Smegma Could Be an Issue for Those With an Intact Penis

Smegma. It’s an unappealing name for an unappealing penis health issue. Guys have heard of it, but many don’t really know what it is. In the United States, that’s not surprising, for smegma is really only an issue for guys with an intact penis. (However, it should be noted that women can also produce smegma, so a circumcised man could theoretically have encountered it with a female partner.) Therefore, some basic information on smegma follows.

What is it, exactly?

When a man talks about smegma on his penis, he is generally referring to a foul-smelling, pale white or yellowish substance that is rather thick and clumpy. It is sometimes referred to as "head cheese" because it does have something of a cheese-like density. Although there may be other ingredients in it, most of smegma is made up of dead skin cells and oily secretions from the sebaceous glands.

However, that physical description of smegma is not entirely accurate. In its initial state, the dead skin cells and oily secretions are not thickened and clumpy. Instead, they are more fluid-like, and in fact before it thickens, smegma is actually an effective natural lubricant. It also helps the foreskin to retract more smoothly and easily. (The word smegma, by the way, is derived from a Greek word that means soap.)

Intact penis

It was mentioned that smegma in males is associated only with those with an intact penis. That is because the dead skin cells involved tend to come from the foreskin. That’s not to say that a circumcised man has no dead skin cells, of course; everybody does, as skin cells are constantly dying and being replaced with new skin cells. But with an intact penis, often the dead skin cells get trapped beneath the foreskin. Over time, if they are not removed, they mix with the oily secretions and eventually thicken into what is typically what is meant by the word smegma.

As mentioned, before it thickens, smegma is a fine natural lubricant. In its early form, it is sterile and odorless and can make penetration much easier. However, after this early-stage form, it is no longer sterile. Trapped between the foreskin and the penis, it is in a very warm, very moist environment - which is just the circumstances for bacteria to grow. This can result in balanitis (in which the glans of the penis becomes inflamed) or balanoposthitis (in which the foreskin itself becomes inflamed), both of which can be painful conditions.

Hygiene

In order to avoid smegma becoming a penis health issue, intact men need to be sure to thoroughly clean the penis and beneath the foreskin regularly. For most men with an intact penis, this means once a day; however, men with skin that is typically oilier than most may need to wash more often. It is very important to include cleaning underneath the foreskin, not just the outer surface. Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers, which may irritate the penis. It’s also important to be gentle when pulling back and washing under the foreskin, in order to avoid any potential damage.

Although practicing proper hygiene to prevent or get rid of smegma is important at almost any age, it is most important starting in puberty and continuing through middle age. Smegma production does tend to start decreasing the older a man gets.

Smegma can be an issue for the intact penis, but every penis has health issues to attend to. That’s why daily application of a superior penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is valuable. Seek out an oil that contains important penis health vitamins like A, B5, C, D, and E. Also look at ingredients such as alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant that strengthens penis skin by fighting oxidative stress.

The Male Foreskin - A Woman s Guide

Although male circumcision is common in the United States, the foreskin is not unknown in America. In much of the world, an intact penis is far more the norm than one which has been cut. However, because some American women, even those with a considerable degree of experience, have not come in close personal contact with a "hooded" penis, their first exposure to one may raise a number of questions for them. Some may wonder how the presence of the male prepuce impacts such matters as appropriate penis health care, penis sensation and sexual performance. To help acclimate these women to the intact penis, following are a few basic facts.

1) It's the same instrument, just with a little extra skin. There's no reason to worry that the intact penis will perform in ways that are substantially different than the circumcised model. All penises enjoy rubbing, kissing, licking, fondling and insertion into pleasurable orifices. The hooded member will react with the same enthusiasm and joi de vivre as the penis that has been altered.

2) The foreskin in an adult male usually is retractable. Although in its flaccid state the foreskin typically covers most of the glans of the penis, by the time most men have achieved adulthood, the foreskin has separated and can be retracted down below the glans. Some intact men prefer to retract the hood when engaging in sexual activity; others prefer to keep the glans covered; and some vary in their preference from one time to the next. When a woman is first exploring the equipment of an intact male, it's generally considered polite to ask the man's preference.

In some cases, a man may find it easier or more comfortable to apply a condom with the skin retracted. If a woman is placing the condom on the member, she should again ask the man's preference, rather than assume he likes it one way or the other.

3) Sometimes retraction is problematic. In some cases, a man may have difficulty retracting the foreskin and doing so may be painful. This usually is referred to as "phimosis," and it refers to the foreskin being so tight or the glans being so swollen that retraction is difficult or impossible. Often this occurs when a minor infection causes the glans to swell up.

4) Some intact men may find the exposed glans more sensitive. Scientifically determining whether the glans of a circumcised or unaltered penis is more sensitive is difficult, if for no other reason than because sensitivity just naturally varies from one man to another. One intact man may find the exposed glans enormously sensitive, while another may find it can take very rough handling with no problem; the same variation is true of circumcised men. However, since the prepuce tends to provide a protective covering for the glans, in some men that may make the exposed glans especially sensitive. Asking in advance and conducting some mutually agreed-upon explorations can let a woman know how her individual intact man feels about this issue.

5) Hygiene is important. Most adult men take the time to properly clean their penises regularly, including underneath the foreskin. Sometimes, however, there may be a build-up under the hood that goes unnoticed by the man. At the appropriate time, it may be a good idea to gently and tactfully let him know about this issue.

As with a circumcised penis, the proper maintenance of a penis with a foreskin should include the regular use of a superior penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). The moisturizing power of a cream loaded with a high end emollient such as Shea butter is especially beneficial for a foreskin that is a little snug. Also, important is to use a cream that is packed with acetyl L carnitine; this ingredient is neuroprotective and is solid at helping to maintain proper penis sensitivity affected by peripheral nerve damage.