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What Causes Strong Odor Around Genitals Along With Rashes?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Question: I don't really have any discharge but at times, actually most of the time my penis has a strong odor. I've had it for a few years I thought it was from the high cholesterol meds I was taking because it started about that time. My semen or urine don't smell...my semen is actually XXXXXXX in color...i'm 56 and I hear it gets XXXXXXX colored when you get older but I'm thinking I'm still too young for that. I'm in fairly good shape and have been working out and losing weight. So basically the wetness from my penis has a strong odor...and recently after tucking after I pee the urine has been irritating the skin in my groin area and has caused a rash. Also my girlfriend (who has had cervical cancer and is sensitive) complains of being in pain after we have sex and ejaculating inside her. We've only been dating a few months and sex with me has been painful afterwards. She seems to think it's her because of her issues but I'm starting to think it may be me. please advise. I'll see a doctor next week when I get home from working offshore. Also why is my seaman tan? Is this normal for my age?

I've only recently started getting the rash...about 2 months ago. I've been dating this girl for about 8 months.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Smegma can have bad odour due to superadded fungal infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for posting your query here on healthcaremagic.com

I have read through your question carefully and understand your concern.

The strong odour/odor from the penis is most likely due to accumulation of smegma (normal skin debris) within the prepuce (under the foreskin). The dead skin cells are then metabolised by the normal bacterial flora around the glans like mycobacterium smegmatis, etc. at times, there can be additional fungi that also feed on dead cells, and this can result in a strong odor.

The solution to this problem is simple washing with soap and hot water, and keep the foreskin and the inner side dry, wash the area with soap and water twice a day and that should suffice.

Now this brings us to the other problem, XXXXXXX colored semen. By XXXXXXX you mean brown color I guess, and brown discolouration is mostly due to old blood in the semen.

Bleeding in the prostate, seminal vesicles or testes can be the reason for this.

Bleeding from testes and seminal vesicles is most often due to direct trauma, however, bleeding from the prostate can be due to infection/inflammation.

Prostate, as we age, becomes enlarged, and it is quite common to develop prostate enlargement in your age. An enlarged prostate predisposes one to develop recurrent infections, and these can lead to minor bleeding, that presents as brownish semen.

Consult a urologist and get yourself examined to rule out prostate pathology.

As for pain after sexual intercourse in your partner, it may be due to cervical erosions, and vaginal irritation caused by alkaline pH of the semen. Use a condom to avoid ejaculating into the vagina, or your partner can use lubricants and vaginal applications that maintain the pH in balance.

I hope to have addressed your query adequately, please feel free to write back to me if you have additional concerns.

Wishing you good health.

Best regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (34 minutes later)
The odor is not from the exterior of my penis, for I'm circumcised, but emanates from the penile wetness. The odor is strong sometimes and others not so much. I've not hurt myself in the groin area, however I did have a colonoscopy about 5 years ago...and this has started sometime thereafter...I would guess about 1-2 years ago. At that time my prostrate was healthy and I've not had any problems...so far other than the odor and now the tan/brown seaman. I've had the odor for years...about 6-8 because I thought it was do to the cholesterol meds I started taking. I just thought it was a side affect.

What about the rash I'm getting on my leg/groin area after tucking when finished peeing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your description is consistent with lower urinary tract infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Thank you very much for writing back and clarifying.

Your history is consistent with features of lower urinary tract infection, most likely a chronic prostatitis. Likely to be bacterial in nature.

This would explain all the symptoms you have mentioned, including the pain experienced by your partner after sexual intercourse.

My suggestions to you are,

1. Consult a urologist and get yourself examined.
2. Get a routine urine exam along with culture and sensitivity done.
3. Get a complete semen analysis including culture and sensitivity test done.

You might need a prolonged course antibiotics to get rid of the infection completely.

I hope this answers your question, please feel free to write back if you have any more doubts.

Best regards.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Yogesh D

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 1130 Questions

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What Causes Strong Odor Around Genitals Along With Rashes?

Brief Answer: Smegma can have bad odour due to superadded fungal infection. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query here on healthcaremagic.com I have read through your question carefully and understand your concern. The strong odour/odor from the penis is most likely due to accumulation of smegma (normal skin debris) within the prepuce (under the foreskin). The dead skin cells are then metabolised by the normal bacterial flora around the glans like mycobacterium smegmatis, etc. at times, there can be additional fungi that also feed on dead cells, and this can result in a strong odor. The solution to this problem is simple washing with soap and hot water, and keep the foreskin and the inner side dry, wash the area with soap and water twice a day and that should suffice. Now this brings us to the other problem, XXXXXXX colored semen. By XXXXXXX you mean brown color I guess, and brown discolouration is mostly due to old blood in the semen. Bleeding in the prostate, seminal vesicles or testes can be the reason for this. Bleeding from testes and seminal vesicles is most often due to direct trauma, however, bleeding from the prostate can be due to infection/inflammation. Prostate, as we age, becomes enlarged, and it is quite common to develop prostate enlargement in your age. An enlarged prostate predisposes one to develop recurrent infections, and these can lead to minor bleeding, that presents as brownish semen. Consult a urologist and get yourself examined to rule out prostate pathology. As for pain after sexual intercourse in your partner, it may be due to cervical erosions, and vaginal irritation caused by alkaline pH of the semen. Use a condom to avoid ejaculating into the vagina, or your partner can use lubricants and vaginal applications that maintain the pH in balance. I hope to have addressed your query adequately, please feel free to write back to me if you have additional concerns. Wishing you good health. Best regards