Smegma
170734
226154659
2008-07-17T01:52:13Z
R. Baley
2403679
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/72.2.229.226|72.2.229.226]] ([[User talk:72.2.229.226|talk]]) to last version by Jéské Couriano
:''This article is about smegma, a secretion of mammalian genitals. See [[Vernix caseosa]] for the substance that covers the skin of a baby at birth. See [[Smegma (band)]] for the experimental noise band.''
'''Smegma''', a [[transliteration]] of the [[Greek language|Greek]] word σμήγμα for ''[[sebum]]'', is a combination of [[Exfoliation (cosmetology)|exfoliated]] (shed) [[Epithelium|epithelial cells]], [[transudate]]d skin oils, and moisture, and can accumulate under the [[foreskin]] of males and within the [[vulva]] of females. It has a characteristic strong [[odor]]. Smegma is common to all [[mammal]]s, male and female. ''[[Mycobacterium smegmatis]]'' is the characteristic bacterium involved in smegma production, and is generally thought to form smegma from epidermal secretions.
In healthy animals, smegma helps clean and lubricate the genitals. In veterinary medicine, analysis of this smegma is sometimes used for detection of urinary infections, such as [[trichomoniasis]]. Some have recommended periodic cleaning of male genitals to improve the health of the animal.<ref>[http://www.horsecity.com/stories/090101/hea_beans_ML.shtml http://www.horsecity.com/stories/090101/hea_beans_ML.shtml]</ref>
==Human smegma==
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[[Image:Smegma Penis Cropped.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Smegma allowed to accumulate long enough to become visible]]
Both males and females produce smegma. In males smegma is produced and accumulates under the [[foreskin]] of [[circumcision|uncircumcised]] individuals; in females it collects around the [[clitoris]] and in the folds of the [[labia minora]].
Smegma is noticeable as a smooth or moist texture until it is allowed to accumulate, when it takes on its characteristic texture and appearance described in many texts as "cheesy". Because smegma tends to accumulate under the foreskin in males, its presence is less common and less noticeable in circumcised males.<ref>[http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1538.html Ask Alice: Scent of an uncircumcised penis]</ref>
The subpreputial moisture keeps the glans moist and may lubricate the movement of the foreskin. However, if allowed to accumulate and decay in the foreskin cavity it can provide an ideal medium for potentially pathogenic bacteria to colonize;<ref>[http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright1/ http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright1/]</ref> current medical opinion is that allowing smegma to accumulate freely is unhealthy. Accumulation of smegma can cause or aggravate a variety of irritations known as [[balanitis]]. <ref name=riskfactors>[http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_penile_cancer_35.asp Risk Factors for Penile Cancer]</ref> Per the SEER database, the incidence of developing a primary penile cancer is less than 1 per 100,000 in the general population, but for uncircumcised males the rate is estimated to be as high as 1 per 600.<ref> [http://seer.cancer.gov/ SEER Data]</ref> Circumcision at a young age appears to be more protective against cancer of the penis than at the time of puberty or later.<!-- wheres the reference? --> Early medical studies such as those by Plaut (1947) and Heins et al (1958)<ref>[http://www.circs.org/library/heins/ http://www.circs.org/library/heins/]</ref> claimed that smegma accumulation led to the development of [[Carcinoma of the penis|penile cancer]], but the [[American Cancer Society]] states that more recent studies have failed to support this.<ref name=riskfactors /> Penile cancer is extremely uncommon in Jewish and Muslim populations that practice circumcision at infancy and between the ages of 3-13, respectively. <ref>Krieg R, Hoffman R. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15825185?ordinalpos=7&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Current management of unusual genitourinary cancers. Part 1: Penile cancer.] ''Oncology'' (Williston Park). 1999 Oct;13(10):1347-52.</ref> <ref>Daling JR, Madeleine MM, Johnson LG, Schwartz SM, Shera KA, Wurscher MA, Carter JJ, Porter PL, Galloway DA, McDougall JK, Krieger JN. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10549563?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Penile cancer: importance of circumcision, human papillomavirus and smoking in in situ and invasive disease.] ''Int J Cancer''. 2005 Sep 10;116(4):606-16.</ref>
Preventing accumulation is best done by rinsing the area with warm water. In females, the hood of the [[clitoris]] can be gently pulled back to wash away accumulated smegma. Some argue that soap is best avoided because it depletes natural skin oils and may cause non-specific [[dermatitis]].<ref>http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/balanitis/birley/</ref> Noticeably unpleasant cheese-like odors can be an indicator of a potentially serious medical problem, or a need to gently wash away excess with water. Deodorant sprays or washes may cause [[Candidiasis|thrush]] or thrush-like conditions — washing using warm water only is recommended by health professionals for individuals with sensitive skin, or who suffer from dermatitis reactions to using soap-like products.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
*O'Neill HJ, Gershbein LL. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1018879 Lipids of human and equine smegma]. ''Oncology'' 1976;33(4):161-6.
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=3958682 Effects of hygiene among the uncircumcised] Krueger H, Osborn L. ''J Fam Pract''. 1986 Apr;22(4):353-5.
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=35486 The bacterial flora of preputial space] Neubert U, Lentze I. ''Hautarzt''. 1979 Mar;30(3):149-53.
==External links==
{{commonscat|Smegma}}
* Wright J. [http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright1/ How smegma serves the penis: Nature's assurance that the uncircumcised glans penis will function smoothly is provided by smegma.] ''Sexology'' (New York) 1970;37(2):50-53.
* Parkash S, Jeyakumar K, Subramanya K, et al. [http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/parkash/ Human subpreputial collection: its nature and formation.] ''J Urol'' 1973;110(2):211-12.
* Van Howe RS, Hodges FM. [http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/cancer/vanhowe2006/ The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth.] ''J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol'' 2006;20(9):1046.
===Images of smegma===
*Images of smegma on male genitals: [http://www.circlist.com/anatterms/anatimages/smegma.gif][http://www.foreskin.org/smegma3.jpg][http://www.foreskin.org/smegma2.jpg][http://www.foreskin.org/smegma1.jpg]
*Images of smegma on female genitals: [http://www.the-clitoris.com/x/health/sebum2.jpg][http://www.the-clitoris.com/x/health/sebum3.jpg][http://www.the-clitoris.com/x/health/smegma.jpg]
[[Category:Exocrine system]]
[[Category:Circumcision debate]]
[[Category:Female reproductive system]]
[[Category:Male reproductive system]]
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