Smegma: Know When it Strikes and How to Treat It

Smegma…it’s a word that gives men and women a case of the gags the world over. Images of funky smells, cheese-like discharge, and an angry penis immediately come to mind. But how does smegma even get there in the first place? Let’s break down what smegma is first and go from there.

What is Smegma?

Smegma is actually part of the body's very efficient self-cleaning process. This cocktail of dead skin cells, oils, and other genital fluids may not be appetizing, but when taken care of daily, it's not even noticeable. When it isn't, however, that's when things get smelly and inflamed – specifically the penis. In addition to the gross factor, it can also lead to painful infections, not to mention a lot of embarrassment with a sexual partner.

Smegma Symptoms

To know how to treat it, a man must know how to spot it first. Let’s face it, there’s a ton of things that can afflict a member, smegma is one of the most obvious though. Smegma symptoms are pretty straightforward. Here are the most common smegma symptoms:

- There’s a foul odor emanating from the penis. It is most likened to a sweaty, sour milk smell.

- A dirty white thick consistency with a cottage cheese-like appearance.

- Urinating gets hot and throbbing. Many times, the urge to urinate also increases.

- Redness and Irritation. The delicate penis skin has a painful, pins-and-needles feel, and if often hot and any touch is unwelcome.

What Causes Smegma?

If smegma is around, it’s generally because someone isn’t cleaning their penis properly or regularly enough. Men who neglect daily washing, don’t wash after workouts, don’t wash after sex, or don’t wash with intent are more likely to be a victim to smegma.

While it doesn’t cause smegma, being uncircumcised does put a man at higher likelihood for having smegma because under the foreskin is the perfect place for smegma to hide. To avoid smegma and other foreskin-related hygiene issues, some of these men decide to get circumcised.

Treatment for smegma

So, what’s the miracle treatment for smegma?

Wash the penis regularly and thoroughly.

Is it just that easy? Yes. But some men haven’t been taught the ropes or established a daily hygiene ritual. This should include cleaning, drying, and moisturizing the member to polished perfect daily. For those needing a step-by-step, here's a comprehensive how-to for proper penis care:

1) In a warm shower or bath, gently pull back the foreskin. If the smegma has hardened, it may be resistant and do not, under any circumstance, fight the resistance. It can cause tear the delicate skin leading to extreme pain and a high likelihood of infection. Immerse the hardened area in warm water until smegma loosen. Oil can also help. Go slow and massage it gently in areas where it begins to give until it is all gone.

2) Next, use a gentle cleanser and warm water to cleanse the entire genital area. Be gentle but thorough.

3) Rinse carefully and pat dry with a soft towel or air dry when done cleaning.

4) Finally, moisturize the penis with a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) following every cleansing. Be sure to select a cream that has a natural nourishing foundation like Shea butter and vitamin E to heal and soothe the penis. Crèmes that also contain vitamins A, B, C, and D are ideal for their skin-soothing, anti-bacterial, and cell regeneration properties.

5) Repeat daily.

If the smegma isn’t better after a solid week of detailed cleaning, or if it’s getting worse, see a doctor for treatment.

The Best Smegma Treatment Plan for Good Penis Health

Let’s be honest: even the word ‘smegma’ is a little off-putting. Smegma is the natural accumulation of dead skin cells and fluids secreted by the sebaceous glands in the foreskin. This stuff builds up in the area between the foreskin and the glans, and eventually results in a cheesy, white substance that can smell rather unpleasant. Removing this buildup on a regular basis is an integral part of excellent penis care .

The good news is that smegma is entirely natural and can be controlled quite easily if a man knows how to take care of the problem. So without further ado, here’s the ultimate smegma treatment for the man who worries about all that clumpy white buildup.

1. Hop in the shower.A daily shower is the first line of defense against smegma. Be sure to use a very mild cleanser that is good for delicate penis skin. Some men find that using a simple bar soap, such as Ivory or Dial, is just fine; others need something more sensitive. Either way, a good cleanser and a washcloth will be necessities.

2. Retract the foreskin. The only way to truly clean out smegma is to pull back the foreskin, exposing the glans. Smegma collects in this area, but especially in the area right underneath the glans. (Remember: If there is any problem with retracting the foreskin, this might be a sign of a serious condition that goes well beyond smegma problems, and warrants a visit to the doctor.)

3. Thoroughly clean the area. Using the washcloth and cleanser, clean the area underneath the foreskin, paying close attention to every dip and curve. Give the area underneath the glans some special care to ensure the buildup is removed. Remember that simply using water or cleanser alone is not enough. Smegma can be sticky and adhere to the skin, so using a washcloth to remove it is necessary - it provides enough roughness and friction to loosen the dead skin cells and get rid of the other substances that cause the buildup.

4. Dry off very well. When the shower is done, it’s time to dry things out. This is especially important for men who are intact, as the area beneath the foreskin can retain some moisture after the shower, which can then add to the smegma problem. Retract the foreskin again after the shower and dry the area that was just cleaned so well.

One of the keys to ensuring this smegma treatment really works is by getting a daily shower - and always make a point of cleaning the smegma away while under the cascade of water. Letting it go for even a day or two can lead to serious penis odor, as well as redness and itching. Serious smegma problems can even lead to infections, which is something no man wants to see happening down there.
A man who has trouble retracting his foreskin should definitely see a doctor about the problem. This condition, known as phimosis or paraphimosis, makes it really difficult to get to the smegma buildup. Besides that, a foreskin too tight to retract can lead to painful erections or blood flow problems, as well as increase the possibility of infection and other nasty problems.

After cleaning the skin very well and removing every trace of smegma, a man can help ensure continuing penis health by using a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Not only do the great vitamins and nutrients in the crème help with blood flow and penis skin sensitivity, the simple act of applying the crème can ensure a man double-checks the smegma situation. A good crème should contain vitamins like A, C, and D, as well as hydrators like vitamin E and Shea butter, all of which work to keep penis skin supple and soothed.