Smegma

Smegma, a transliteration of the Greek word σμήγμα for sebum, is a combination of shed epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture, and can accumulate under the foreskin of males and within the vulva of females. It has a characteristic strong odor. Smegma is common to all mammals, male and female. Mycobacterium smegmatis is the characteristic bacterium involved in smegma production, and is generally thought to form smegma from epidermal secretions.

In healthy animals, smegma helps clean and lubricate the genitals. In veterinary medicine, analysis of this smegma is sometimes used for detection of urinary infections, such as trichomoniasis. Some have recommended periodic cleaning of male genitals to improve the health of the animal.

Human smegma
Both males and females produce smegma. In males smegma is produced and accumulates under the foreskin of uncircumcised individuals; in females it collects around the clitoris and in the folds of the labia minora.

Smegma is noticeable as a smooth or moist texture until it is allowed to accumulate, when it takes on its characteristic texture and appearance described in many texts as "cheesy". Because smegma tends to accumulate under the foreskin in males, its presence is less common and less noticeable in circumcised males.

The subpreputial moisture keeps the glans moist and may lubricate the movement of the foreskin. However, if allowed to accumulate and decay in the foreskin cavity it can provide an ideal medium for potentially pathogenic bacteria to colonize; current medical opinion is that allowing smegma to accumulate freely is unhealthy. Accumulation of smegma can cause or aggravate a variety of irritations known as balanitis. Per the SEER database, the incidence of developing a primary penile cancer is less than 1 per 100,000 in the general population, but for uncircumcised males the rate is estimated to be as high as 1 per 600. Circumcision at a young age appears to be more protective against cancer of the penis than at the time of puberty or later. Early medical studies such as those by Plaut (1947) and Heins et al (1958) claimed that smegma accumulation led to the development of penile cancer, but the American Cancer Society states that more recent studies have failed to support this. Penile cancer is extremely uncommon in Jewish and Muslim populations that practice circumcision at infancy and between the ages of 3-13, respectively.

Preventing accumulation is best done by rinsing the area with warm water. In females, the hood of the clitoris can be gently pulled back to wash away accumulated smegma. Some argue that soap is best avoided because it depletes natural skin oils and may cause non-specific dermatitis. Noticeably unpleasant cheese-like odors can be an indicator of a potentially serious medical problem, or a need to gently wash away excess with water. Deodorant sprays or washes may cause thrush or thrush-like conditions &mdash; washing using warm water only is recommended by health professionals for individuals with sensitive skin, or who suffer from dermatitis reactions to using soap-like products.

Images of smegma

 * Images of smegma on male genitals:
 * Images of smegma on female genitals: