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What Causes Foul Odor In The Penis?

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Posted on Mon, 8 May 2017
Question: Dr. XXXXXXX

My penis has had a bad smell lately and it is very embarrassing.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks, XXXX


doctor
Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Management to bad odor from penis detailed below

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank You for the query

I have gone through your question and understand your concern

The most common reason for bad odor from the penis is due to accumulation of smegma (secretions containing lubricant substance and dead skin cells) underneath the foreskin if you are uncircumscribed.
In order to clear up the smegma and prevent bad smell, you have to pull up your foreskin (if not circumscribed) and wash the area thoroughly with mild antibacterial soap and water at least twice daily. After washing the area, replace the foreskin back into original position.Otherwise, it can lead to complications like paraphimosis, where it becomes difficult and painful to pull down foreskin to its original position.

Keep the area dry. Use loose-fitting cotton underwear. Shave pubic hair or trim the pubic hair.Pubic hair can trap moisture and cause bacterial overgrowth and bad odor. Use can also include probiotic rich food in diet like yogurt as it helps to maintain normal bacterial flora.
Try cleaning the area thoroughly with antibacterial soap like Cetaphil antibacterial bar. You can also use pleasant smelling lotions.

Other causes of bad odor can be a fungal infection like jock itch or bacterial overgrowth in skin. But infections usually have associated symptoms like itching, redness etc

If the problem still persists, follow up with a primary care provider to rule out bacterial/ fungal infections as the cause of your symptoms. Infections are confirmed by taking swab from the area and culture of swab and require treatment with antibiotics/ antifungals.

Hope I was able to help you
Please address further questions/concerns
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (1 hour later)
Thank you for the detailed reaponse, I really appreciate it.

I'm from an area where circumcision is the norm so I'm not familiar with foreskin or smegma. I've always assumed I was circumcised but I honestly don't really know what this means.

I don't have excessive amounts of pubic hair, I haven't had any redness or itching, and I always wear loose-fitting underwear so I'm not really sure what to think.

Can you please help

?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Use Cetaphil antibacterial soap, Lotrimin ointment, keep area dry

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for following up

The foreskin is the fold of skin that covers that covers the head (tip) of the penis.
The foreskin can be retracted back. Circumcision is surgical removal of the foreskin.

If you are circumcised, there will be no accumulation smegma. However, it is still important to wash your genital area with Cetaphil antibacterial soap and water at least twice daily to prevent bacterial overgrowth which can cause bad odor.

After washing the area, make sure that you XXXXXXX the area dry with clean towel.
You can also use scented lotions to prevent bad odor.

Washing your penis with baking soda and water have also shown to reduce the foul smell in some men.

Foul smelling from penis very common and mostly not due to any disease.

However, if the above-mentioned remedies do not seem to be working for you, Bacterial/ fungal infections should be looked for as the cause of symptoms. Some individuals can have underlying infections without any symptoms like itching or redness.

You can try Lotrimin antifungal cream for 2 weeks. Mild fungal infections will clear up.


Hope I was able to help you.
Please address further questions here.

Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (40 minutes later)
Dr. Lekshmi,

I apologize, I probably should've done this from the start but I attached a picture for reference. Does this make it easier?

I washed with some antibacterial soap but am a little nervous about applying the ointment. Do I apply i everywhere and will it sting at all?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Recommendations to control bad odor detailed below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank You for attaching the picture
It definitely gives me a clearer idea so that I can give you accurate recommendations.

The picture shows that you are not circumcised. This means that you have to retract (pull back) the skin which covers the tip of penis (also called the foreskin) while cleaning the area.
Pull back the foreskin, clean are with antibacterial soap and water, twice daily.
Also, wash with baking soda and water twice a week.
After washing reposition the retracted skin back to its original position.

The skin covering your groin area and penis do not show any indication of infection.
I would suggest that you do not need to use Lotrimin Ointment at this point.

Keep the area clean and dry. Use perfumed lotions. Follow other recommendations I mentioned in above answers.
If bad odor still persists after 2 weeks of trying above mentioned measures, consider using Lotrimin ointment.
Lotrimin Ointment can be applied on the skin of penis, groin area and upper inner thighs which are common location of fungal infection.Lotrimin Ointment does not usually cause skin irritation unless you are allergic to it. If so, immediately discontinue using Lotrimin.
Try Lotrimin ointment for a week and if bad odor still persist after trying all thus, follow-up with a primary care provider to rule out other infection.

Hope I was able to help you
Please address further questions here
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (8 hours later)
Thank you so much for you help. I did not realize the skin covering the tip of my penis was able to be pulled back. I am already noticing a great improvement.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Glad I was able to help you
Thank you for trusting us
We are here to answer your questions and help you
Please address further questions/concerns here
If you do not need further clarifications, please rate and close this discussion
Wishing you good health
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3808 Questions

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What Causes Foul Odor In The Penis?

Brief Answer: Management to bad odor from penis detailed below Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thank You for the query I have gone through your question and understand your concern The most common reason for bad odor from the penis is due to accumulation of smegma (secretions containing lubricant substance and dead skin cells) underneath the foreskin if you are uncircumscribed. In order to clear up the smegma and prevent bad smell, you have to pull up your foreskin (if not circumscribed) and wash the area thoroughly with mild antibacterial soap and water at least twice daily. After washing the area, replace the foreskin back into original position.Otherwise, it can lead to complications like paraphimosis, where it becomes difficult and painful to pull down foreskin to its original position. Keep the area dry. Use loose-fitting cotton underwear. Shave pubic hair or trim the pubic hair.Pubic hair can trap moisture and cause bacterial overgrowth and bad odor. Use can also include probiotic rich food in diet like yogurt as it helps to maintain normal bacterial flora. Try cleaning the area thoroughly with antibacterial soap like Cetaphil antibacterial bar. You can also use pleasant smelling lotions. Other causes of bad odor can be a fungal infection like jock itch or bacterial overgrowth in skin. But infections usually have associated symptoms like itching, redness etc If the problem still persists, follow up with a primary care provider to rule out bacterial/ fungal infections as the cause of your symptoms. Infections are confirmed by taking swab from the area and culture of swab and require treatment with antibiotics/ antifungals. Hope I was able to help you Please address further questions/concerns Regards, Dr.Lekshmi