Is it normal to smell in your pants on your own? (2024)

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Your body is filled with strange and wonderful surprises. Some of them can (unfortunately) have a smell. Odor from exercise is normal, but if you can smell a strong odor through your pants that would be another cause for concern. Keep reading for some reasons why you might smell through your pants and how to treat the underlying condition.

The vagin* relies on a pH balance to maintain tissue health. If infection or other changes occur, the pH balance is disrupted which can lead to an unusual odor. Here are some examples of these potential causes.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that commonly affects women of childbearing age and occurs due to an overgrowth of bacteria.
Symptoms include:
Unusual or excessive gray or white vagin*l discharge Strong odor that can be described as "fishy" Itching and burning sensation in the groin. Although the condition can clear up on its own, doctors also prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications to reduce the impact of the infection.

Tampon gets stuck
Sometimes, the inserted tampon can flip to the side or the cord of the tampon can move up into the vagin*. As a result, you may forget a tampon or have such a hard time removing it that it stays there longer than intended.
Symptoms of a stuck tampon include:
Discolored, foul-smelling discharge Pain when urinating Fever Swelling in or around the vagin*. The opening of the cervix is ​​not large enough for the tampon to pass through your vagin*. But stuck tampons can cause serious side effects, including an illness known as toxic shock syndrome.
To prevent this from happening, remove the tampon with clean hands and trim your nails as quickly as possible.
Trichom*oniasis
Trichom*onas is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects about 3.7 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While only a third of people with the disease have symptoms, they include:
Discolored vagin*l discharge Painful urination Pain around the groin area Unusual fishy odor Treatment with antifungal medications, such as metronidazole . A person can become infected with trichom*oniasis again, even if they have been treated before.
Rectal fistula
A rectovagin*l fistula is an abnormal connection between the rectum and the vagin* that causes stool and other bowel contents to leak into the vagin*.
The most common cause is a birth-related injury that causes a 3rd or 4th degree vagin*l tear. However, a history of surgery, Crohn's disease, or cancer can cause this condition.
Symptoms include:
Odor of intestinal gas from the vagin* Irregular bleeding Passing stools through the vagin* Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes due to menopause can lead to thinning of vagin*l tissues, This can affect the pH balance in the vagin*. This can cause an unusually acidic odor.
Although odor doesn't need to be treated, doctors can treat menopause-related vagin*l atrophy with topical or oral hormones.
Cervical or vagin*l cancer
Cervical or vagin*l cancers usually do not cause symptoms until their later stages. However, some people may notice:
Unusual bleeding Pain during sex Unusual vagin*l discharge that may have a foul odor Treatment depends on the type of cancer and if it has spread. These may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

People with a penis are also susceptible to infections and other conditions that can cause an unusual and severe odor.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating. Men are especially vulnerable to injury in the groin area because the testicl*s can rub against the skin, creating friction and increased sweating. The sweat produced can attract fungi and bacteria, leading to bad odors.
This is treated with cornstarch to absorb excess sweat, wash and dry the groin area frequently with mild soap, and wear underwear that is not too tight (such as shorts). If sweating continues, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat excessive sweating.
smegm*
smegm* can occur in uncircumcised men, causing dead skin cells, fluid, and oil to build up. As a result, thick, white, and strong-smelling mucus can accumulate underneath the foreskin. The excess buildup can cause swelling, redness, and discomfort.
If left untreated, smegm* can lead to balanitis of the penis. Removal of smegm* involves pulling the foreskin back and cleaning it gently with soap and warm water.
Balanitis
Balanitis is a condition that commonly affects uncircumcised men causing narrowing of the foreskin, infection and irritation of the foreskin. Symptoms include:
Itching Painful Narrowing of the foreskin Some people also have problems with painful urination. Treatment for balanitis includes topical creams to reduce inflammation and itching as well as antibiotics or oral antifungals to treat the infection.
Non-gonococcal urethritis
Non-gonococcal urethritis is an infection of the urethra (the tube through which urine flows before leaving the penis).
Common causes include chlamydia infection as well as trauma to the urethra, such as catheter trauma. The additional presence of bacteria can cause unpleasant odors.
Doctors will usually treat this condition with antibiotics, such as doxycycline.
Fournier's gangrene
Fournier's gangrene is a serious infection of the penis, perineum, or scrotum. Symptoms include:
Fever Swelling of the genitals Severe, bad smell coming from the groin indicating dead tissue Treatment with antibiotics to treat infection and surgical removal of dead tissue. If left untreated, it can be fatal. Some people may need reconstructive surgery to treat this condition.

Some of the underlying causes of groin odor affecting both women and men:
Poor hygiene
Limiting frequent bathing can lead to dirt, sweat and dead skin cells build up leading to Your clothes have a strong smell. You can reduce these effects by showering regularly and washing with mild soap and warm water.
Sweating
Sweating in the groin area can attract fungi and bacteria that lead to bad odors. Showering after exercise or sporting activity can help reduce the unpleasant effects of odors associated with sweating.
Wearing clean and dry clothes after a sweat session can also help. Avoid wearing tight clothing, which will make you sweat more.
Diet
Eating certain foods can temporarily affect your body odor. This includes the smell of your sweat or urine.
Foods that can cause strong body odor include asparagus, garlic, onions, peppers, vinegar, marinated fish and fermented dairy products.
Medicines
Some medications can increase the body's ability to sweat, increasing the odor in the groin area. This is true of several antidepressants, including:
Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta) Escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro) Paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil) Sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft) Sex
It's not uncommon to notice your groin has Slightly unusual smell after sexual activity. Violent sex can cause sweating that increases odor. If you or the other person has a yeast or other infection, the odor may increase.
You don't need to use anything special to clean your penis or vagin* after sex to reduce odor. Instead, you can just use soap and water.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract. Symptoms may include:
Painful urination Pain on one side Nausea Bad-smelling urine that you can smell through your clothes UTI treatment may include antibiotics, drinking enough fluids, and medication over-the-counter pain relievers for pain relief.
Urine
Sometimes, leaking urine can cause urine to collect on your underwear or skin. This can lead to smelly groin. If you have a urinary tract infection, you may experience a particularly unpleasant odor.
Practicing good hygiene, such as changing underwear when wet or wiping the groin area thoroughly with soap, warm water, and a washcloth can help.
Yeast infections
Yeast infections can affect people with penises and vagin*s. They can cause a bread-like odor in the groin area as well as unusual discharge, itching, redness, and skin irritation.
Treatment may include topical antifungal ointments or oral antifungal medications. If you have recurrent infections, you should talk to your doctor about other treatments.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Some STIs can lead to an unusual or odorous discharge in the groin. These conditions don't always cause symptoms, which is why it's important to get tested for STIs regularly.

Some signs you should see your doctor sooner include:
Fever above 101.5°F (38.6°C) Bad-smelling urine or urine Problems urinating If you are pregnant and have Unusual smell from the groin, you should also visit your obstetrician-gynecologist or midwife for an examination.
Your doctor can address potential causes with you and recommend testing and treatment as indicated.
There are many reasons why you can smell the smell through your pants and most of them are very treatable. If you can't change the smell through hygiene, talk to your doctor to determine potential treatments.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured to visit. examination and treatment at the Hospital.

References
Cervical cancer. (2019). Chung, JM, et al. (2019). Microbiology of smegm*: prospective comparative control study. Fournier gangrene. (2017).

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