Smegma - Revision history

WikiModEn2 at 12:49, 24 April 2026

2026-04-24T12:49:38Z

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	\|url=		\|url=
	\|accessdate=2019-10-16		\|accessdate=2019-10-16
	}}</ref> Smegma is ''not'' dirt or "filth". It is natural, normal, benign, painless, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal		}}</ref> <u>Smegma is ''not'' dirt or "filth".</u> It is natural, normal, benign, painless, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal
	\|last=Van Howe		\|last=Van Howe
	\|init=RS		\|init=RS

WikiModEn2: /* How to get rid of a build up of hard smegma, the easy way */ Add external link.

2026-04-24T12:26:21Z

How to get rid of a build up of hard smegma, the easy way: Add external link.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 24 April 2026
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	\|date=2025-10-01		\|date=2025-10-01
	\|accessdate=2025-10-14		\|accessdate=2025-10-14
			}}
			* {{REFweb
			\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1stxi7z/smegma_experience/
			\|title=Smegma experience
			\|last=Anonymous
			\|publisher=Reddit
			\|date=2025-04-23
			\|accessdate=2026-04-24
	}}		}}
	{{ABBR}}		{{ABBR}}

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	[[Image:Female smegma.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Smegma on a human [[vulva]].]]		[[Image:Female smegma.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Smegma on a human [[vulva]].]]

	'''Smegma''' is the name given to a flaky material that accumulates underneath the [[foreskin]] in males, and underneath the [[clitoral hood]] and within the labial folds in females. In males, it is composed of secretions of ectopic sebaceous glands in the [[foreskin]], mixed with secretions of the prostate, seminal vesicles, mucin from the urethral glands, and desquamated epithelial cells.<ref>{{REFjournal		'''Smegma''' is the name given to the flaky material that accumulates underneath the [[foreskin]] in males, and underneath the [[clitoral hood]] and within the labial folds in females. In males, it is composed of secretions of ectopic sebaceous glands in the [[foreskin]], mixed with secretions of the prostate, seminal vesicles, mucin from the urethral glands, and desquamated epithelial cells.<ref>{{REFjournal
	\|last=Parkash		\|last=Parkash
	\|init=S		\|init=S
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	\|url=		\|url=
	\|accessdate=2019-10-16		\|accessdate=2019-10-16
	}}</ref> Smegma is not dirt or "filth". It is natural, normal, benign, painless, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal		}}</ref> Smegma is ''not'' dirt or "filth". It is natural, normal, benign, painless, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal
	\|last=Van Howe		\|last=Van Howe
	\|init=RS		\|init=RS
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	\|DOI=10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x		\|DOI=10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x
	\|accessdate=2019-10-16		\|accessdate=2019-10-16
	}}</ref> Smegma is not an irritant and does not cause itching. It may remain in the [[preputial sac]] for extended periods without doing harm. Its presence is not considered esthetic, so it is customary to wash it away prior to a sexual encounter.		}}</ref> Smegma is ''not'' an irritant and does ''not'' cause itching. The simple presence of smegma in the preputial sac is ''not'' unsanitary, unhygenic, or unhealthy. It does ''not'' cause disease. It may remain in the [[preputial sac]] for extended periods without doing harm. Its presence is not considered esthetic, so it is customary to wash it away prior to a sexual encounter.

	[[Intact]] adult males who wash their [[penis]] and [[glans]] periodically with clean water usually do not have smegma between the inner foreskin and glans. In infants and boys whose [[foreskin]] cannot yet be pulled back (natural [[phimosis]]), smegma doesn't matter, while the [[foreskin]] protects the glans. The illustration "Smegma on a human penis" is therefore not typical for [[intact]] men who wash their genitals regularly. Hardened smegma accumulations may be softened by soaking with vegetable oil.		[[Intact]] adult males who wash their [[penis]] and [[glans]] periodically with clean water usually do not have smegma between the inner foreskin and [[glans]]. In infants and boys whose [[foreskin]] cannot yet be pulled back (natural [[phimosis]]), smegma doesn't matter, while the [[foreskin]] protects the glans. The illustration "Smegma on a human penis" is therefore not typical for [[intact]] men who wash their genitals regularly. Hardened smegma accumulations may be softened by soaking with vegetable oil.

	Excessive washing and the use of soap inside the [[foreskin]] should be avoided, because soap removes the [[skin]] oil so it can cause non-specific dermatitis that may be mistaken for [[balanitis]].<ref name="birley1933">{{REFjournal		Excessive washing and the use of soap inside the [[foreskin]] should be avoided, because soap removes the [[skin]] oil so it can cause non-specific dermatitis that may be mistaken for [[balanitis]].<ref name="birley1933">{{REFjournal

WikiModEn2: /* Control of smegma */

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Control of smegma

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	}}</ref>		}}</ref>

	The smegma may be washed away using warm water when necessary. Soap, body wash, and shampoo remove the natural oil so they should not be used in the [[preputial sac]].<ref name="birley1933" />		The smegma may be washed away using warm water when necessary. Men with a non-retractable [[foreskin]] may use a rubber-bulb type ear syringe to flush smegma out of their [[preputial sac]] with warm water. Soap, body wash, and shampoo remove the natural oil so they should not be used in the [[preputial sac]].<ref name="birley1933" />

	==Video==		==Video==

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	\|format=		\|format=
	}}		}}
			* {{REFweb
			\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1nv1yet/comment/nh898gc/
			\|title=Is it normal to be getting smegma daily?
			\|last=Anonymous
			\|first=
			\|init=
			\|author-link=
			\|publisher=REDDIT
			\|date=2025-10-01
			\|accessdate=2025-10-14
			}}
	{{ABBR}}		{{ABBR}}
	{{REF}}		{{REF}}

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2025-09-04T13:16:50Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:16, 4 September 2025
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	\|url=		\|url=
	\|accessdate=2019-10-16		\|accessdate=2019-10-16
	}}</ref> Smegma is not "filth". It is natural, normal, benign, painless, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal		}}</ref> Smegma is not dirt or "filth". It is natural, normal, benign, painless, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal
	\|last=Van Howe		\|last=Van Howe
	\|init=RS		\|init=RS
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	\|DOI=10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x		\|DOI=10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x
	\|accessdate=2019-10-16		\|accessdate=2019-10-16
	}}</ref> Smegma is not an irritant and does not cause itching.		}}</ref> Smegma is not an irritant and does not cause itching. It may remain in the [[preputial sac]] for extended periods without doing harm. Its presence is not considered esthetic, so it is customary to wash it away prior to a sexual encounter.

	[[Intact]] adult males who wash their [[penis]] and [[glans]] periodically with clean water usually do not have smegma between the inner foreskin and glans. In infants and boys whose [[foreskin]] cannot yet be pulled back (natural [[phimosis]]), smegma doesn't matter, while the [[foreskin]] protects the glans. The illustration "Smegma on a human penis" is therefore not typical for [[intact]] men who wash their genitals regularly. Hardened smegma accumulations may be softened by soaking with vegetable oil.		[[Intact]] adult males who wash their [[penis]] and [[glans]] periodically with clean water usually do not have smegma between the inner foreskin and glans. In infants and boys whose [[foreskin]] cannot yet be pulled back (natural [[phimosis]]), smegma doesn't matter, while the [[foreskin]] protects the glans. The illustration "Smegma on a human penis" is therefore not typical for [[intact]] men who wash their genitals regularly. Hardened smegma accumulations may be softened by soaking with vegetable oil.
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	==Beneficial aspects of smegma==		==Beneficial aspects of smegma==

	Smegma contains natural [[skin]] oils that are beneficial to the health of the [[mucosa]] that covers the [[glans penis]] and ~~the inside of~~ the [[~~foreskin~~]]. The oil also has lubricating advantages.<ref>{{REFjournal		Smegma contains natural [[skin]] oils that are beneficial to the health of the [[mucosa]] that covers the [[glans penis]] and the [[preputial sac]]. The oil also has lubricating advantages.<ref>{{REFjournal
	\|last=Wright		\|last=Wright
	\|first=Joyce		\|first=Joyce
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	[[Robert S. Van Howe\|Van Howe]] & Hodges (2006) concluded: "The purpose of the scientific method is to distinguish between wishful thinking, strongly held opinion, and provable fact. The smegma theory of disease, which began as wishful thinking on the part of circumcision zealots such as [[Abraham L. Wolbarst\|Abraham Wolbarst]] and [[Abraham Ravich]], has evolved into irrefutable dogma, but as modern physicians, we need to recognize that, until proved otherwise, smegma is harmless."<ref name="vanhowe2006" />		[[Robert S. Van Howe\|Van Howe]] & Hodges (2006) concluded: "The purpose of the scientific method is to distinguish between wishful thinking, strongly held opinion, and provable fact. The smegma theory of disease, which began as wishful thinking on the part of circumcision zealots such as [[Abraham L. Wolbarst\|Abraham Wolbarst]] and [[Abraham Ravich]], has evolved into irrefutable dogma, but as modern physicians, we need to recognize that, until proved otherwise, smegma is harmless."<ref name="vanhowe2006" />
	== Control of smegma ==		== Control of smegma ==
	Boys are born with a non-retractable [[foreskin]]. The foreskin of a boy should not be retracted until it spontaneously becomes retractable with increasing maturity and the boy retracts it for himself. There is likely to be a collection of smegma in the [[preputial sac]] that has been accumulating harmlessly since birth. The smegma may then be washed away. Some boys will have hardened smegma that is difficult to remove. Soaking the hardened smegma with olive oil is said to be effective in softening it and facilitating its removal.		Boys are born with a non-retractable [[foreskin]]. The foreskin of a boy should not be retracted until it spontaneously becomes retractable with increasing maturity and the boy retracts it for himself.<ref name="wright1994">{{REFjournal
			\|last=Wright
			\|init=JE
			\|title=Further to the "Further Fate of the Foreskin"
			\|journal=Med J Aust
			\|volume=160
			\|issue=
			\|pages=134-135
			\|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright2/
			\|quote=
			\|pubmedID=8295581
			\|pubmedCID=
			\|DOI=
			\|date=1994-02-07
			\|accessdate=2025-09-04
			}}</ref> There is likely to be a collection of smegma in the [[preputial sac]] that has been accumulating harmlessly since birth. The smegma may then be washed away. Some boys will have hardened smegma that is difficult to remove. Soaking the hardened smegma with olive oil is said to be effective in softening it and facilitating its removal.

	Parkash (1972) reported that the flow of urine in the [[preputial sac]] can keep it free of smegma.<ref>{{REFjournal		Parkash (1972) reported that the flow of urine in the [[preputial sac]] can keep it free of smegma.<ref>{{REFjournal

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← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 30 August 2025
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	\|DOI=10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x		\|DOI=10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x
	\|accessdate=2019-10-16		\|accessdate=2019-10-16
	}}</ref>		}}</ref> Smegma is not an irritant and does not cause itching.

	[[Intact]] adult males who wash their [[penis]] and [[glans]] periodically with clean water usually do not have smegma between the inner foreskin and glans. In infants and boys whose [[foreskin]] cannot yet be pulled back (natural [[phimosis]]), smegma doesn't matter, while the [[foreskin]] protects the glans. The illustration "Smegma on a human penis" is therefore not typical for [[intact]] men who wash their genitals regularly. Hardened smegma accumulations may be softened by soaking with vegetable oil.		[[Intact]] adult males who wash their [[penis]] and [[glans]] periodically with clean water usually do not have smegma between the inner foreskin and glans. In infants and boys whose [[foreskin]] cannot yet be pulled back (natural [[phimosis]]), smegma doesn't matter, while the [[foreskin]] protects the glans. The illustration "Smegma on a human penis" is therefore not typical for [[intact]] men who wash their genitals regularly. Hardened smegma accumulations may be softened by soaking with vegetable oil.

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Control of smegma: Add text and citation.

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 Boys are born with a non-retractable [[foreskin]]. The foreskin of a boy should not be retracted until it spontaneously becomes retractable with increasing maturity and the boy retracts it for himself. There is likely to be a collection of smegma in the [[preputial sac]] that has been accumulating harmlessly since birth. The smegma may then be washed away. Some boys will have hardened smegma that is difficult to remove. Soaking the hardened smegma with olive oil is said to be effective in softening it and facilitating its removal.
-Thereafter the smegma may be washed away using warm water when necessary. Soap, body wash, and shampoo remove the natural oil so they should not be used in the [[preputial sac]].<ref name="birley1933" />
+Parkash (1972) reported that the flow of urine in the [[preputial sac]] can keep it free of smegma.<ref>{{REFjournal
 ==Video==

WikiModEn2: /* Foreskin: Why Pull Back? */

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Foreskin: Why Pull Back?

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	<br>		<br>
	===Foreskin: Why Pull Back?===		===Foreskin: Why Pull Back?===
	[[Dr Bret Palmer]] explains why the foreskin should be retracted.		[[Dr Bret Palmer]] explains why the foreskin should be retracted. This is for adult males and NOT applicable to boys.
	* <youtube>v=PcxwW4KH3Wg</youtube>		* <youtube>v=PcxwW4KH3Wg</youtube>

	===How to get rid of a build up of hard smegma, the easy way===		===How to get rid of a build up of hard smegma, the easy way===
	[[Dr Bret Palmer]] gives tips on getting rid of hardened smegma.		[[Dr Bret Palmer]] gives tips on getting rid of hardened smegma.

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	\|url=		\|url=
	\|accessdate=2019-10-16		\|accessdate=2019-10-16
	}}</ref> Smegma is not "filth". It is natural, normal, benign, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal		}}</ref> Smegma is not "filth". It is natural, normal, benign, painless, harmless, and beneficial.<ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal
	\|last=Van Howe		\|last=Van Howe
	\|init=RS		\|init=RS