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health advisory Hospital Mens Health 2007-11-15 5:37:56

I have heard the term, but have no idea what it is.

Answer:

It's actually a oily or waxy buildup under the skin folds of both male and female genitals. If it's cheesy, you have a yeast infection and need to see a doctor. Cheesy is definitely not normal. Normal smegma may have a slight odor, but a foul, really rank, odor probably means the body is fighting infection. Again, not normal, and most people never experience any of these disease processes that uninformed people confuse with the beneficial normal smegma, which is harmless.

Smegma actually forms a protective coating over sensitive parts and fights bacteria. It should be washed away, along with the bacteria it has trapped, with every shower. Unless it is allowed to build up, there is no odor, bad taste, or other indication of the presence of this beneficial substance. But if you don't wash, the trapped bacteria can make the accumulation very unpleasant to look at, smell, or taste.

Smegma is used as an excuse by ignorant people to amputate the foreskins of baby boys. Circumcised males are less likely to notice smegma, as it rubs off on their clothing, but they still have it, and basic hygiene is all that is needed to keep intact penises free of smegma buildup as well.

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Ewww...it's white gooey stuff that collects under a guy's foreskin.

(made mostly out of dead skin cells..)

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That foul smelling, cottage cheese looking stuff that accumulates in the folds and crevices of vaginas of girls that aren't very hygienic.