Maintaining Proper Groin Hygiene

Unfortunately, due to the fact that it’s caught in a warm...

moist, dark place all day, your nether regions are the perfect environment to grow bacteria, especially the kind that emit odor. No time is this more prevalent than in the hot and humid days of summer. George Washington University dermatologist Kelley Pagliai Redbord M.D. says, “Sweat and moisture mix with the natural bacteria on your skin to cause body odor.” The groin has within it apocrine glands which when combined with sweat can produce some alarming odors. Though you may have never heard any complaints, it’s important to make sure no unseemly smells are lurking below the surface of your underwear. You certainly do not want your partner turned off by the idea of oral sex. What’s more, one bad experience can ruin the reputation of an otherwise amazing guy. Here are some strategies you can imply to eliminate or prevent odor. Pubic hair can not only trap moisture, it can capture smells as well. That’s why it may be a good idea to employ a little manscaping down there. You want the skin to be dry and cool. You certainly do not have to be bald down there. But a little trimming to keep it nice and neat and not give moisture, bacteria or odors a place to hide will not only keep things fresh down there, it will make the area look more attractive, and perhaps more inviting.

Southern Illinois University urologist Tobias Köhler, M.D. says it’s important to spend time cleaning the area properly. There are many folds and crevices so do it justice and spend a little more time and energy on that area during your daily shower. Köhler says, “Don’t just wipe some soap on the area. Use some pressure and get into all those crevices.” Redbord adds that if you are uncircumcised, be sure to attend to the area underneath the foreskin and to clean it out well. After your shower, dry the groin area well, particularly in summer. Just a little talcum or baby powder might do the trick as well. “Reduce moisture, and you’ll reduce body odor,” says Redbord. She even suggests that after you shower, use a blow dryer to get it completely dry. Be careful and be sure to hold the device an arm’s length away. Burns are never nice but there are some places you really don’t want to get one. Wear breathable underwear. Cotton is always a good option. In the heat and humidity of summer, Redbord even suggests using a little underarm deodorant down there, applied underneath the scrotum to eliminate odor and keep the region moisture free.

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Your groin is the perfect incubator for unpleasant smells: It’s hot, humid, and tucked beneath layers of stink-trapping clothing. 

“Sweat and moisture mix with the natural bacteria on your skin to cause body odor,” explains Kelley Pagliai Redbord, M.D., a dermatologist at George Washington University. Specifically, your groin contains a number of apocrine glands that release secretions which, when mixed with sweat, can lead to some alarming scents, she adds.

Even if you’ve never caught a whiff of something nasty—or heard complaints from female companions—chances are good there are unsightly smells lurking underneath your underwear. Along with turning her off from oral sex, one smelly encounter could earn you a bad reputation with your partner and her pals. 

Here, Redbord and other experts offer tips to remove and prevent those unwanted aromas:  

Consider a new haircut. Pubic hair traps dampness and odors, and also makes it difficult for the underlying skin to stay cool and dry, Redbord says. You don’t have to shave yourself bare. But pruning your hedges with a beard trimmer can help keep gross odors at bay, she says. 

Wash like you mean it. You’ve already lost the war if you fail to clean out the bad-smelling gunk that accumulates in the many folds and clefts that comprise your groin area, says Tobias Köhler, M.D., a urologist at Southern Illinois University. He says elbow grease and attention to detail are the most important parts of washing. “Don’t just wipe some soap on the area,” he warns. “Use some pressure and get into all those crevices.” An antibacterial soap could also help if all else fails, Redbord says. And if you're uncircumcised, be sure to clean below your foreskin, she stresses.   

Dry out. “Reduce moisture, and you’ll reduce body odor,” Redbord promises. To do that, she says it’s necessary to fully dry out your junk before dressing—especially during the summer when you’re hot all the time. “Consider using a blow dryer to get the area completely dry,” she suggests. (Now you’ll get to be that guy at the gym.) Damp towels or washcloths also accumulate bacteria, so they could contribute to your problem, Redbord adds. Make sure you’re using clean, dry linens every time you step out of the shower. 

Put on the finishing touches. Cotton is breathable, and so sporting cotton briefs and clothing can help keep your package stink-free, Redbord says. In the middle of the summer when the temps and humidity skyrocket, a swipe of underarm deodorant on the underside of your scrotum can also help target the area of your worst odor, she adds. 

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