What Does that Fishy Penis Smell Mean?

Every man deals with offensive penis odor from time to time. In most cases, the solution is much more careful personal hygiene. With proper penis care, most smelly problems will go away rather quickly. But there is one particular odor many men have noticed, something like a fishy penis smell, that is not only humiliating but also quite concerning.

What causes that fishy penis smell?
 
No one likes to feel as though they stink. A man who has the occasional penis odor problem can usually remedy it very quickly and get back to feeling confident. But sometimes, a persistent odor lingers, even with excellent care and attention - and when it is a fishy penis smell, it can mean serious problems. Here are some of the potential reasons for this odor.

1. Lack of regular hygiene. Getting the penis clean is an integral part of everyday care. But for some men, skipping even one shower or not paying enough soapy attention during the shower can lead to a lack of hygiene. This is especially true for uncircumcised men, who must worry about smegma, or the buildup of oil and dead skin cells that is common under the foreskin. Clean the penis carefully, each and every time.

2. Balanitis. Though this condition occurs more often in men who are uncut, anyone can develop balanitis. Symptoms include an itchy penis, soreness, a burning sensation and a sometimes fishy penis smell, as well as redness and inflammation. Prevention is key here, and it all comes back to good hygiene. But if even the best hygiene doesn’t seem to make a dent in the problem, it’s time to consider other possibilities that might co-exist with balanitis.

3. Urinary tract infection. An awful fishy penis smell might not be coming from the penis skin, but rather, from a man’s urine. That is one of the signs of a urinary tract infection, also known as a UTI. In addition, a man might suffer from burning or irritation when he urinates. If this is happening, get to the doctor, pronto.

4. Yeast infection. Though yeast infections are much more common in women, men can get them too. It can be passed through sexual contact, or occur when a man has a compromised immune system. Yeast is present on our skin at all times and rarely leads to an issue, but when a yeast infection occurs, a man can expect burning, itching, an unpleasant odor and a thick discharge. If this happens, the doctor is the first stop a man should make.

5. Ketonuria. This condition happens when a man has too many ketones in his body, which spill out in the urine. The result is a strange smell to the urine, often said to be a fishy penis smell. Though the smell is a problem, what is causing the ketonuria might be an even bigger issue - it usually occurs when a man has a medical problem, such as diabetes. Again, a visit to the doctor is in order.

Keeping the penis odor-free
 
These five points are the usual culprits in unpleasant penis odor. A man should look to good hygiene as the front-line of defense, and that includes the regular use of a good penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Look specifically for a crème that contains Vitamin A. Also known as retinol, this excellent vitamin offers strong anti-bacterial protection that translates into blocking penis odor before it has a chance to begin. Look for other key nutrients and vitamins as well, such as L-arginine, vitamin C and D, and alpha-lipoic acid, all combined in a soothing Shea butter and vitamin E base to help ensure the healthiest skin possible.

Penis Odor - Why It Occurs And How To Get Rid Of The Fishy Smell

Among the many complaints about penis problems, unpleasant and off-putting odors are one of the most common. As a rule most men don’t like to talk about this kind of issue with their health care provider, but a fishy penis smell can be embarrassing and it is certainly not a turn-on for a potential sexual partner. Fortunately, getting rid of an unpleasant penis odor can be as simple as cleaning the skin properly and applying a penis crème which contains natural antibacterial agents and moisturizers.

Causes of fishy penis odor

Unpleasant penis odors are generally a sign of bacteria on the penis skin, especially in uncircumcised men. Dr. David King, director of urology services at the El Camino Hospital of Los Gatos, CA explains that "the most common causes of bad smell around the penis would be related to poor hygiene and skin infections."

Hygiene-related penis odor
Foul penis odor often occurs when dead skin cells build up underneath the foreskin, attracting bacteria which create a fishy smell directly related to lack of proper cleansing. To address this problem, Dr. King recommends that all men pull back the foreskin completely and wash the area underneath with warm water and a mild cleanser. In addition, it is important to dry the area carefully as bacteria thrive in warm, moist places and to pull the foreskin back to its original position.

Yeast infection
Aside from poor hygiene, skin infections can also cause a fishy smell. Thrush, or yeast infection, is often the cause of penis odor and can affect both circumcised and uncircumcised men. Aside from an unpleasant smell, a yeast infection is often accompanied by a cheesy, whitish discharge, as well as uncomfortable burning and itching. Painful urination may also occur if the infection has affected the urethra, or opening at the tip of the penis.

Bacterial vaginosis (in sexual partners)
Men whose female sexual partners are affected by bacterial vaginosis, a condition which also causes a fishy smell due to imbalances in body chemistry, may also experience the odor on their own penis. Again, washing carefully and moisturizing the penis skin can help to address this problem.

Other causes of penis odor
Some of the less-common causes of penis odor include urinary tract infections; the bacteria that cause the infection may spread to the outside of the penis, around the urethral opening, resulting in a detectable fishy smell. In addition, some diabetics are affected by a condition known as ketonuria, in which waste products from the breakdown of fatty acids can accumulate in the urine and cause a fishy odor.

Promoting a healthy penis

Fortunately, most cases of bad penis odor can be resolved fairly easily. As mentioned earlier, proper hygiene is the first step. Aside from keeping the area, clean, men can take the following steps to prevent or eliminate unpleasant penis smells:

1.    Moisturize. Overly dry penis skin often develops minute fissures which allow the bacteria that are often responsible for a fishy smell to penetrate. Natural moisturizers such as shea butter work well for sensitive penis skin, while those containing vitamin E create natural moisture barrier that prevents dehydration.

2.    Reduce the presence of bacteria on the skin. Nourishing the penis skin with natural anti-bacterials such as vitamin A can help to eliminate the presence of odor-causing bacteria and to prevent bacterial infections. In addition, vitamin C can help to boost the immune system and protect the body from disease.

Applying a specialized formula containing penis vitamins moisturizers and other nutrients (most health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) as part of the daily personal care regimen may help to keep the penis clean, healthy and odor free.