Is this cause for concern?

It isn’t unusual for your penis to have an odor. But if you feel like the scent has changed or grown stronger, it may be a sign of an underlying condition.

Most conditions aren’t serious and can be easily treated. For example, men who are uncircumcised may develop skin cell buildup underneath their foreskin. This is often the result of poor hygiene and can lead to infection.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause an odor.

Keep reading to learn more about what may be causing your symptoms, other symptoms to watch for, and how you can find relief.

1. Smegma

Smegma refers to a buildup of moisture, oils, and skin cells around the shaft of the penis. It’s much more common under the foreskin if you’re uncircumcised.

The area under your foreskin normally needs lubrication from this mixture. When too much smegma builds up — because you sweat a lot or don’t wash your penis regularly — it can create smelly white chunks that can cause bacteria to grow.

If left untreated, your penis can become inflamed or infected.

What you can do

To clean smegma from your penis:

1. Pull back (retract) your foreskin.
2. Wash your penis with mild soap and water.
3. Rinse your penis.
4. Pat the penis dry. Don’t rub.
5. Once smegma has been cleaned, return your foreskin back over your penis.

Once smegma has been washed away, the smell should disappear. Repeat these steps once a day if smegma persists.

See your doctor if you notice the following symptoms:

a. redness
b. swelling
c. irritation
d. foreskin won’t pull back

2. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
UTIs occur when part of your urinary tract becomes infected by bacteria or a virus.

Infection is often caused by:

▪︎sexual activity
▪︎not draining all the urine from your bladder (urinary retention)
▪︎kidney stones
▪︎enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
diabetes
▪︎using a urinary catheter

If you develop a UTI, your penis may take on a fishy odor.

Other symptoms include:

▪︎a frequent need to pee, even if you don’t pass much urine when you go
▪︎a burning sensation when you pee cloudy or pink urine

You may be more likely Trusted Source to develop a UTI if you’re uncircumcised. UTIs aren’t always serious, but if untreated, they can lead to kidney infections.

What you can do
If you suspect a UTI, see your doctor. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as phenazopyridine (Azo), may help relieve pain and keep the infection under control until your appointment.

Once a UTI has been diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for the infection. Common options include:

▪︎fosfomycin (Monurol)
▪︎cephalexin (Keflex)
▪︎ nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)

If you get UTIs often, your doctor may recommend taking low doses of antibiotics over several months.

3. Yeast infection

Yeast infections (sometimes called thrush) happen when Candida fungus on your penis grows out of control. The fungus overgrowth can give your penis a “moldy” smell.

Other symptoms may include:

▪︎redness or irritation
▪︎itching or burning
▪︎areas of white, chunky material
▪︎abnormally moist, white, or shiny penis skin

Yeast infections can be caused by not washing your penis enough, especially if you’re uncircumcised. They can also spread through sex with a female partner who has a yeast infection.

If left untreated, yeast infections can cause inflammation or lead to further infection.

What you can do
If you suspect a yeast infection, see your doctor. They’ll prescribe a medication to help clear the fungal infection.

Common options include:

▪︎fluconazole (Diflucan)
▪︎miconazole (Desenex)
▪︎clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
▪︎imidazole (Canesten)

Some of these medications are also available over the counter.

4. Balanitis

Balanitis occurs when the head of your penis gets inflamed. If the foreskin is inflamed as well, it is called balanoposthitis.

This can result from:

▪︎having unprotected sex
▪︎poor hygiene
▪︎smegma buildup
▪︎scented soaps or body washes
▪︎infection

skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema
Many of these causes can make your penis smell. Other symptoms include:

▪︎redness
▪︎itching and irritation
▪︎swelling
▪︎fluid buildup under the foreskin
▪︎burning sensation when you pee

You’re more likely to develop balanitis if you’re uncircumcised. If left untreated, balanitis can cause your foreskin to get tight and lose its ability to retract. This is known as phimosis.

What you can do
Taking a bath in Epsom salt can help soothe any pain or inflammation.

If your symptoms last more than a day or two, see your doctor. They can diagnose the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan suited to your needs.

Common options include:

▪︎antibiotics for an infection, such as ▪︎bacitracin/polymyxin (Polysporin)
▪︎ointment or cream for irritation, such as ▪︎hydrocortisone (Cortaid)
▪︎antifungal cream for fungal infections, such as ▪︎clotrimazole (Lotrimin)

Senomi:
Hmmm, most men would refuse to accept the truth in this writeup, they all believe it's only the other gender that are prone experiencing issues like this,

Las las I see incoming violence

All she has posted so far is ONLY related to uncircumcised men except UTI and yeast(only contracted from the future gender).

Looking for an uncircumcised man in Nigeria is like looking for a pin in the ocean.
Therefore,most men won't relate to those.

Weldone madam kobojunkie a.k.a kobostinkie.

Nawao

.................

sir what's the cause of a very bad mouth odour. ? ... I want to help my girlfriend

Hmmm, most men would refuse to accept the truth in this writeup, they all believe it's only the other gender that are prone experiencing issues like this,

Las las I see incoming violence

Dirty boxers too

Thanks for this insightful thread. It is well educative for we men.

Haaa never heard of this before o

illicit:
Dirty boxers too

The usual culprit

Oturatetuala:
Haaa never heard of this before o

Mostly for the uncircumcised male though

But you see the menace of dirty smelling boxers

Lol..if your penis de smell it means you are a dirty boy/man

7buckz:
Lol..if your penis de smell it means you are a dirty boy/man

Smells down there has never been any way unique to any gender.

Scrotal Dermititis

Op which one cum be pull skin over penis? Shey penis dey wear agbada?

Juliusmomoh2:
sir what's the cause of a very bad mouth odour. ? ... I want to help my girlfriend

Acid/Gas reflux. Tell your Girl friend To reduce or stop eating garri (eba)

baralatie:

Mostly for the uncircumcised male though

But you see the menace of dirty smelling boxers

pls Can I ask? What's the difference between a circumcised male and an uncircumcised male. Was there really need for circumcision?

Can someone explain to me the difference between a circumcised male and uncircumcised male?

Prettygirl200:
pls Can I ask? What's the difference between a circumcised male and an uncircumcised male. Was there really need for circumcision?

Well it is a religious attachment
A cultural attachment
There are medical reasons(for and against)

For thise under religion.it is a very important religious act
For those under male oriented societies it is for cultural beliefs that signify acceptance

So it depends on where you are from and the importance attached to male circumcision but where one gets it's improperly done.it is a scare that demeans the man's total being.the persons would have preferred not to have done it self