It is not uncommon for the penis to smell fishy or different. However, changes and odors can be associated with harmful and harmless things. If you think your penis smells different, you have come to the right place because we found 5 causes of why a penis smell.
- Inflamed Penis
Your penis can become inflamed due to several reasons. The inflammation may start at the head of your penis. But if it’s left untreated, it may spread further.
When the inflammation spreads to the urethra, it may cause a medical condition called balanitis. This chronic skin condition infects the penis. So what causes it to spread?
Wearing tight clothes and humid climate are to blame. Your groin is usually protected. But excessive cover increases heat and sweat.
When you sweat a lot and don’t clean up properly, then bacteria thrive in the folds. These organisms cause this particular skin infection.
The irritation spread to the urethra. When you urinate, your urine scraps through the infected area, what this interaction does is to alter the natural urine smell.
Thus, the inflammation of the penis skin may cause your urine to smell foul. In most cases, it’s fishy and foamy. You may also feel pain and itchiness around your penis.
- Urinary Tract Infections
Some infections like the urinary tract infection also result in fishy urine. UTI is a common infection affecting your penis. And it usually has three distinct symptoms.
The first is the urge to urinate. You feel as if your bladder is full and needs an urgent discharge. But when you rush to the urinals, only a splash gets out.
During the process, you feel pain. This could be a stinging pain or a dull inflammation all-around your penis. Lastly, your bladder doesn’t seem to empty even after leaving the toilet.
But the above symptoms are just part of the problem. You also realize that your urine takes an overpowering and fishy smell.
The overpowering stench is caused by the urine that remains on the tract. When these fluids interact with the invading bacteria, the natural scent gets replaced with the smell.
As per Healthline Media, a urinary tract infection (UTI) can lead to a fishy odor emanating from the penis. Additional symptoms may include a frequent urge to urinate, even with minimal urine output, a burning sensation during urination, and cloudy or pink urine.
Individuals who are uncircumcised may be at a higher risk of developing UTIs. While UTIs are not always severe, untreated cases can advance to kidney infections.
But any antibacterial can quickly resolve this embarrassing situation.
- Use of Scented Body care Products
The cosmetics and body care industry continue to rack in billions in profits. But consumers are not adequately advised about the harmful effects of using harsh soaps.
Using strong body cleansing products may affect the natural harmony of your body. The abrasive cleaners can cause skin irritation and infection, such as eczema and psoriasis.
These infections spread due to the potent compounds applied on delicate skins. And once contaminations develop, they lead to smelly urine.
The odor is also associated with enlarged foreskin. This increase in size is brought about by the fluid buildup under the penis cover.
Other signs that appear when you use harsh detergents include swelling of the penis as well as irritation.
You may suspect an adverse reacting to washing soaps and other cosmetics. In this case stop using them immediately.
Further, you can wash with Epson salt. This solution helps to neutralize the unhealthy side effects.
- Smegma
Smegma is chunky and whitish chunks that amass on the penis head. And it’s more prominent on uncircumcised men.
Why is this the case? Well, the penis foreskin covers thepenis head. But as you grow, it becomes tighter. Its purpose is to offer lubrication and sensation during sex.
However, since it shields the penis, it traps skin oils, dead cells, and urine remnants. And due to the moisture in the enclosure, these substances build up. They form a white film.
Cleaning the crust ensures that this sludge doesn’t become worse. But if your hygiene standards are low, the area soon becomes a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria.
It’s these micro-organisms that lead to the fishy urine. They change the natural groin scent and creates a foul smell. This unpleasant odor becomes apparent as you urinate.
According to the National Health Service, if you neglect to wash your penis daily, smegma, a cheese-like substance, can build up. Smegma is typically found on the head of the penis and under the foreskin.
The accumulation of smegma in the foreskin can result in an unpleasant odor, hinder smooth foreskin movement, and create an environment conducive to bacterial growth. Practicing regular hygiene is crucial to prevent these problems and maintain optimal penile health.
Frequent cleaning of the area with water is vital to prevent the smell.
- Yeast infections
Man associate yeast infections with women. But some men can also develop an affinity for yeast development. This is common in their pelvis region.
Yeast infection comes with typical signs. These include swelling and redness of the penis. Further, you may notice rashes around the shaft. Intense itchiness accompanies this discoloration.
In extreme situations, you may also notice a discharge when urinating. This is usually a cheesy-like paste. Since this discharge obstructs the urinal tract, you feel pain while urinating.
According to an article published on the Healthline Media website, yeast infections, also known as thrush, develop when the Candida fungus on the penis grows excessively.
This overgrowth can cause a “moldy” smell and is associated with symptoms like redness, irritation, itching, burning, and the presence of white, chunky material on the penis skin, which may appear abnormally moist, white, or shiny. Inadequate penis hygiene, especially in uncircumcised individuals, can increase the risk of yeast infections.
But more prominent is the fishy stench that wafts whenever you unzip. It refuses to go away even if you wash.
Treating this condition is easy. All you need is to see a doctor. Doctors can treat this smell by using antifungal ointments. They can dispense appropriate medication. These are usually come in cream to be applied topically.
However, urologists also offer tablets equally effective in eradicating the fishy smell caused by yeast infection.
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- Balanitis
Balanitis inflames your penis head and your foreskin. Different factors cause this inflammation. They include poor hygiene and skin conditions.
The most common sign of Balanitis is the fishy smell. But to be sure that it’s balanitis, the foul odor is accompanied by redness of the penis.
Still, there is swelling on the penis head, fluid under the foreskin, and a burning sensation when you urinate.
Balanoposthitis afflicts more uncircumcised than circumcised men. This is because the infection thrives in moist areas such as under the foreskin. If left untreated, it grips the foreskin, making retracting difficult.
Having unprotected sex, smegma accumulation, and skin lesion such as psoriasis cause fishy smelling penis.
But even innocent actions such as using strongly scented body products may cause balanitis. The easiest prevention is to use warm water and unscented body care products while maintaining high levels of hygiene.
If you are already infected, use antibiotics, anti-fungi, and non-irritation ointments to treat the condition and restore your penis’s natural smell.
- Chlamydia
Another STI that causes a smelly penis through having sex with an infected person is Chlamydia. This condition does always shows symptoms.
Still, you may notice an abnormal discharge from your penis accompanied by burning or swollen testicles. Again you may have a burning sensation while you pee.
If you experience the above signs, seek medical attention. Your doctor can only confirm chlamydia after running tests.
The examination involves laboratory testing of your urine sample, with results taking a week. Once the results confirm Chlamydia, treatment is simple.
Three types of antibiotics may be provided. They include azithromycin, doxycycline, and amoxicillin.
Typically, it takes another week for these tablets to clear the infection. During medication, desist from having sex, since you still can spread Chlamydia.
You then practice safe sex. Otherwise, recurrence of a fishy-smelling penis 00syndrome due to Chlamydia may occur.
Chlamydia is also transmitted orally through kisses. Here it affects the throat, causing pharyngeal chlamydia.
In conclusion, we have covered five causes your penis might be smelling fishy. We hope you are now more well-educated about the subject and will be able to make healthier and better choices to prevent it.
SIMILAR QUESTION
Can Too Much Sperm Cause Fishy Smell?
Introduction
The smell of semen can vary depending on the individual and can range from a sweet, musky smell to a fishy odor. While it is normal for semen to have a slightly fishy smell, too much sperm can cause a stronger odor that may be unpleasant. This paper will discuss the causes of a fishy-smelling semen as well as how to reduce it.
Causes of Fishy Smelling Semen
There are several causes of a fishy-smelling semen, including diet, certain medications, and infections.
- Diet: Eating foods with a strong odor, such as garlic, can alter the smell of semen.
- Certain Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can change the smell of semen as well.
- Infections: Infections, such as trichomoniasis, can cause a fishy-smelling semen.
Prevention and Treatment
- Diet: Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce the smell of semen. In addition, avoiding foods with a strong odor, such as garlic, can help.
- Certain Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics, can cause a fishy-smelling semen. If this is the case, it is important to talk to a doctor about alternative treatments.
- Infections: If an infection is causing the fishy smell, it is important to seek medical attention. The doctor may prescribe medication to treat the infection and help reduce the odor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, too much sperm can cause a fishy-smelling semen. The cause of the smell can vary from diet to certain medications to infections. It is important to seek medical attention if an infection is the cause. Eating a balanced diet and avoiding foods with a strong odor can also help reduce the smell.
