Common Reasons Why Your Penis Smells - Men's Health

YOUR GROIN IS the perfect incubator for unpleasant smells: It’s hot, humid, and tucked beneath layers of clothing. So sometimes, it's just not going to smell so great.

If you're talking run-of-the mill not smell so great, chances are, you're fine and can make a few tweaks in what you're doing or what you're wearing to keep your penis from smelling. But if you're having discharge and a strong, unpleasant smell, check with a doctor; it could signal a sexually transmitted infection like gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Don’t miss out on exclusive content. Join now!

If it's just an end-of-the-day smell and situation, welcome to being normal. “Sweat and moisture mix with the natural bacteria on your skin to cause body odor,” explains Kelley Pagliai Redbord, M.D., a dermatologist at George Washington University. Same way it happens under your arms. (It's not the sweat that smells, it's only when it mixes with bacteria that it starts to create an odor.)

Specifically, your groin contains a number of apocrine glands that release secretions which, when mixed with sweat, can lead to some scents you'd rather not have, she adds.

Fortunately, there are some pretty easy things you can do to keep your penis from smelling:

Consider a New Haircut

Really, just a trim. Pubic hair traps dampness and odors, and also makes it difficult for the underlying skin to stay cool and dry, Redbord says. You don’t have to shave yourself bare. But pruning with a beard trimmer can help keep odors at bay, she says.

Related Story

• 7 Manscaping Tricks Every Guy Should Know

Wash Like You Mean It

You’ve already lost the war if you fail to clean out the bad-smelling gunk that accumulates in the many folds and clefts that comprise your groin area, says Tobias Köhler, M.D., a urologist at Southern Illinois University.

He says elbow grease and attention to detail are the most important parts of washing. “Don’t just wipe some soap on the area,” he warns. “Use some pressure and get into all those crevices.”

An antibacterial soap could also help if all else fails, Redbord says. But stay way from soaps with heavy scents and harsh chemicals. And if you’re uncircumcised, be sure to clean below your foreskin, she stresses. Secretions from oil glands and dead skin cells can build up under there and invite bacteria buildup—in other words, invite stink to your penis.

Related Story

• How to Treat Jock Itch, Once and for All

Dry Out

“Reduce moisture, and you’ll reduce body odor,” Redbord promises. To do that, she says it’s necessary to fully dry out your junk before dressing—especially during the summer when you’re hot all the time. Of course, dampness can also lead to jock itch. Guys prone to it often finish with an antifungal powder. Or even regular corn starch baby powder.

Damp towels or washcloths also accumulate bacteria, so they could contribute to your problem, Redbord adds. Make sure you’re using clean, dry linens every time you step out of the shower.

Related Story

• How to Get Rid of Swamp Ass For Good

Put on the Finishing Touches

Cotton is breathable, and so wearing cotton briefs and clothing can help keep your penis stink-free, Redbord says.

In the middle of the summer when the temps and humidity skyrocket, a swipe of underarm deodorant on the underside of your scrotum can also help target the area of your worst odor, she adds.