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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Fishy penis..? What could be causing it?

37 replies

YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:04

I have a male friend with whom i have a casual sexual relationship. Fwbs, I suppose.

We are in a bubble...

We spend most weekends together but don't always have sex.

We had sex at the weekend and I noticed that he had a fishy odour.

I've always associated this with recent sex. We have told each other that we aren't having sex with anyone else currently because of lockdown. He is being very cautious generally and is quite anxious about going anywhere or even meeting up with friends in the park. He works from home so doesn't have much cause to go out.

I've never had any reason to doubt him. He's generally an honest man.

And, tbh, we've only confirmed exclusivity due to lockdown. There was never any expectation of it before.

If he has had sex with someone else, I'm not bothered about the sex, just that it would mean our bubble wasn't the only bubble he is in!

Do I broach it with him? Are there any other explanations?

OP posts:
Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 27/01/2021 16:05

Probably just sweat and not wiping after a pee.

YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:07

Really? That could cause a fishy smell?

OP posts:
Ostryga · 27/01/2021 16:08

Eurgh. I hope you are using condoms!

TheVolturi · 27/01/2021 16:08

If he has been with someone else for him to smell like that he'd need to not have washed in between surely? Which is totally grim.

Tallybeebloom · 27/01/2021 16:10

I don't think I could be having sex with someone whose penis smelled fishy, whatever the reason!

mummytolittledragons · 27/01/2021 16:10

Get yourself to the GUM clinic just in case.

YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:15

Tbh, I wouldnt normally but it had been some time! We used a condom.

But, tbh, eurgh and judgement wasn't really what I was looking for 🙄

He's a very clean man and showers at least once a day. His personal hygiene is impeccable.

This is the first time I've ever noticed the smell.

OP posts:
YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:17

No other 'symptoms'.

OP posts:
Fuckityfucksake · 27/01/2021 16:22

Official causes include a UTI or an STI called Trichomonas.
Both would have additional symptoms.

Could it be his diet? Although I'm not sure how much of something you'd have to eat to make it a really strong smell.

He's maybe not cleaning it properly, particularly if he has a foreskin.

Or your suggestion which actually makes me feel sick!

I would take the advice upthread too and go get yourself checked.

YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:24

It wasn't really strong. But definitely noticeable.

He's changed his diet recently. Quite significantly. And definitely since the last time we had sex.

Definitely no other symptoms.

OP posts:
YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:25

We used protection. I'm more concerned about covid than anything else!

OP posts:
2me2u2u2me · 27/01/2021 16:25

It's usually caused by a UTI, urinary tract infection, google the causes.

YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:27

Thanks. I did google but there seemed to be lots of symptoms and cause all lumped together.

OP posts:
MrsBobDylan · 27/01/2021 16:33

Jesus Christ. Some bloke I've never met is now in my head with his fishy penis. Somethings are best left unshared op.

courtrai · 27/01/2021 16:34

For what it's worth I know asparagus gives urine a very odd smell - could just be something he'd eaten.

YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 16:37

MrsBobDylan

Well, given the title of the thread, it was hardly a surprise. You didnt have to read it!

OP posts:
Dogonahottinroof · 27/01/2021 16:43

@MrsBobDylan

Jesus Christ. Some bloke I've never met is now in my head with his fishy penis. Somethings are best left unshared op.
Not a problem for Bob then?
Tiger2018 · 27/01/2021 16:45

I've had a similar experience with a FWB a few years ago - he'd eaten scampi the day before... didn't taste or smell funny after that one time. Another time it tasted like liquorice - I asked him that time and you guessed it, that's what he'd eaten (fyi it tasted nice lol). I've never experienced it with anyone else so I guess some men are prone to it 'transferring' more than others? If it was me I wouldn't worry about it or better yet, ask at the time so he's aware to stay away from smelly foods (grin)

MrsBobDylan · 27/01/2021 16:48

@Dogonahottinroof of course not, impeccable hygiene!

Op, I clicked on it thinking it could be someone's partner who was suffering from an ongoing problem, not someone worrying that their casual shag was smelling of fishy sex from his previous shag (which is what you are worried about).

If a man posted saying that his Fwb had a fishy vag and he thought that she might have slept with another man before him there would be uproar.

Hangingover · 27/01/2021 16:55

I've dated a couple of men with this problem, especially first thing in the morning. Apparently caused by a buildup up of old smegma in the urethra which come out in their precum. Unless it's a new thing and chased by an infection, there's nothing much you can do apart from getting him to wash thoroughly first.

nolovelost · 27/01/2021 17:00

I had a big fish from the chippy last week. The next day my faff reaked of fish!

YesterdaysPizza · 27/01/2021 17:00

Op, I clicked on it thinking it could be someone's partner who was suffering from an ongoing problem, not someone worrying that their casual shag was smelling of fishy sex from his previous shag (which is what you are worried about).

Well surely the causes would/could be the same?

Its not what I'm 'worried' about. I just wondered what the possible causes were. I'd be very surprised if he was having sex with anyone else, tbh. He not even meeting up with friends for walks, sanitises his hands when he gets in the house and wears gloves when he goes to the supermarket.

It's the least likely explanation in my opinion. But still a possibility.

As it would be if he were my long term partner.

OP posts:
Raidblunner · 27/01/2021 17:40

Fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) facts*
*Fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) facts Medically Edited by: Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD

Fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) is a genetic disease; symptoms are often present from birth.
Fish odor syndrome is characterized by an offensive body odor and the smell of rotting fish due to the excessive excretion of trimethylaminuria (TMA) in the urine, sweat, and breath of affected individuals.
Fish odor syndrome is caused by mutations in the FMO3 gene.
Other causes of odor body can occur as a result from an excess of proteins in the diet, or from an increase in bacteria that normally produce trimethylamine in the GI tract (also may make fish odor syndrome worse); liver disease, kidney disease, poor hygiene, gingivitis, and cases of blood-borne halitosis. Diagnostic tests that help differentiate fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) from other causes of body odor are available at specialized laboratories.

YesMeLady · 27/01/2021 17:54

How has his diet changed, does he take fish oil supplements. Does he have any discomfort.

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