Penis Odor and Possible Diseases

Sometime men feel fishy odor down there. A foul or fishy odor is a big concern for any man as it might be a sign of an underlying condition. Besides the possibility of a health issue, if you smell bad down there, it can affect the quality of your physical and sexual relationships.

Penis odor can be controlled with proper hygiene and use of reasonably breathable undergarments. Men who are not circumcised can sometimes develop skin cells beneath their foreskin because of lack of proper hygiene and cleanliness that may lead to an infection, causing smelly penis. If you notice that smell is increasing or becoming stronger then this could be a cause of concern.

Primarily we believe that this problem arises due to the lack of proper hygiene habits but there are some other reasons as well besides poor hygiene. Here we will be discussing some of the primary causes of smelly penis.

Possible diseases that causes penis odor

1. Jock itch:

Jock itch is a fungal infection that can lead to smelly penis. Other symptoms of this infection are itching and redness of groin. Antifungal or antibacterial cream is usually prescribed for such infections.

2. Bacterial overgrowth:

Bacteria are usually found on the moist parts of your skin like groin due to natural sweat and oil secretions. This might also cause peculiar odor in the penis region.

3. UTI (urinary tract infection):

Sometimes parts of urinary tract are infected due to colonization of a fungal, viral or bacterial agent (typically E. coli in urinary system). UTI can also causes smell in the penis or groin.  The primary causes of UTI includes sexual activities, prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, stones in kidney, retaining urine, or use of indwelling urinary catheter.

Symptoms include:

• Sudden urge to pee even if you only pass small amount of pee.
• Your urine is cloudy or pink in color.
• Burning sensation while passing urine.

4. Smegma:

Having poor hygiene habits or improper cleanliness of your genital region (or penis) may frequently lead to the development of a cheesy looking matter known as Smegma under your penis.  Smegma refers to accumulation of oil, moisture and skin cells on the base of penis and underneath the foreskin (especially in uncircumcised men). Although Smegma is a natural lubricant that helps in keeping your penis moist, but when a large amount of Smegma builds up because of extreme sweating and poor hygiene condition then small white mass is created which is smelly due to overgrowth of bacteria.

Symptoms include:

• Redness or itching.
• Swelling
• Irritation
• The movement of foreskin is difficult.

 

5. Balanitis:

Balanitis is the inflammation of the base or head of penis. Sometimes foreskin also swells and becomes inflamed (also known as balanoposthitis). It occurs due to the poor hygiene condition, unprotected sex, building up of Smegma if not treated on time, any infection, skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis etc, and due to use of perfumed soaps. The Balanitis makes your penis smelly.

Symptoms include:

• Burning sensation while passing urine.
• Accumulation of fluid beneath foreskin.
• Itching or redness
• Swelling.

 

6. Yeast infection:

Yeast infection occurs when a fungus that is called Candida fungus grows uncontrollably on your penis. This excessive growth of fungus on penis gives it foul smell. It can be transmitted through your partner who already has this yeast infection. Other causes include poor hygiene specially when not circumcised. If not treated properly it will cause further severe infection.

Symptom includes:

• White mass or chunks on penis.
• Extremely moist and shiny penis skin.
• Burning sensation.
• Itchy and red penis.

7. Sexually transmitted infections:

• Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is STD (sexually transmitted disease). It is the infection that is caused due to the contact with vagina or anus. It makes your penis smelly and sore. Due to gonorrhea an abnormal yellowish or green discharge produce from your penis tip. This discharge makes your penis smelly.

Symptom includes:

• Abnormal smelly discharge.
• Pain and burning sensation while urinating.
• Inflammation of penis.

 

• Chlamydia:

Chlamydia is also sexually transmitted infection and spread through the sexual contact with the person who is already suffering from this infection. Chlamydia causes your penis to emit white, cloudy or puss like discharge.

Symptoms include:

Chlamydia not necessarily produces any symptoms but if you notice following conditions you should consult your physician.

• Pain in testicles and sore penis.
• Abnormal smelly discharge.
• Burning sensation while passing urine.

8. Non-gonococcal urethritis

NGU occurs if urethra gets inflamed. Urethra is a tube from bladder to penis and is responsible for exiting urine from your body. It is not caused by gonorrhea that’s why it is called non gonococcal urethritis. NGU is a result of bacteria and sometimes viruses that transmitted through sex. It makes your penis smelly and sore.

Symptoms include:

• Sore penis.
• Smelly and foul discharge.
• Irritation.

 

9. Ketonuria:

This occurs due to starvation or diabetes. In this condition urine consists of large amount of ketone bodies that make urine extremely smelly. And it also makes your penis to smell.

Prevention:

Smelly penis is very disgusting and embarrassing for any men. You can take some precautionary measures to prevent smelly penis

• If you are not circumcised then try to pull the foreskin above your penis before passing urine. So that urine does not remain underneath and causing irritation.
• Good hygiene is necessary. You should clean your penis and take bath regularly. Uncircumcised men should clean the foreskin to prevent infection.
• Dry your penis after wash as moist penis also causes infection. But don’t rub it too hardly or with cloth.
• Wear clean and comfortable cotton underwear. Your underwear should be loose so that air passes by and make your groin area able to breathe. It reduces the sweat and buildup of bacteria that causes infection and smell.
• Public hair should be trim. If public hairs are not trimmed properly they hold bacteria, moisture and dirt that become the reason of infection.
• Don’t sex with the person who is suffering with STI.
• Wash your penis after sex.
• Try to avoid lubricants.

Proper hygiene generally eliminate penis odor. But if you notice that odor is growing stronger with some other symptoms like itching, burning sensation when you pee, white chunks or pain then you should consult your doctor.