Bad intimate odor: causes and remedies

A problem that afflicts many men (and their partners) is that of bad intimate odor that pervades our most precious jewels and first of all we feel obliged to dispel a big myth: no, the smell is not "natural", but is only a symptom of inadequate intimate hygiene or genitourinary diseases; the penis itself has a neutral odor, if cared for.

Let's find out together what the causes and best remedies may be, so you never have to find yourself in unpleasant situations again.

What could be the causes?

The most common cause is, quite simply, poor and incorrect personal hygiene , which can often lead to the formation of smegma , a viscous and whitish substance composed of prostatic and sebaceous secretions combined with residues of seminal fluid and exfoliated cells from the most superficial layers of the epidermis (dead cells that detach from the glans and the foreskin) . This substance, which we can find near the glans or under the foreskin, is probably the primary cause of this discomfort and, if accumulated, could lead to the proliferation of bacteria that metabolize its protein and lipid components and produce smelly substances. Not only for the "stink" issue, but removing smegma is also important to prevent the stagnation of this matter from leading to local inflammation and bacterial proliferation .

The presence of smegma can also be due to intense sexual stimulation resulting from intercourse or masturbatory practices.

In this case, those who are circumcised can consider themselves safe, unlike those who have a foreskin that is too tight (phimosis), who will be more subject to this type of problem.

Another reason, as simple as it is annoying, could be the famous “ droplet ” that we men hate and that certainly doesn’t help to make the area smell better.

In more serious cases, however, these bad odors are attributable to chlamydia or male candidiasis infections, which can be responsible for the loss of whitish secretions from the penis. However, if you notice that these liquids become yellowish-green and are accompanied by symptoms such as burning, redness and swelling at the orifice of the penis, the best choice is to contact your doctor, because it could be gonococcal urethritis (also called gonorrhea or, more commonly, "drip").

What are the most effective remedies?

The best remedy for these unpleasant odors remains correct intimate hygiene , which must be done daily and to which the right amount of time and the right detergent must be dedicated : in fact, it is important that the latter is delicate (possibly organic and free from chemical agents) and respects the neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.5) of the male genitals.

It is therefore advisable to wash yourself at least twice a day and after each sexual intercourse or at the end of masturbation , lifting the glans to be sure to remove the secretions that collect in the balano-preputial sulcus. Since the skin of the penis is very thin and sensitive, wash it first and in this way you will not contaminate it with bacteria from other parts of the intimate area!

To avoid sexually transmitted diseases, it is also advisable to always use a condom .

Here are a series of additional small precautions that could help you prevent the formation of bad odors.

• During the urination phase (urine expulsion phase), always retract the foreskin to facilitate the complete expulsion of urine.
• After urinating, dry your penis completely, as a humid environment encourages bacterial growth.
• Always use cotton underwear to reduce sweating in the genital area.