Genital Hygiene Basics for Men

July 25, 2023

4 mins

Taking a nice, hot shower or bath can be just what you need after a long day. Not only can it be relaxing, but it also gets you clean before bed. Good hygiene habits – especially down there – are extremely important in preventing infections and giving you the confidence you need to take on the day.

REX MD has tips for you on effective ways to stay clean, and why having good genital hygiene is important for optimal sexual health.

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How to Clean Your Penis

Maintaining proper genital hygiene can help prevent discomfort, infections, and unpleasant odors. If you’ve gone a few days without cleaning your penis, you may start to not only get smelly, but itchy as well. Poor genital hygiene can lead to irritation and inflammation, which can result in balanitis – a common genital infection in men.

Washing your genital area thoroughly with mild soap and warm water can reduce your risk of contracting an infection, while keeping you smelling good and feeling comfortable. 

Both circumcised and uncircumcised men should follow general genital hygiene practices – such as ensuring thorough drying after they wash, wearing clean underwear, and avoiding excessive moisture or friction in the genital area. We’ll outline specific differences for cleaning circumcised and uncircumcised penises.

How to clean a circumcised penis

For circumcised men, cleaning the penis typically involves washing the external genital area, including the shaft and the head of the penis (or glans). Even if you’ve been circumcised, you may still have some foreskin. If so, pull it back carefully to ensure you’re cleaning everywhere.

Once you’re done cleaning, be sure to rinse well so that no soap remains in and around the penis. Pat yourself dry to prevent moisture buildup, as moisture can contribute to the growth of bacteria. 

How to clean an uncircumcised penis

For uncircumcised men, it is very important to clean under the foreskin. Gently retracting the foreskin exposes the glans for cleaning. If the penis is left uncleansed, smegma – a natural penile lubricant – can harden and cause the foreskin to stick to the penis. This may result in irritation, swelling, redness, and inflammation. 

Always use a mild cleanser during genital cleaning, as other soaps can irritate the delicate tissues in the inner layer of the foreskin. It’s also important to remember that excessive scrubbing may also lead to irritation and discomfort since this area of your body has very sensitive skin. After cleaning under your foreskin, be sure to return it to its natural position to avoid constriction or tightness.

Pubic Hair Grooming

Whether or not you choose to shave or trim your pubic hair is up to you. “Manscaping” can help you keep your genital area tidy and make cleaning easier, but it doesn’t help or harm you from a health perspective. 

If you are looking to do some grooming, though, there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s important to shave or trim in the direction of hair growth. When you shave against the grain, there is a bigger chance of cutting yourself, getting razor burn, or developing ingrown hairs. 

Remember to keep your razor or trimming scissors sanitized so as to not infect your crotch area. In case of accidental cuts, ingrown hairs, or any other irritation, make it a point to disinfect and clean the affected area to minimize the risk of infection. 

Sexual Health and Hygiene

If you are sexually active, practicing safe and hygienic behaviors can help you maintain a healthy sex life. Ensure that you and your partner maintain clean genitals and hands to reduce bacteria from being passed between each other. 

The most effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other infections to the genitals is by using condoms. Getting tested for STIs regularly will help you protect yourself and your sexual partners against any potential infections. There are many STIs that, when left untreated, can cause serious health complications. 

Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect you’ve contracted an infection in your genital area.

Dealing with Specific Genital Hygiene Concerns

Odor

There can be several different reasons for a foul odor coming from your crotch. The easiest answer is not having cleaned your penis properly and developing excess smegma. Dried smegma in and around the penis usually tends to have a foul or sour smell. It can also lead to balanitis. 

Infections – sexually transmitted or not – can also create a bad smell in the genital area. Some of the more common infections in men include:

• Chlamydia

• Gonorrhea

• Urethritis

• Urinary tract infection

• Prostatitis 

Talk to your doctor if your genital area has a foul odor that does not subside, as it may mean there’s a more serious issue happening. These infections can typically be treated with a course of antibiotics, and prompt treatment can help reduce the risk of complications.

Itchiness 

Itchiness in the crotch area or penis tends to suggest you’re due for a shower, but there are a few other reasons why you may be experiencing discomfort. STIs such as herpes and genital warts caused by HPV can contribute to itchiness around the penis. 

Other infections are also known to make your penis and groin area itchy. These include:

• Balanitis

• Urethritis

• Pubic lice 

• Molluscum contagiosum

• Jock itch

• Male thrush (a male yeast infection) 

Additionally, there are a few skin conditions that sometimes occur on the penis – though typically transpire in other parts of the body – that can result in an itchy feeling. These include:

• Lichen nitidus

• Lichen planus

• Psoriasis

• Scabies

• Contact dermatitis

• Folliculitis

• Eczema

Scratching might seem like the only way to soothe your itch, but it’s only a temporary solution and can further irritate the area. Some effective at-home remedies for alleviating itchiness include:

• Applying a cold compress

• Bathing in colloidal oatmeal

• Applying an apple cider vinegar solution – use one part water, one part apple cider vinegar. This remedy works best on psoriasis.

• Doing a salt soak – Epsom salt or dead sea salt are suitable options.

• Applying a baking soda paste – mix baking soda with water until forming a paste. Apply it on the penis for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. This remedy works best on male thrush.

Excessive sweating

While the testicles are notorious for getting sweaty at times, the truth is that penises sweat as well. The shaft of the penis – along with the base of the penis and the rest of the groin area – contains sweat glands, some odorous and others not. During the warmer months of the year, it can be hard to avoid sweating – no matter what part of the body it's coming from. 

If you tend to perspire more in your nether regions, wearing breathable underwear and loose- fitting clothes can help you sweat less. Also consider using a mild cleanser to maintain genital hygiene on those extra-warm days.

Learn More About Genital Hygiene

Proper hygiene is essential for staying healthy and feeling good. Showering daily can keep you smelling good and reduce your risk of itchy and smelly genital infections.

When you smell fresh and you don’t have to worry about scratching down there in public, you can start to feel more sure of yourself. Knowing that your genital hygiene won’t stand in the way of your day will keep you feeling as good as you smell.