Smegma is a natural buildup of oils, dead skin cells, and moisture that can collect in the genital area, forming thick, white, sticky secretions with a strong odor. Although it is not an infection, smegma can cause irritation and discomfort when not cleaned properly.
Excessive smegma buildup may lead to redness, swelling, or complications such as balanitis, phimosis, or clitoral adhesions. These conditions can cause pain and make cleaning the area more difficult, increasing the risk of infection.
Proper hygiene is essential to prevent smegma accumulation. Gentle cleansing with warm water, mild soap, and thorough drying helps maintain genital health and prevent irritation, especially for those who are not circumcised or have sensitive skin.
What is smegma?
Smegma is an accumulation of oil, dead cells, and fluids in the genital area causing thick, white, sticky secretions with a foul odor.
Smegma can be caused by poor hygiene and can build up under the foreskin of the penis and in the folds of the vulva. It can also affect babies, especially those with a condition called phimosis, which makes it difficult to retract the foreskin, allowing smegma to build up underneath.
Smegma is not a sexually transmitted infection and can be treated and prevented with good hygiene practices. It can, however, cause pain and redness in the genital area. In this case, it is a good idea to consult your pediatrician, gynecologist, or urologist for proper guidance.
Common symptoms
Smegma buildup may cause the following symptoms:
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Thick, white, sticky secretions;
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Foul odor;
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A cheesy-looking substance;
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Irritation or redness, in some cases.
Symptoms generally occur under the foreskin in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and in the folds of the vulva or around the clitoris in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
In the case of excessive smegma buildup, the smegma may harden and cause the foreskin to become stuck to the penis, or the clitoral hood to adhere to the clitoral glans, leading to pain and discomfort.
In men, smegma buildup may also lead to infections of the foreskin and result in balanitis, a condition involving pain, redness, and swelling of the glans (head) of the penis.
Confirming a diagnosis
Smegma is a clinical diagnosis made by a pediatrician, urologist, gynecologist, or primary care provider based on symptoms, hygiene practices, and a physical exam.
There are typically no special tests required to confirm the diagnosis, however a doctor or other healthcare provider may recommend collecting a sample of the secretions to be analyzed at the lab if there is any concern for a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Possible causes
Smegma is caused by poor hygiene habits that allow for the accumulation of fluids, sebum, and dead skin cells under the foreskin or in the folds of the vulva and around the clitoris. It is a natural secretion produced by the body, however an accumulation of smegma can result from improper hygiene.
Main types
Smegma can be divided into three main types, depending on the age and sex of the person affected.
1. Infant smegma
Infant smegma affects babies and young children, mainly boys. This happens because cleaning under the foreskin can be more difficult when the foreskin is tight or when phimosis is present.
Phimosis can be identified by symptoms such as difficulty pulling back the skin that covers the head of the penis (the glans) or trouble urinating, depending on how severe the condition is.
2. Male smegma
Male smegma occurs in men, especially those who are not circumcised. In these cases, secretions can build up more easily under the foreskin, which is the skin that covers the head of the penis.
3. Female smegma
Female smegma can appear in the folds of the vulva or around the clitoris, since these areas naturally produce more sebum, which can accumulate over time.
When smegma builds up around the clitoris, it can cause the clitoral hood to stick to the clitoral shaft, leading to partial or total clitoral adhesion. This condition can be painful and should be assessed by a healthcare provider.
Hygiene and cleaning
Treatment for smegma involves maintaining good intimate hygiene to prevent the buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, and bodily fluids.
To ensure proper intimate hygiene, the following recommendations should be followed:
1. Men/boys
For proper male hygiene in men, boys, and baby boys who are not circumcised, it is important to gently wash under the foreskin and around the head of the penis (glans) with warm water and mild soap once or twice daily. The area should then be dried thoroughly.
For circumcised individuals, cleaning with warm water and mild soap around the head of the penis is recommended, especially along the ridge that separates the head from the shaft.
Care should be taken not to scrub the head of the penis too hard or pull the foreskin back forcefully in those who are not circumcised, as this can cause injury and increase the risk of infection.
2. Women/girls
Female hygiene should involve washing the vulva and clitoral hood once or twice daily with warm water and a small amount of mild, unscented soap, then rinsing and drying well. Gently separate the labia without scrubbing, and avoid inserting soap into the vagina to prevent irritation.
Prevention measures
The best way to prevent smegma buildup is by maintaining good hygiene habits. Wearing cotton underwear and avoiding tight pants can also reduce sebum and moisture that lead to smegma accumulation.
For boys and men with persistent phimosis, a pediatrician or urologist may recommend phimosis surgery to ease cleaning under the foreskin. Read more about phimosis treatments.
Potential complications
When smegma is not removed regularly, it can contribute to inflammation of the glans (balanitis), tightening of the foreskin (phimosis), or blockage behind the foreskin (paraphimosis).
In women, hardened smegma can lead to clitoral adhesions, causing significant pain and discomfort.
Warning signs
Seek medical evaluation if any of the following symptoms occur despite proper hygiene: persistent pain or swelling of the glans, foreskin, vulva, or clitoral hood; redness that does not improve; a strong or foul odor; unusual discharge; difficulty pulling back the foreskin; or trouble urinating.