dry with a warm, soft towel. This ritual should be repeated daily, or more often in the case of sexual or athletic activities.

Tip #2: Fix the Funk

If a smelly penis is lurking, inspect the area for smegma. This foul, off-white, chunky discharge can really stink up the joint. It can be anywhere, but it especially loves to nestle into the foreskin. Left there too long, it will cause not only a smelly penis, but also infection and inflammation. To get rid of smegma, wash the area thoroughly and rinse well. Repeat until gone.

Tip #3: Take a Powder

Before stepping into your skivvies, dust a little powder on the penis and sack. The powder absorbs wetness and odors. It also makes the skin feel silky and refreshing. Like all things, try for the most natural product possible. Also, be sure to wash your hands before getting dressed, or you'll have white handprints all over your workday best.

Tip #4: Wipe It

When things get hot and moist, tame the tang by swiping a wipe on your junk. Using a natural wipe, baby or otherwise, is a great way to freshen up and reduce penis odor. It also just feels nice. Tuck single-use wipes in your pocket, work bag, or desk drawer to get a nice pick-me-up and invigorate the area, while preventing penis odor.

Tip #5: Trim the Hedges

Hair protects the penis, but it also catches everything that comes near it, like bodily fluids, sweat, dirt, and more. These not-so-appetizing combinations can lead to a pretty intense stench. Giving the area a nice trim reduces how much can be snared and smelly later. Also, a little trim makes the trunk look bigger, so double bonus for you!

Tip #6: Go Commando

An easy tip to incorporate means going to bed with less. Less on your body, that is. The groin is a damp, dark place that breeds bacteria and stink. By sleeping in the nude and letting it all hang out, it gives the area some much-needed ventilation. This also reduces moisture and brings balance to the area.

Tip #7: Take the Extra Step

Guys who are conscientious about penis health often worry about the “big picture” issues (eg, erectile function, sexually transmitted infections, etc.) while perhaps not always being aware of the importance of some of the “smaller” issues – such as penis odor. This is understandable, of course, but just because penis odor doesn’t have the same dire consequences as a sexually transmitted infection doesn’t mean it should be ignored. One area that can be especially tricky is post-sex penis odor. Knowing how to approach this issue can be valuable to a man.

It’s a thing

First, it’s important to acknowledge that most men are going to experience some degree of post-sex penis odor, especially when it’s penetrative sex (that is, vaginal or anal).

Perhaps if people were all nudists and spent 24 hours a day unclothed, penis odor (and for that matter vaginal odor) might not be a real issue. If the penis and balls were allowed to “air out” all day, they would have less-strong odors attached to them. But the fact is that most guys keep their penis and balls wrapped up under 2 layers of clothing, creating a heat situation that inspires sweating, which produces odor. In addition, if a guy doesn’t manscape, he has a lot of hair adding extra insulation and increasing the heat quotient.

But most guys are not nudists and so they have an inclination toward a strong penis odor. This is exacerbated during sex, as the interpersonal contact adds another person’s odors (often vaginal or anal) into the mix – and the odor seeps through even when condoms are employed. In addition, sex is a sweaty business, so both the man’s sweat and his partner’s sweat get mixed together.

So sex is an aromatic endeavor. What can a guy then do about his post-sex penis odor?

Some steps to follow

Here are a few tips to consider.

- Go in clean. Odors are going to get mixed in during a healthy bout of sex, but if a guy goes in with a penis as odor-free as possible, he’s going to be ahead of the game. Regular daily washing is of course important, but he should add in one last “extra” wash before starting out on his date. In addition, he needs to be sure that he’s wearing totally fresh underwear and, if possible, that the pants he wears for his date are not the same ones he has worn and sweated in all day.

- Manscape. Not every guy feels comfortable with the idea of shaving or even trimming his pubic hair, but for many this can make a big difference. In addition to the thick hair creating more heat, the hair itself catches and holds onto the sweat, rather than letting it roll off of the smooth-shaven skin.

- Talk to partner. Sometimes a partner also has a vaginal odor issue that transfers to her partner. If the relationship is strong enough and the man is sensitive enough, it can help to bring this up and discuss how to address it.

- Wash soon after. Cleaning the penis as soon after sex as possible helps prevent penis odor from settling in. If a guy feels awkward leaving the bed and tending to this, he might suggest that it would be sexy for he and his partner to have a little post-sex shower together.

There are lots of reasons a man may have a smelly penis. Sometimes, it’s an infection like a yeast infection, urinary tract infection, or urethritis, which can also come with a side of serious discomfort and will need some prescription intervention. Partner transmitted infections can also be to blame as well. However, the simplest and most common reason men have penis odor is the most obvious, they either don’t regularly clean their penis, or they just don’t do it well. Lax hygiene can lead to infections and other things like smegma, balanitis, and foreskin issues.

Here's the good news. There are many ways to keep a penis smelling fresh as a morning mist with a little attention to detail and a few habits that are easy to make. Here are ten tips every man should know for keeping his junk smelling fresh and inviting. They range from hints on hygiene to safe sex practices and other grooming go-to’s that all men should know and incorporate into their wellness habits.

Penis Odor Buster #1: Hang Loose and Free When Possible

Switch out those tight, polyblend skivvies. Switch to loose cotton underwear, so the penis has room to breathe and air out. This cuts down sweat, which cuts down the stink. Free ball at night as well to give the snake some time out of its cage each day to double down on the freshness.

Penis Odor Buster #2: Wash Warm and Wash Often

Clean the penis frequently with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Rinse thoroughly, and pat or air dry as rubbing can cause irritation.

Penis Odor Buster #3: Be Meticulous

When cleaning the penis, pay attention to every fold. If uncircumcised, retract the foreskin and gently clean the area to prevent smegma buildup.

Penis Odor Buster #4: Canvas the Whole Area

While it’s tempting just to wash the penis with intent and let the water cascade down the rest, don’t resist spending some QT cleansing the entire reproductive area from the front to the back and all the sides.  Penis odors love to hide and multiply in dark, warm spaces.

Penis Odor Buster #5: Tend the Garden

Keep the pubic hair trimmed or shaved. Longer hair down there can clasp onto stinky smells from moisture, bacteria, dirt, and leftover emissions.

Penis Odor Buster #6: Talk it Out

Have an open dialogue with intimate partners about sensual health before getting busy. Do not engage in intimacy with a person who has a rash, discharge, or other symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Penis Odor Buster #7: The Other Infections

Carryover from #6, do not have any kind of intimate contact with someone who has a UTI or yeast infection as they are also communicable. Generally, both have a funky, foul odor attached to them as well as a discharge that can be milky or chunky and white.

Penis Odor Buster #8: Oral Safety

When performing oral, use a barrier method. If they smell funky in their spot, decline. Many infections can be transmitted orally.

Penis Odor Buster #9: Protect Proficiently

When sensually active, use condom and water-based lubes to prevent infection, bacterial invasion, and STIs. Avoid anything that is oil-based or flavored; not only can it introduce bacteria, it can also lead to irritation and infection.

Penis Odor Buster #10: Freshen Up

What’s that smell? Is it Limburger or just a man’s penis? Penis odor is something every man deals with, and he should take every measure to prevent a stinky penis. Every man needs to know what causes it and how to avoid it in the future. Read on to find out 6 easy tricks to ban odor from the boner.

What Causes Penis Odor?

Several things can cause penis odor, but thankfully, they are easy to treat and prevent. Here are a few of the most common causes:

- Lax hygiene

- Smegma

- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

- Balanitis

- Yeast infection

- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Now, let’s talk about how a man can prevent penis odor.

Prevent Penis Odor Rule #1: Give It Some Air

Aside from men currently residing in nudist colonies, most men pack their penis in tight undies and trousers each day for hours on end without any airflow. All this time in a warm, sweaty atmosphere can lead to a very stinky penis. A man needs to loosen things up to air out the funk.

- Buy underwear made of cotton, bamboo, or dry-wicking material.

- Favor looser Underoos instead of tight ones (this allows the penis some air and also aids in less compression, which preserves penile sensitivity).

- Say goodbye to the nut-huggers and too-skinny jeans (or at least wear them less often and for less time).

Prevent Penis Odor Rule #2: A Shake Is Not Enough

It’s time to stop relying on a shake alone to finish off after a good wee. Instead, wipe off the penis with toilet paper, or those little drops of urine that dribbled instead of shook will find a home in a man’s Hanes. The already warm, moist environment accepts them, and then the penis stews in that for a few hours, resulting in some gag-worthy penis odor.

Pro Note: If a man is not circumcised, he should be sure to pull back the foreskin when wiping the penis to prevent urine from irritating the penis and causing a big stink.

Prevent Penis Odor Rule #3: Infection Correction

Of course, an STI can lead to the odorous stench in a man’s undercarriage, but other infections like UTIs and yeast infections also can lead to a stinky penis. UTIs occur when bacteria have found their way to the urinary tract, often resulting in a fishy smell. Yeast infections materialize when there is an overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast in the body that makes the penis smell kind of moldy.

See a doctor for diagnosis and treatment for all infections.

Prevent Penis Odor Rule #4: Get a Haircut

That lower beard could be housing a bunch of things like bacteria, oils, urine, and other fluids and emissions. Take a weed-whacker to the brush below and trim that love garden up. It’ll remove odors and clear a path for visitors.

Prevent Penis Odor Rule #5: The Post-coital Clean

After a man shows his O-face, he should promise a cuddle and then head immediately to the bathroom. Take off the condom and dispose of it immediately if that applies. Then, urinate to remove bacteria from the inner area and then give the penis a quick, but thorough, cleaning to remove any bacteria, sweat, and love foam on the outside.

Prevent Penis Odor Rule #6: Up your hygiene game (or get one!)

It seems like an essential thing, but there are plenty of dudes who skip it (those who just let the water trickle on the penis during a shower) or do it half-heartedly: it’s cleaning the member. Wash the penis daily (more if exercising or sexing) with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Pull back the foreskin and give the whole area a soft, yet comprehensive washing. When done, rinse well. Pat dry with a soft towel (never rub) or air dry.