Smegma, although somewhat disgusting, actually plays a biologically significant role in human beings. It’s only when people with poor hygiene allow this “natural lube” to become stagnant that the biofilm becomes problematic. In this article, Dr. Murtaza Ahmed explains the medical side of the not-so-appealing substance known as smegma.
What is Smegma? – A Definition
Smegma is a malodorous, opaque white or yellow substance composed of shed epithelial cells (dead skin) and sebum (oily secretions) produced by the sebaceous glands of male and female genitalia. It is found beneath the foreskin and glans penis in males and the folds of skin surrounding the clitoris in females.
Fact #1: The word smegma was first used in 1819 and is derived from a latin word meaning soap or detergent.
From a medical standpoint, the combination of dead skin cells and oily residue isn’t in of itself problematic. It’s only when a person allows this putrid biological concoction to slowly bake in the warm, moist environment around the labia or under the foreskin that smegma is formed.
As the oils mix with the dead skin cells, they provide an ideal substrate for bacterial consumption. When left unattended, “we” create an ideal breeding ground for the worst-smelling bacteria.
Although the bacteria are generally harmless, they inevitably produce extremely unappetizing byproducts responsible for an undoubtedly horrific odor. Anecdotes from the poor souls unfortunate enough to have encountered smegma in the wild describe it as a sulfur-rich stench resembling sour milk or swiss cheese.
Fact #2: There’s a heavy metal band called “Rectal Smegma” responsible for songs such as “Excremental Lesbophonic Putremageddon”. Biologically speaking, there is no such thing as rectal smegma.
Why Do Humans Produce Smegma?
Believe it or not, smegma production is actually vital to good penile health and satisfactory sexual performance. Fresh smegma is actually smooth and moist and aids in lubricating movement of the foreskin over the glans penis during sexual intercourse. This is very important as without it the resultant friction would result in dermal (skin) abrasion, leading to pain and soreness in some of the most sensitive areas on the body.
As well as aiding in sexual function, smegma protects the penis and clitoris by preventing it from adhering to the adjacent skin and allows for seamless retraction of the foreskin during activities such as urination.
Fact #3: It’s commonly misunderstood that smegma only exists upon the presentation of small pimples or the reek of cheese emanating from the groin area. On the contrary, smegma naturally exists in everyone, i.e. you have smegma. It’s only when poor hygiene creates the unfortunate circumstances we associate with the biofilm that it becomes problematic. A “Go Ask Alice” question and answer explains it best:
“Remember that it is stale and accumulated smegma that is a source of ill health for the penis. Freshly formed smegma, washed away regularly and constantly replenishing itself, is a wholesome lubricant – making for ease in erection and smoothness in sexual intercourse.”
Why Do Humans Produce Smegma?
Believe it or not, smegma production is actually vital to good penile health and satisfactory sexual performance. Fresh smegma is actually smooth and moist and aids in lubricating movement of the foreskin over the glans penis during sexual intercourse. This is very important as without it the resultant friction would result in dermal (skin) abrasion, leading to pain and soreness in some of the most sensitive areas on the body.
As well as aiding in sexual function, smegma protects the penis and clitoris by preventing it from adhering to the adjacent skin and allows for seamless retraction of the foreskin during activities such as urination.
Fact #4: When it comes to men, smegma only becomes problematic for males who are uncircumcised.
When Does Smegma Become a Problem?
Smegma often gets ‘bad press’, but this is the result of an unhealthy accumulation of smegma rather than a direct result of production itself. As explained above, the combination of smegma, a warm moist environment and time result in thriving bacterial colonies and the stinky cheese smell.
Now obviously you can’t do anything about smegma production, and unless you get circumcised, the warm environment is there to stay, but the time aspect is certainly a controllable factor. Be sure to bathe regularly – with attention to your private bits.
Fact #5: The production of smegma occurs in waves. It is most actively produced during adolescence. Then, as humans get older, the production levels decline.
Can It Cause Health Issues?
As well as being malodorous, the accumulation of smegma can actually result in more serious health issues. Balanitis (inflammation of the glans penis) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin) can result from smegma build up.
These conditions can be very painful and often require medical treatment. In general they resolve with little long term consequences, but repeated episodes can result in scarring and possibly phimosis. This is a condition whereby the foreskin becomes stuck over the head of the penis and is unable to be retracted. Phimosis can be a distressful condition and may even require surgery for resolution.
Fact #6: People who are prone to oily skin or acne are far more likely to have problems with smegma.
What can I do to reduce the problems caused by smegma?
As mentioned the main factor we can control in the smegma cycle is time. By reducing the time any smegma is allowed to fester, we can directly reduce the intensity of the odor and likelihood of secondary health problems.
The best way to manage smegma is to clean the area under the foreskin once to twice daily with warm soapy water. It is as simple as that. Things to avoid when cleaning smegma are the use of strong soaps/gels or cleaning solutions and forceful or prolonged retraction of the foreskin.
Fact #7: The most severe cases of smegma problems are called hismosis. Hismosis, derived from the Greek word for “muzzle”, occurs when a rigid, hard ring of smegma forms around the foreskin, preventing it from retracting. This condition can be quite painful.
Does smegma cause cancer?
The thought that smegma can lead to a higher incidence of penile cancer is a medical myth that was perpetuated after the publication of an outdated study from 1947 . The results and conclusions of this study have never since been substantiated and more recent evidence suggests there is no link between smegma and penile or cervical cancer.
Fact #8: The texture of dried smegma is most often described as waxy.
When Does Smegma Become a Problem?
Smegma often gets ‘bad press’, but this is the result of an unhealthy accumulation of smegma rather than a direct result of smegma production itself. As explained the combination of smegma, a warm moist environment and time result in thriving bacterial colonies and the distasteful smell that most people know smegma for.
Now obviously you can’t do anything about smegma production, and unless you get circumcised, the warm environment is there to stay, but the time aspect is certainly a controllable factor. In general smegma only causes a problem when it is allowed to accumulate for too long.
Fact #9: The exact chemical composition of smegma remains a scientific and medical mystery. The litle literature that exists suggests it’s made of 3 primary compounds containing a saturated fatty acid, β-cholestanol, and a hydroxy steroid.
Does it Occur at Any Age?
There is always some element of smegma production, but it becomes most prominent in adolescence (aged 14 onwards) when it becomes required for sexual function. Smegma production then remains constant for several years before reducing in middle age and declining to almost nothing later in life.
Fact #10: In 1988 a man released a patent for a product specifically designed to treat problematic smegma. You can see the patent here.
Conclusion
Smegma is a naturally occurring accumulation of dead skin cells and oily secretions around the foreskin in males and clitoris in females. It is beneficial as lubrication during sexual intercourse but if allowed to accumulate can lead to a distasteful odor as well as other health issues. Smegma can be controlled easily by a good hygiene regimen and this should be encouraged to all.
hello sir,
20 days before i sex with my girl friend .this is is first time i sex with her. i using durex strawberry flavour condoms. 3days before my head of the penies i able to see white colour skin peeling.sometime itchy sometime not.if i wash my penies i feel like pain what about the problem.right now i applying coconut oil on my skin.
what that solution
Too bad I did not know that females also produce smegma and I am now 82. I had to adjust or sex was not all that great. I am circumcised and have never had any health problems in the groin.
I learned about smegma as I was growing up in Catholic schools. It was not a playground word, nor was it taught to me by my parents. So it must have come from the Baltimore Catechism or some other classroom source. Why? Why was it even talked about? All I know is it furthered my disgust with my adolescent sexuality. For some reason, I encountered the word again just a few years ago, in my late 60s.