Every man at least once in his life is faced with such a thing as an unpleasant smell from the penis. As a result, serious problems can occur in the intimate sphere, inconvenience when visiting saunas, public pools, sports clubs, etc. In addition, this may be a harbinger of some male diseases or sexually transmitted infections. What are the reasons for this smell, and how to deal with it?
There are several common causes that can cause an unpleasant odor from a penis.
Personal hygiene
Intense sweating occurs in the groin, and many bacteria form on the surface of the skin, and they cause an unpleasant odor. In addition, a conglomerate of white color is periodically collected under the foreskin - smegma, which smells very specifically. Therefore, you need to regularly wash yourself. A prolonged lack of hygiene procedures can lead to various diseases of the male urogenital system.
Balanitis
With balanitis, the glans penis becomes inflamed. If the foreskin is inflamed, then this process is called balanoposthitis. One of the main causes of inflammation is non-compliance with personal hygiene. Often the pathogen may be E. coli, which falls under the foreskin from the anus. But balanitis can also be caused by other pathogens, including sexually transmitted infections. To the disease predisposes:
- lowered immunity;
- the presence of chronic infections in the body;
- chronic diseases (anemia, diabetes, etc.);
- anatomical features of the foreskin.
Balanoposthitis can lead to such an unpleasant complication as phimosis, in which the foreskin exposes the head only partially or does not expose it at all. This leads to trauma to the foreskin and regular inflammation. Sometimes with phimosis, surgical intervention is required. The smell of a member is not the only companion of balanoposthitis. Burning, pain during urination, edema and purulent process may occur.
For the treatment of balanitis, it is sometimes sufficient to regularly wash the head and foreskin with a solution of chlorhexidine, as well as observing basic hygiene rules. In severe cases, antibiotics and antibacterial ointments are used. With a complication of phimosis, surgery is possible.
Candidiasis or thrush
Although thrush is generally associated with an exclusively female disease, men suffer from it. Causes candidiasis is a fungus that can be transmitted sexually. Often men can be carriers of the pathogen, with no symptoms of the disease.
With thrush, an acidic smell comes from the penis, and white discharge is observed. May occur:
- swelling;
- redness of the head of the penis and the skin around it;
- cramps when urinating ;
- whitish films on the surface of the skin, leading to erosion and sores;
- violation of ejaculation.
The causative agent can penetrate further into the urethra and seminal canals. Running candidiasis leads to urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) and even prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).
Treatment of the disease is carried out with antifungal drugs: ointments and tablets. Careful hygiene of the perineum is necessary, abstinence from sexual intercourse is desirable, in extreme cases, a condom should be used.
Gardnerellosis
Rotten fish smell from a member is the first signal of this disease. Gardnerellosis is sexually transmitted, although it does not quite fit under a sexually transmitted disease, as it is caused by opportunistic microorganisms. That is, normally gardnerella can be present in a healthy body without manifesting itself. The occurrence of the disease contributes mainly to low immune status.
The smell from the head of the penis with gardnerellosis is often accompanied by itching and painful urination. In order to get rid of the symptoms, the following treatment measures are carried out:
- the introduction of antiseptics into the urethra;
- antibacterial therapy;
- reception of immunomodulators and vitamin complexes;
- refusal of alcohol;
- abstinence during treatment.
The disease responds well to treatment, and, as a rule, the symptoms disappear already on the 2nd-3rd day of therapy.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
This is a large group of diseases, the causative agents of which can cause a variety of unpleasant odors from the penis. Almost all STDs are characterized by:
- discomfort during urination and itching;
- inflammation of the head of the penis and surrounding skin;
- discharge from the penis ;
- various rashes on the genitals.
If a man suspected of having an STD, he should immediately consult a dermatovenerologist. Sexually transmitted diseases are dangerous for their complications, up to the defeat of various internal organs and impotence.
Remember, almost any sexually transmitted disease can cause a smell from the penis. How to treat an ailment is determined solely by the doctor. The duration of therapy can be from several days to a month or more.
Prevention of unpleasant odor of the genitals
If from a medical point of view there is no reason for unrest, and the smell does not leave the man alone, he should pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Daily washing of the genitals is the very first remedy for odor. Do this preferably with warm water and soap. It is better to use an intimate hygiene product with a neutral pH level.
- It is undesirable to use linen containing synthetic threads and swimming trunks. Classic family briefs made from natural fabrics are the best choice. They prevent the formation of sweat, absorb excess moisture and do not press anywhere. It is necessary to change underwear every day.
- When washing, you can use various decoctions of herbs, for example, chamomile or a string. Such baths have an antibacterial and skin calming effect.
- The groin in the groin must be carefully looked after or shaved.
- Use various remedies for excessive sweating, as well as to reduce irritation. A baby cream under a diaper or powder is well suited.
There are many other reasons why genitals exude an unpleasant odor. These can be various autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus, impaired secretory function of the sebaceous glands. The main thing is if you felt an unpleasant odor, noticed a rash on the skin, felt pain when urinating, pain in the head of the penis - immediately consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate, as complications of diseases of the genitourinary system can be extremely serious, up to infertility and impotence. But if you follow the recommendations for hygiene, as well as refrain from unprotected promiscuous sexual intercourse, such problems do not threaten you.