Is that Penis Odor Due to Trimethylaminuria?

It’s an unfortunate fact that penis odor can be a big issue for many men, and one that can be incredibly off-putting to a potential partner. There can be many reasons for a rank penis odor, even in a man who is careful about his penis health and hygiene. One of the more obscure causes may be trimethylaminuria, a condition sometimes known as fish odor syndrome. If that sounds familiar, read on.

What is trimethylaminuria?
Trimethylaminuria is a relatively recent condition, first diagnosed in the 1970s. It is a genetic disorder, so it’s something that a person is born with, not something that a person catches from someone else.

This disorder affects the body’s ability to process something called trimethylamine, an organic compound that is associated with decomposition of plants and animals. In the human body, it is often found in foods that contain choline, a water-soluble nutrient. These foods cover a wide range of dietary sources, including cauliflower, spinach, beef liver, broccoli, chicken, soybeans, seafood, eggs, grapefruit and tofu.

When a person has trimethylaminuria, the trimethylamine isn’t broken down the way it’s supposed to be. An excess of it therefore stays in the body, creating a very strong smell. That stink can come out through sweat, urine and semen - all of which can contribute to a fishy penis smell.

Is it dangerous?
Trimethylaminuria is not generally dangerous, but it can be annoying - and embarrassing when the odor it produces is extreme. For a man who already has a strong case of penis odor, it can be especially embarrassing. Even though a man may be very hygienic and wash thoroughly and frequently, if he has trimethylaminuria, it may still break through and cause a rankness that is unpleasant.

Fortunately, trimethylaminuria is rare - but that is small comfort to those who must deal with its effects.

Treatment
As a non-lethal genetic disorder, there has not been a lot of research into curing trimethylaminuria. However, doctors have studied things that can be used to help treat it or reduce its effects.

The disorder is usually diagnosed through a "choline load" test, in which urine is sampled after a person has consumed foods that are high in choline. If the level of trimethylamine found in the urine is excessive, it indicates that trimethylaminuria is present.

A doctor can make recommendations on treatment options. Sometimes antibiotics are recommended on a recurring basis in order to encourage the production of bacteria that can help eliminate some of the trimethylamine production. Supplements of charcoal, copper chlorophyllin and B2 are also sometimes used to help.

Dietary changes are the most common treatment option. Cutting down on foods rich in cholines can make a big difference; however, it’s wise to work with a nutritionist to determine an appropriate diet. Striking the right nutritional balance can be difficult.

Of course, taking other steps commonly associated with battling penis odor are still vitally important (and that applies whether one has trimethylaminuria or not.) In addition to washing appropriately and carefully, a man really needs to make daily use of a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Not just any crème will do, of course. In this case, it is absolutely essential that a man uses a crème which includes vitamin A in its arsenal of ingredients. Vitamin A is well-known for its anti-bacterial properties that fight surface skin odors on and around the penis, and that is clearly what is needed here. In addition, the preferred crème will include vitamin D, which helps the body absorb vitamin A and so increases A’s odor-fighting properties. Vitamin D also provides health benefits to the skin, making the penis not only smell but look better as well.

Erasing Fishy Penis Odor - Hints for Attacking the Problem at the Source

Men (and their partners) often report that they have a fishy penis smell. In many cases, this odor is so strong that others in a room may notice, even without getting up close and personal. A foul odor emanating from the jeans can be caused by poor hygiene, but it can also be the result of a variety of other issues. If any of the following problems is to blame, then it may take more attention to penis care than a little extra scrubbing to eliminate the odor.

1) Balanitis. This refers to any inflammatory condition of the foreskin; men who have balanitis may experience swelling, redness, soreness and a thick, foul-smelling discharge. The most common cause of balanitis is poor hygiene, which can result in over-colonization of bacteria in the area. Medical treatment for balanitis is generally focused on cleaning under the foreskin, rather than prescription medications.

2) Yeast infection . Also known as thrush, yeast infection is common in both men and women, and although it is not strictly a sexually transmitted disease, it can be easily passed back and forth between partners. This condition is characterized by redness, itching, swelling, and a white, chunky discharge that resembles cottage cheese. It can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications, but men who are experiencing it for the first time should check with their doctor before attempting self-treatment. Both partners should be treated at the same time to prevent reinfection.

3) Sweat. In spite of the pungent smell associated with sweating, human perspiration itself does not have much of an odor. Instead, the signature smell is caused by the bacteria that are attracted to it. In warm, enclosed areas such as the groin, this can take on a particularly ripe odor. While sweating certainly can’t be avoided, the privates should be washed daily to remove any built-up sweat, and talcum powder can be used to reduce the odor in the area. Use of deodorants on the genitals is not advised.

4) Bacterial Vaginosis. Men who have female partners with bacterial vaginosis - a common infection caused by bacterial growth in the vaginal tract - may notice a fishy smell on their own bodies after intimate contact. This is not a sexually transmitted disease, and it does not imply that the woman has done anything wrong; but treating the problem can eliminate the odor.

5) Smegma. Men who are uncircumcised tend to have a whitish, pasty substance underneath the foreskin; this can also occur around the glans in circumcised men. The material in itself is benign and consists mainly of dead skin cells and body oils, but the bacteria that are attracted to it can emit a strong, fishy or mushroomy smell. Unfortunately, not all men are taught that this substance needs to be removed; keeping the area clear can significantly cut back on the smell.

Men who are experiencing symptoms such as itching, swelling, a red rash, a thick discharge, headache, sore throat or fever in addition to the foul odor should make an appointment with their doctor. These symptoms can indicate a number of other issues in addition to the problems described above, including certain sexually transmitted infections. Since each of these conditions required specified treatment, it is important to pinpoint the exact cause.

It is also important to take a proactive approach to penis care, and this means keeping the area clean - but without overdoing the scrubbing. A daily shower or bath should include a thorough wash of the genital area. Men who are uncircumcised should (very gently) retract the foreskin and remove any smegma from underneath. It is best to avoid regular soaps, as well as shower gels or other cleansers that contain alcohol. These can dry the skin and increase the risk of yeast infection and other skin problems that may actually contribute to the unpleasant odor. Instead, choose a cleanser that is designed for sensitive skin, or skip the cleanser altogether and use warm water to do the job.

Afterward, the area should be dried thoroughly before putting on clothing; leaving the genitals damp and covering them with a tight pair of briefs creates a breeding ground for bacteria. A penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) may be applied at this point; look for a formula containing vitamin A, which has natural bacteria-fighting properties. A small amount - enough to cover the tip of a finger - should be massaged into the skin until it is fully absorbed.

Banish Fishy Penis Odor Naturally - Quick Tips for a Fresher Manhood

One of the most common complaints about the male equipment - from both men and women alike - is the presence of an unpleasant, fishy penis odor that just won’t seem to go away, no matter how often a guy washes.

The good news is that the cause of the funk may be related to an easily treatable health issue, rather than a permanent problem, and with the right attention to penis care, most men can banish foul odors for good.
Some probable causes of a smelly penis are described here:

1. Smegma - This refers to the accumulation of unpleasant-smelling material, made up of shed skin cells, body oils, and other substances, that can be found underneath the foreskin. This pasty substance is a haven for bacteria, which tend to thrive and reproduce in warm, moist areas like this, perpetuating the foul odor. Cleaning this material away on a daily basis can help control the fishy smell, not to mention decrease the risk for inflammation, soreness and damaged skin; on the other hand, men should wash gently, never forcing back the sheath to get at it.

2. Yeast infection - Men are just as likely as women to develop a Candida yeast infection in the warm, dark pelvic reason, and this is another common cause of stubborn, fishy penis odors. A yeast infection is characterized by itching, swelling, redness, and a cheesy discharge in addition to the smell. Topical antifungal medications can be effective in clearing up a yeast infection; men who are affected should ask their partners to get treated, as well, to prevent passing the infection back and forth.

3. Urinary tract infection - A UTI can result in foul-smelling urine, which may spill out onto the penile skin itself and cause penis odor. Antibiotics are generally needed to clear up a UTI; the smell should be resolved within a day or so. Symptoms to look out for here include painful urination, frequency, and a sense that the bladder is not empty even directly after urinating.

4. Bacterial infection - Men who have partners with a vaginal bacterial infection may become infected themselves or may simply experience a transfer of the associated fishy smell. When vaginosis is suspected, both partners should be treated, and washing carefully in the interim should help to eliminate odors on the surface of the skin.

Tips for eliminating unpleasant penis odor
 
To completely banish an embarrassing, fishy stink emanating from the genital area, men should follow these three steps:

1. Wash the area at least once a day. Men who are uncircumcised should pay special attention to the area under the foreskin, pulling it back gently and wiping away any built-up tissue. The skin should then be allowed to dry thoroughly before replacing the foreskin, as leaving dampness behind can attract organisms like yeast and bacteria. Once the area is clean and dry, the foreskin should be replaced; leaving it retracted can cause further problems.

2. Treat the underlying health condition. Men who have symptoms of a yeast infection or UTI, or who have been in contact with a partner affected by trichomoniasis or other bacterial infection, should see a doctor for treatment.

3. Treat the penis skin with an antibacterial penis cream. A targeted penis health cream (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) containing vitamin A works as a natural antibacterial. Vitamin A creams are often effective in eliminating harmless, but smelly bacteria that can be a leading cause of that fishy penile stench. As an added bonus, high-quality moisturizing creams can leave the penis skin feeling soft, smooth and supple, not to mention responsive to tactile stimulation.