Because the penis is so far away from a guy’s nose, he’s unlikely to be aware that he may have a penis odor issue until it is in an advanced state. After all, by the time it’s strong enough to reach all the way from the crotch to the nose, it’s likely to have been building up for a while. And though penis odor can in some instances signal a penis health issue, most of the time penis odor is more of an embarrassment that a guy simply wants to avoid. Fortunately, there are some pretty basic common sense steps guys can take that are good at eliminating or reducing most common penis odor issues.

It’s understandable

First, it’s important to understand that penis odor is understandable to some degree. After all, unless a guy manscapes, the penis is going to be surrounded by the insulation of all that pubic hair. It’s also nestled between the thighs, and skin-on-skin contact creates a degree of heat as well. And then when it’s kept underneath (typically) two layers of clothing, it’s no wonder that the crotch becomes a heat factory, with the resultant bacterial sweat and odor that goes along with heat.

It’s also important to realize that some scent in the penile area is not a bad thing. Pheromones create an aroma potential partners pick up on and which they can find stimulating and desirable. But often that positive scent is drowned out by unwanted penis odor of the unpleasant sort.

Common sense strategies

And so a man must make sure he is following common sense strategies to keep penis odor at bay. These steps include:

1. Wash. The number one step is to regularly wash the penis and the surrounding areas. How often to wash depends on the individual (and on the season). Most men find that daily washing of their penis - even if they don’t go in for a full shower every day - is best. Some men may need to wash more than once a day, especially if they engage in sports, go to the gym, have sex, or if the weather is especially hot. But be sure to wash with a gentle cleanser and not one with added chemicals and fragrances. Frequent washing can deplete the penis skin of the oils it needs to stay moisturized, and chemicals and fragrances can bring about rashes or other skin issues.

2. Change clothes. Wearing the same clothes all day and all night may increase penis odor. It’s advisable to at least change underwear, especially on a hot day.

3. Air it out. Ideally, a man should let his penis air out for at least a couple of hours every day. Many guys find it easiest to do this simply by sleeping in the buff. But as long as the penis has some "unclad" time, it will help to let unwanted odors disperse.

4. Manscape. Some degree of manscaping can help keep the penis a little cooler. A full trim of the area is best for this, but even just keeping the pubic thatch trimmed down a bit can make a difference.

5. Use a crème. Another common sense approach to reducing penis odor is to apply a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . The key is to make sure that whatever crème is chosen includes vitamin A among its ingredients. Also known as retinol, vitamin A is blessed with antibacterial properties that can fight the root cause of persistent penis odor. Keeping penis tissue healthy also decreases odor issues, so be sure the crème contains vitamin B5. This vitamin is required for healthy cell metabolism and the maintenance of healthy penile tissue.