Male genital odor is almost always caused by bacteria breaking down sweat, not by the sweat itself. The groin is packed with apocrine glands, the same type found in your armpits, and the warm, enclosed environment makes it one of the most odor-prone areas on your body. The good news: a few targeted changes to how you wash, dry, dress, and eat can make a noticeable difference within days.
Why the Smell Happens
Fresh sweat from your groin is actually odorless. The smell develops when bacteria living on your skin, particularly Corynebacterium species, break that sweat down into volatile compounds. The most abundant of these produces a rancid, cheesy smell. Others create an onion-like scent. Heat, moisture, and friction accelerate this process, which is why the odor tends to be strongest after exercise, long days sitting, or sleeping in tight clothing.
A buildup called smegma can also contribute, especially if you’re uncircumcised. Smegma is a thick, white or yellowish substance made of skin oils, dead skin cells, and sweat that collects under the foreskin when the area isn’t washed regularly. It has a distinct, strong odor and provides a feeding ground for even more bacteria.
How to Wash Properly
Use a mild, fragrance-free soap. Products labeled “hypoallergenic” or “for sensitive skin” are ideal. Avoid anything with heavy fragrances, dyes, or alcohol, since these can irritate the thin genital skin and actually worsen odor by disrupting your skin’s natural balance. You don’t need a specialized “intimate wash” unless you prefer one. A gentle, unscented bar or liquid soap works fine.
If you’re uncircumcised, gently pull the foreskin back as far as it comfortably goes and wash underneath with your hands or a clean washcloth. Rinse thoroughly. This single step prevents smegma buildup and eliminates one of the most common sources of persistent odor. If you’re circumcised, a standard wash of the entire shaft and head with soap and water is sufficient.
Don’t skip the surrounding areas. Wash the crease where your thighs meet your groin, behind your scrotum, and around your perineum. These folds trap sweat and bacteria just as effectively as the penis itself.
Drying Is Just as Important as Washing
Moisture is the single biggest factor that keeps odor going between showers. Bacteria and fungi thrive in damp environments, and a groin that stays wet after bathing is an open invitation for both. Pat the area completely dry with a clean towel before getting dressed. Don’t rush this step.
If you’re prone to sweating throughout the day, a light dusting of body powder (cornstarch-based, not talc) can help absorb moisture. This is especially useful in warm climates or before workouts. Keeping the area dry also prevents jock itch, a fungal infection that adds its own unpleasant smell to the mix and causes persistent itching along the inner thighs and groin folds.
Choose the Right Underwear
Tight, synthetic underwear traps heat and sweat against your skin for hours. Switch to breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking athletic blends. Change your underwear daily, and swap to a fresh pair after any workout or heavy sweating. If you tend to sweat a lot during sleep, consider sleeping in loose shorts or nothing at all to let the area air out overnight.
Pubic Hair: Trim, Don’t Shave
Long pubic hair can hold onto sweat and bacteria, creating a more humid environment close to the skin. Trimming it short with a body groomer reduces this effect without the risks that come with shaving. Full removal through shaving or waxing can cause microtrauma to the skin, tiny cuts and irritation that may actually spread bacteria and increase infection risk in the genital area. Hair also appears to harbor proteins with antimicrobial properties, so keeping some length is a reasonable middle ground. A short trim gives you the hygiene benefit without the downsides.
What You Eat Affects How You Smell
Your diet genuinely changes your body odor, including in the groin. Research from Macquarie University found that men who ate more fruits and vegetables produced sweat that smelled more pleasant, with floral, fruity, and sweet qualities. Diets higher in healthy fats, eggs, and protein were also associated with better-smelling sweat. On the other hand, high-carbohydrate diets were linked to stronger, less pleasant body odor.
This doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire diet. But if you’re eating a lot of refined carbs and processed food while skipping produce, adding more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein may improve things over a few weeks. Staying well-hydrated also dilutes the concentration of odor compounds in your sweat.
When Odor Signals Something More Serious
A mild musky smell is normal. A strong, foul, or fishy odor that doesn’t go away after thorough washing may point to an infection. Male yeast infections cause a red, itchy, patchy rash on the head of the penis along with foul-smelling discharge and sometimes shiny sores or blisters. These are more common in uncircumcised men and those with diabetes or weakened immune systems. A yeast infection requires antifungal treatment to clear up.
Bacterial infections, certain STIs, and urinary tract infections can also cause unusual odors, often accompanied by discharge, pain during urination, or visible skin changes. If you notice any of these alongside the smell, it’s worth getting checked. A provider can take a simple swab to identify the cause and prescribe the right treatment.
One rare but dangerous condition worth knowing about is Fournier’s gangrene, a rapidly spreading infection of the genital tissue. The warning signs are a putrid smell combined with fever, chills, confusion, or nausea and vomiting. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate care.