IntactiWiki

Smegma: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
WikiModEn2 (talk | contribs)
Bureaucrats
21,617 edits
Add external link.
Add text.
 
(18 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
[[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
Line 28: Line 28:
  |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'' 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
Line 44: Line 44:
  |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. 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
Line 82: Line 82:
==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
Line 99: Line 99:
Smegma is usually washed away for cosmetic reasons. Excessive washing and use of soap inside the [[foreskin]] should be avoided.<ref name="birley1933" />
Smegma is usually washed away for cosmetic reasons. Excessive washing and use of soap inside the [[foreskin]] should be avoided.<ref name="birley1933" />


== Smegma was falsely believed to be carcinogenic ==
== Smegma was falsely claimed to be carcinogenic ==


Circumcision advocates of the past who alleged a relationship between "lack of circumcision" and genital cancers formerly implicated smegma or smegma-borne pathogens as the causative agent. Only two histologic studies of human smegma have ever been conducted, both of which found it to be perfectly harmless.  
Circumcision promoters of the past who alleged a relationship between "lack of circumcision" and genital cancers formerly implicated smegma or smegma-borne pathogens as the causative agent. Only two histologic studies of human smegma have ever been conducted, both of which found it to be perfectly harmless.  


The hypothesis that human male smegma is carcinogenic was first formulated in 1932 by circumcision promoter [[Abraham L. Wolbarst]], {{MD}}<ref>{{Wolbarst1932}}</ref> Wolbarst also believed that circumcision prevented epilepsy. (In the early part of the 20th Century, the paroxysm of [[masturbation]] in children was often misidentified as an epileptic seizure.) He wrote: "[Circumcision] diminishes the tendency to [[masturbation]], convulsions and other reflex phenomena of local irritation."
The hypothesis that human male smegma is carcinogenic was first formulated in 1932 by circumcision promoter [[Abraham L. Wolbarst]], {{MD}}<ref>{{Wolbarst1932}}</ref> Wolbarst also believed that circumcision prevented epilepsy. (In the early part of the 20th Century, the paroxysm of [[masturbation]] in children was often misidentified as an epileptic seizure.) He wrote: "[Circumcision] diminishes the tendency to [[masturbation]], convulsions and other reflex phenomena of local irritation."
Line 123: Line 123:


[[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 ==
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
|last=Parkash
|first=
|init=S
|author-link=
|etal=no
|title=Phimosis and Its Plastic Correction
|trans-title=
|language=
|journal=J Indian Med Assoc
|date=1972-05-16
|volume=58
|issue=10
|pages=389-90
|url=https://www.cirp.org/library/treatment/phimosis/parkash3/
|archived=
|quote=
|pubmedID=4644911
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=
|doi=
|accessdate=2025-07-24
}}</ref>
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==
===Smegma, what is it and how to deal with it===
[[Dr Bret Palmer]] describes the formation of smegma.
* <youtube>v=ihCn2k2XU_M</youtube>
<br>
===Dr O'Donovan explains the nature of smegma===
* <youtube>v=Do_inwgYR6E</youtube>
<br>
===Foreskin: Why Pull Back?===
[[Dr Bret Palmer]] explains why the foreskin should be retracted. This is for adult males and NOT applicable to boys.
* <youtube>v=PcxwW4KH3Wg</youtube>
===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.
* <youtube>v=WkXGtsNDDBo&t=134s</youtube>
{{SEEALSO}}
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[Cervical cancer]]
* [[Cervical cancer]]
* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]
* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]
* [[Penile cancer]]  
* [[Penile cancer]]  
* [[Penis]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
{{LINKS}}
{{LINKS}}
Line 144: Line 204:
  |last=
  |last=
  |first=
  |first=
|publisher=Your Whole Body
  |accessdate=2020-06-20
  |accessdate=2020-06-20
}}
}}
Line 160: Line 221:
  |accessdate=2020-12-06
  |accessdate=2020-12-06
  |format=
  |format=
  |quote=Circumcision alters human behavior.  Many males who originate in circumcising cultures, and who are likely to be circumcised, have special emotional issues. Circumcised doctors, therefore, tend to behave differently from normal doctors. Those who become doctors may use junk science to promote male circumcision. The myth of cancer protection by circumcision continues to be a favourite claim of such doctors.
  |quote=Circumcision alters human behavior.  Many males who originate in circumcising cultures, and who are likely to be circumcised, have special emotional issues. [[Circumcised doctors]], therefore, tend to behave differently from normal doctors. Those who become doctors may use junk science to promote male circumcision. The myth of cancer protection by circumcision continues to be a favourite claim of such doctors.
}}
}}
* {{REFweb
* {{REFweb
Line 170: Line 231:
  |date=2018-01-06
  |date=2018-01-06
  |accessdate=2021-01-19
  |accessdate=2021-01-19
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.foreskin.org/what-is-smegma/
|title=Smegma: What Is It and How to Get Rid of It
|last=Rangel
|first=Frank
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=Foreskin
|date=2023-07-17
|accessdate=2024-12-11
}}
}}
NSFW
NSFW
Line 188: Line 260:
  |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}}


[[Category:Education]]
[[Category:Physiology]]


[[Category:Physiology]]
[[Category:From Intactipedia]]
[[Category:From Intactipedia]]
[[Category:From IntactWiki]]
[[Category:From IntactWiki]]


[[de:Smegma]]
[[de:Smegma]]
Retrieved from "https://en.intactiwiki.org/wiki/Smegma"