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Original poster

Strange smelling penis

67 replies

Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 14:27

Hi, promise I’m not a troll but this feels more health issue than sex topic.
My dh has had a problem with a strange smell around his penis area for around 4 years.
It seems to be around the head area and all I can compare it to is a fishy smell. It’s really starting to affect our sex life and his confidence in general.
So far we’ve tried...
He has always showered/bathed at least once a day, he has increased this to 2 times but made no difference
Used ph sensitive wash
Had swabs/Sti check - all clear
Gp referred him to urologist who checked with a small camera for bladder infections etc
Investigated for trimethylaminuria (searched the issue on mumsnet and that was something someone else had)
Tried thrush creams
Currently trying antibiotics as the gp is now at a loss as to what it could be
Possibly tried other stuff I’ve forgotten.

It’s bizarre as it can be there one time we check then possibly stronger 1/2 hour later then an hour after it’s gone.
The only thing we can think that possibly could be a factor is he sweats a huge amount.
I know that people may come on to suggest he’s cheating or whatever but I’m 100% that he’s not.
We are so stuck with what to do, the gp is stuck and so I’ve suggested asking on here and we are now at the point of what else can we do.
Thanks for any possible suggestions.

OP posts:
Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 14:33

Bump

OP posts:
FelicityFisher · 25/09/2020 15:15

Wasn't there a thread about this topic recently? Was that you?

Anyway - I think the answer to the issue is the sweating. You say he's a heavy sweat-er and that's probably the crux of the issue - especially as he's had extensive tests to rule out other stuff.

Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 15:44

Hi thanks for replying!! I haven’t seen the other thread unfortunately (don’t know how I missed it I spend far too much time here)
It definitely wasn’t me.
It’s just weird, he definitely sweats like mad as in it runs off him after a hot bath or a sunny day.
We’ve been married over 10 years and I’m pretty sure there was never an issue before the past few years. He’s 37 now - could it be because he’s getting older it changes?

OP posts:
TheGirlWithAPrince · 25/09/2020 15:46

Is he overweight?

Palavah · 25/09/2020 15:47

He may shower or bath every day but is he actually washing under his foreskin (assuming he is uncircumcised?).

ncqtime · 25/09/2020 15:48

Well fishy smell in women can be bv. Can men have an equivalent or could you have it and be transferring a smell to him? Can it be wee dribbles?

Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 16:05

Possibly overweight but it’s because he does weights so not fat
We’ve even thought it could be he washes too well as due to this problem he’s meticulous with it - Mrs Hinch would be impressed at the scrubbing
I hope I’m not transferring it to him - even if we’ve not been intimate for several days he could still have it there
As for the wee dribbles - we have thought this a lot as he does need to wee a huge number of times a day and there is always dribbles there so he has to take extra care
I really do appreciate all the advice we are completely stumped and I think we thought it would have a solution but now we don’t have one it’s difficult to know where to go

OP posts:
DodgeRainClouds · 25/09/2020 16:23

If he needs to urinate a lot has he been checked for diabetes? That can use issues.

DodgeRainClouds · 25/09/2020 16:23

*cause issues

cultkid · 25/09/2020 16:24

Just get him to use a baby wipe every time he does a wee

draughtycatflap · 25/09/2020 16:27

Could a bit of sweetcorn be lodged up there? Have you both been to Centre Parks lately?

JaJaDingDong · 25/09/2020 16:31

Just get him to use a baby wipe every time he does a wee

As long as he doesn't then flush it down the toilet.

StephenKong · 25/09/2020 16:33

Again?? See a doctor, fgs! Hmm. This place has gone to the bloody dogs lately.

Dillydallyingthrough · 25/09/2020 16:36

Have you had BV recently? This is a bit random but I had BV a few times in a short period of time, I was on antibiotics and was in hospital for an unconnected reason. When talking about what meds I was on and why the nurse suggested me and my partner were treated at the same time. We did this and seemed to have resolved it completely. She said not many GPs suggest it and was asking if my partners penis smelt unusual, she said she had known women have it for years and had lots of tests without trying this. It took some persuading of my partners GP though.

Suzi888 · 25/09/2020 16:40

Any other symptoms?

Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 16:41

I don’t know what you mean by Again or gone to the dogs???? It’s a genuine issue.
I’ve been here daily for over 6 years I’m not just doing this thread for fun
, I turned to here as we have no idea how to resolve it.
We’ve been to hospitals, Gp’s had every test they’ve suggested. Currently on more antibiotics as the dr is out of other ideas.
He has tried baby wipes - no good.then stopped just incase wipes were the issue.
We literally have gone thru everything we can think of

OP posts:
Pachonga · 25/09/2020 16:42

If the doctors are stumped then I’m not sure anyone here can help.

Has he considered circumscision?

TenShortStories · 25/09/2020 16:42

Something he's eaten making his wee smell? If he's a weights man, does he drink a lot of protein shakes or something, or take supplements? Not that I know of any of these specifically causing odour issues, but anything's possible.

The sweating and washing combined sounds like the most likely cause to me. A lot of the smell we get from sweating comes from the bacteria in the sweaty area, rather than the sweat itself. If he's scrubbing himself too thoroughly on a daily basis then he may have scrubbed away a lot of the variety of normal bacteria that live there and inadvertently let a single smelly one take over. Then when he sweats that bacteria can go to town producing a stink. Can he dial back the over enthusiastic washing and maybe cover his nether regions in live yoghurt each today to reintroduce a natural balance of bacteria? Grin Probiotics for the bits!

Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 16:43

Oh def will look into the BV idea thank you. I’m unfortunately chronically ill so rely on lots of daily medications, we even considered it could be due to my compromised immune system.

OP posts:
Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 16:44

He does like yoghurt Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 16:45

Asked doctor about circumcision a year or so ago but was told it’s changed so now has to meet certain criteria to get one

OP posts:
Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 16:46

Never been to Centre Parks but good suggestion Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
Smellyrichard · 25/09/2020 16:49

Google tells me Bv can’t be passed to males but will definitely query it anyway.

OP posts:
combatbarbie · 25/09/2020 16:51

www.surgeonformen.com/penis-odor-and-possible-diseases/amp/

Can you see if there's anything here that has not been investigated/tested for?

CoronaBollox · 25/09/2020 16:53

I'm going to go with sweating a lot. It can cause a bit of a .... whiff, in some people.

Has he been checked for diabetes? Sorry if you have answered but apparently that can cause. Change boxers to loose cotton type and possibly baby wipe after going toilet.

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