All men are used to the occasional problem of penile odor. It usually happens after a sweaty workout, first thing in the morning after a fun night out, or even after a long day at the office. A quick wash and good care of the penis usually solve the problem. However, some men deal with a strong fishy odor from the penis, which seems to come back no matter what they do. There could be some very clear reasons for this particular odor, and the good news is that proper treatment and care can help ensure it’s gone for good.
What causes the fishy smell of the penis?
Men who notice that penile odor has gotten out of control may want to consider more serious conditions that could be causing the problem.
1. Urinary tract infections. When a man has a UTI, he’s likely to first notice the big three symptoms: pain when urinating, an urge to urinate even if no urine comes out, and a feeling that the bladder isn’t empty even after urinating. But then there is the smell, which is usually very strong smelling urine with a fishy smell. This indicates infection in the urinary tract. A little of that urine left on the penis and surrounding area can lead to an overwhelming stench. The good news is that antibiotics can cure a UTI quite well.
2. Yeast infections. Although this is something that often happens to women, men can also develop yeast infections. Telltale signs include itching, swelling, and redness of the penis, as well as a discharge that may look like thin cottage cheese. The odor is often strongly fishy, leading to an overwhelming penile odor that doesn’t go away, no matter how good a man’s penile care is. Antifungal medications help with this; Although they are usually topical, some medications can be taken orally.
3. Bacterial infections. A wide variety of bacterial infections can cause a fishy odor to the penis. These infections are often shared between a man and her partner, so if she ends up with some sort of nasty infection, chances are he has it, too. They can also pass the infection back and forth, so it’s important that both partners receive treatment, even if one partner has no symptoms.
4. Accumulation of smegma. Sometimes men will notice a buildup of white film on the penis, especially around the head. This is known as smegma and is made up of dead skin cells, skin oils, and other substances in the body. Bacteria can easily take up residence here and grow rapidly, meaning a fishy penis odor is likely to emanate from any area that has a buildup of smegma. Excellent hygiene can prevent the problem from getting worse and can stop penile odor.
How to Get Rid of Fishy Penis Odor
In addition to getting checked out by a doctor and taking medications for infections as directed, a man can take special steps for penile care at home to relieve or lessen that unpleasant odor.
1. Wash at least once a day. Good hygiene is key to ensuring that typical penis odor does not occur. It’s also a great way to catch other issues, like an infection, before it can really set in and wreak havoc on a man’s private life.
2. Take all medications as directed. Sometimes a man will seek treatment for a problem but will stop taking his medication as soon as he feels better. This is a bad idea! If treatment is stopped too soon, the infection may come back and this time it may be even worse. Always complete the full course of treatment.
3. Go with a great cream. A man trying to alleviate fishy penis odor may seek out a specially formulated penis health cream. (Health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe on the skin.). You should look for one that contains vitamin A, also known as retinol. This vitamin has antibacterial properties that are known to stop penis odor at the source.