It can be alarming to notice a new, thick substance in your genital area. If it’s smegma, there are easy ways to prevent and treat it. Smegma is a combination of dead skin cells, oils from your glands, sweat, and other fluids that accumulate around your genitals when they’re not cleaned regularly.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299339343a-c45f-46a1-9ade-ed1e1e3966e0 It’s thick and can be white or yellow, resembling crumbly cheese. With the right personal hygiene, you can address this condition and avoid complications that can arise from letting it go unchecked.
Where Does Smegma Typically Develop? Location “In my practice, I’ve seen that smegma typically develops in areas where skin folds trap moisture and oils,” says Hannah Kopelman, MD , a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery in New York City. For men who are uncircumcised, smegma builds up under the foreskin (a piece of skin that covers the head of the penis).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629223eab6c-d9a2-4eec-b0df-d461bd81900c In women, it accumulates in the folds of skin around the urethra and vagina , as well as around the clitoris. The location typically indicates if it’s smegma or something else, like discharge, says Marc Goldstein, MD , a urologist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Unlike smegma, discharge tends to be found in the urethra (the end of the penis) in men and the vagina in women.
What Causes Smegma? Causes Lack of regular cleaning is the most common cause of smegma. “I often tell my patients that while smegma itself isn’t harmful, it’s a sign that the area needs a bit more attention in terms of hygiene,” Dr. Kopelman says. Although it’s found in both men and women, it’s most commonly found in uncircumcised men between the foreskin and the head of the penis.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c098c92c-c857-4795-8e25-7801e90602fc “The biggest problem is in uncircumcised men who don’t retract their foreskin regularly to clean it, or they have a condition called phimosis, where they’re unable to retract the foreskin, so the secretions build up,” Dr. Goldstein says. Smegma is not a sexually transmitted disease or infection (STI) — and it’s not contagious. Because it’s an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, smegma can create a strong odor.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a9e228f2-f68f-4e3b-a9b7-b412b3c3e9f4 Research on smegma in boys shows that bacteria like E. coli , E. avium , and E. faecalis are commonly present in the substance.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294ad6ba39-2727-4ee0-bb52-47bde5c2a618 While Kopelman says there aren’t different types of smegma, its appearance can vary depending on how long it’s been building up for. “Fresh smegma tends to be whitish or yellowish with a smooth texture, while older smegma that hasn’t been cleaned away can become thicker and develop a stronger odor,” Kopelman says.
Is Smegma Serious? Serious or Benign? “Typically, smegma is benign, but in my practice I’ve seen that if it’s not cleaned regularly, it can lead to issues like irritation, inflammation, or even infection,” Kopelman says. For instance, smegma can play a role in balanitis , an inflammation of the penis head that impacts about 3 to 11 percent of men during their lifetime. This condition can cause pain and skin redness.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d042a1a9-0115-4fe1-a9a3-307b9aa91bfe Plus, while smegma itself likely does not cause penile cancer, it can irritate and inflame the penis — which may increase the risk of cancer . It can also make it more difficult to detect very early stages of cancer.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291039523a-7e16-4de9-92a4-5e18983055c0 Meanwhile, Kopelman notes that smegma can cause vulvitis, or inflammation of the vulva, in women — which can be uncomfortable and may require medical attention.
Do I Need a Diagnosis for Smegma? Diagnosis Smegma usually doesn’t require a formal diagnosis and is easy to identify on your own.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b249156c-2371-46e5-826c-62e66cecb47a “Smegma can be identified as a whitish or yellowish substance that may accumulate under the foreskin or around the clitoris,” Kopelman says. “It can have a noticeable odor if not cleaned regularly.” That said, if you’re unsure that what you’re seeing down there is smegma, or if you have questions about what to do about it, your doctor can help you confirm what the substance is and rule out other conditions, such as STIs.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b249156c-2371-46e5-826c-62e66cecb47a “It’s something I can generally identify just by looking at the affected area,” Kopelman says. “Tests are rarely necessary unless there’s a strong suspicion of infection or another complication.”
What Is the Treatment for Smegma? Treatment The best treatment for smegma is cleaning the area to remove it. To do so, wash your genitals and the surrounding areas until the smegma resolves.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294425dfa5-53d2-47eb-a360-468d2d7ad53e “Regular washing with warm water and gentle soap is usually all that’s needed to remove smegma,” Kopelman says. “There’s no need for harsh soaps or scrubbing. Gentle cleansing is sufficient to keep the area clean and healthy.” If you have a penis with foreskin, carefully pull the foreskin back as far as possible. Then, use a clean washcloth or your hands to cleanse the area with soap and warm water. If you’re circumcised , wash your penis with soap and water. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294425dfa5-53d2-47eb-a360-468d2d7ad53e If you have a vagina, gently pull apart your labia and use a clean washcloth or your hands to wash the area with soap and water. (Don’t get water or soap inside your vagina.) Dry completely with a clean towel.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294425dfa5-53d2-47eb-a360-468d2d7ad53e Since your skin is sensitive in your genital areas, choose mild products labeled as “fragrance-free,” “hypoallergenic,” or “for sensitive skin.”e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294425dfa5-53d2-47eb-a360-468d2d7ad53e
Are There Any Complications Related to Smegma? Complications Complications from smegma are uncommon, but they can occur if it’s left unchecked, Kopelman says. “I always tell my patients to be aware of any signs of irritation or infection, such as redness, swelling, or discomfort,” Kopelman adds. It can also cause phimosis, in which the foreskin of the penis is unable to retract.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e1bf15ac-d966-4d10-b61f-feadc02bd678 (Additionally, the reverse is true: Phimosis can cause smegma, too, Kopelman adds.) For those with vaginas, it can cause the clitoral hood to stick to the clitoris, known as clitoral adhesion — which can cause pain. When smegma causes these conditions, they can be resolved simply by removing the smegma.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e1bf15ac-d966-4d10-b61f-feadc02bd678
How to Prevent Smegma Prevention Preventing smegma comes down to personal hygiene, Kopelman says. “It’s not about using strong soaps or aggressive washing — just consistent, gentle cleansing,” Kopelman says. “I find that this simple practice goes a long way in preventing smegma buildup and maintaining overall genital health.” To prevent smegma, follow these tips:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e3d12a49-7b34-40bf-8571-f54fd815cb97 Wash your genital area every day with warm water and soap, then dry with a clean towel. If you have a penis, gently pull the foreskin back and wash underneath it. Opt for clean, breathable underwear to keep the area dry and prevent bacteria growth. Avoid douching, perfumed or scented soaps, and the overuse of specialized genital hygiene products (like pH washes or cleansing wipes) to avoid irritation. Smegma is most common in people who are uncircumcised, since the foreskin can trap oils, other fluids, and skin cells.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629977ae8dc-921c-4e1e-96ee-d31a7052b883 “Getting circumcised will help prevent smegma and the complications associated with it,” Goldstein says.
The Takeaway Smegma is a buildup of oils, other fluids, and dead skin cells that accumulates in the genital area. It’s most commonly found in men who are uncircumcised, but can occur in anyone. Although it’s generally harmless and easily treatable, it’s best to regularly wash your genital area to avoid any potential complications, such as infection.
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