Strong penis odor can be a source of embarrassment for men, especially during the hot and sweaty months of summer. For some men, a simple application of powder early in the morning is all they do to combat this common problem. But is the use of talcum powder compatible with proper penis care? And, equally important, does it really combat penis odor?

The penis odor dilemma

The smell of penis has existed since men have existed. Yes, our early ancestors ran without clothes and therefore enjoyed the benefits of constantly ventilating the penis. But those same cave-dwellers didn’t have soap either, and they didn’t wash very often, which means their packs had an even higher degree of penis odor than ours.

So why is this particular body part prone to stink? Well, for one thing, it’s usually packed under two solid layers of clothing: pants and underwear. And often those underwear are tight fitting, adding to the warmth quotient. Add to that the fact that unless a man shaves his manhood, it’s topped off by a large layer of insulating hair, in addition to the hair that lines the balls. Finally, men get erections throughout the day, whether they are aroused or not. The erection process consists of enlarging the penis by filling it with blood; this in turn adds even more heat to the area.

Excess moisture is a natural byproduct of all that heat, and sweat tends to bring with it odor-causing bacteria—hence, the scent factory that is a typical man’s crotch.

talcum powder solution

For many years, men have tried to keep manhood odor at bay by strategically sprinkling, or in some cases, liberally pouring, talcum powder on their penises, balls, and crotch. Talcum powder is famous for its use in keeping babies’ bottoms soft and dry, so its use on the penis is understandable. But is it the best solution for penis odor?

Since most talcum powder comes with a scent of its own, it can be effective for a short time in masking odor. The drying qualities associated with the product may also be effective in the short term; but it lacks the staying power needed for a tough case of stink.

More importantly, talcum powder does not contain ingredients that can actively combat the causes of penis odor, especially bacteria. So once the initial benefits wear off and the sweat starts to rain down, the dust just keeps piling up. Therefore, while it may provide some temporary coverage, it cannot by itself provide an effective solution to the problem.

Adding to this issue are concerns expressed by some that prolonged use of talcum powder may have negative health benefits. The problem is that not enough studies have been done to answer this question one way or another, so some doctors advise caution in long-term use of the powder.

beyond the dust

Even men who use talc need to take other steps to combat unwanted odors. Proper cleaning of the area is crucial, of course; so is finding time each day to let masculinity “air out.” (Sleeping naked is one way to achieve this goal.)

Most importantly though, a man definitely needs to go beyond talcum powder and regularly use a superior penile health cream. (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to help with penis odor. To be effective, the cream must absolutely include vitamin A. This vitamin is well known for its antibacterial properties that do a splendid job of actively fighting bacteria that are the main cause of a smelly penis. It is also essential that the cream contains alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant. Alpha Lipoic Acid helps modify the aging process of penile cell metabolism, which in turn keeps penile skin healthier. Healthier penile skin is in a much better position to fight off odor-causing bacteria. With the right cream, penis odor can be effectively reduced.