A smelly penis can be caused by these 4 things (plus, tips to overcome them)

A healthy penis shouldn't give off a characteristic odor. If the penis smells musty, perhaps because you are not enthusiastic about maintaining the cleanliness of the penis - especially after sweating after activities outside or sports. However, if the smell is very strong, this may be a sign of a health problem that needs to be checked by a doctor.

What causes a smelly penis?

Apart from the smell of sweat, David Kaufman, M.D., urologist from Central Park Urology New York, food can be a cause of penis odor which is also common. For example, eating foods that have a strong garlic flavor can make your sweat smell like garlic too. Most of these smelly penis conditions are generally not serious and can be treated.

Even so, there are several other causes that you may need to be more aware of.

1. Smegma

Smegma is a white patch made of a mixture of dead skin cells, oil, sweat, and dirt that accumulate into "clogs" around the folds of the skin of the penis. Smegma often occurs on an uncircumcised penis because the foreskin is most prone to sweating.

If you rarely clean your penis, the "climb" will become a home for germs and bacteria that can cause penis odor. The hardened smegma can cause irritation and infectious inflammation of the penis.

Routinely clean the penis from smegma with the following steps:

Pull the foreskin of the head of the penis back.
Wash the penis with running water and neutral soap (without alcohol and fragrance).
Gently rub and rub the skin of the penis.
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft towel until the penis and foreskin are completely dry.
Loosen the foreskin again.

2. Urinary tract infection

Although it affects women more often, it does not mean that men cannot get urinary tract infections. The most common symptoms of a UTI in men are pain and burning sensation when urinating, but they can also cause the penis to smell bad.

If left untreated, male urinary tract infections can lead to inflammation of the prostate, epididymis, and testicles which increases fertility problems. UTIs can be treated with prescription antibiotics.

The urologist may also suggest that you drink lots of water and consume vitamin C to increase your body's immunity against infection.

3. Fungal infection of the penis

Yeast infectionCandida can cause the penis to give off an unpleasant odor. A man's risk of developing a yeast infection of the penis increases if he neglects to keep his penis clean, especially if you are uncircumcised. Yeast infection can also be transmitted through sexual contact from a female partner who has a yeast infection as well.

If left untreated, this infection can lead to further inflammation. Immediately to the doctor to get the right treatment.

4. Balanitis

Balanitis is an inflammation that affects the head of the male's uncircumcised penis. This disease causes symptoms such as penis pain, redness, swelling, odor, and pain when urinating.

You are prone to balanitis if: