That includes sulfonamide antibiotics. Some STIs can lead to a smelly discharge in males and females. Go see your doctor right away. These compounds are passed into the urine, giving it a peculiar smell. While its unlikely that a keto diet can maximize performance for elite athletes, once you become fat-adapted, it should be sufficient for general exercise and recreational sports (24). People born with this condition cant break down certain amino acids. Some people avoid eating cilantro because they claim it has a soapy aftertaste. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. Most everyone knows about asparagus pee, but there are some other foods and medications that can also change the odor of the urine. Find out the diseases you can prevent just by washing your hands. If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. Chief among these molecules is methanethiolone of the six to eight sulfur molecules researchers have identified as likely culprits of smelly asparagus pee. And remember to be gentle when washing this sensitive area. Check the nutrition label for carbs if youre using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks. Here are the biggest culprits of why you're stinking up the toilet bowl. Dr. Comiter refers to this condition as teachers bladder or truckers bladder because those are the people who tend to hold it in a lot since they dont have as much time in the day to go to the bathroom due to their hectic schedules. 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. If your urine smells like metal, you might have a pseudomonas infection. If you're on the keto diet and develop a rash, dont just blame it on the diet, she says. If you notice a new or strange scent, talk to your doctor. When you start a low carb diet, your body must adapt to burning more fat for fuel instead of carbs. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Sometimes, unusual urine To make one thing super-clear first, there's no research confirming that keto crotch is, in fact, a legit side effect of the keto diet. Im sorry they handled this so poorly, truly. As excess sugar spills into your urine, it creates a sweet, sugary smell (and taste), explains Stephanie J. Kielb, MD, an associate Professor of Urology, Medical Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. It's pretty rare, and since it's genetic you'll see it in infants and other young kids. These are chemicals that are naturally produced by your body. Asparagus is notorious for making urine smelly. Theyre responsible for most of the unique health benefits of the keto diet. Some babies are born with a condition called tyrosinemia type 1. They may give you antibiotics, special soap, or suggest eating certain foods. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. I'm not drinking as much water because having to run home every time is a huge inconvenience as well as a huge embarrassing reminder. Byproducts build up and cause breath, sweat, and urine to smell like boiled cabbage. The enzymatic process breaks down distinct chemicals as your body digests meals. It affects babies and children. Urine is mostly waste products and water and normally has a mild smell and a light yellow color. That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Whats more, there are further benefits primarily an increased ability to burn more fat during exercise. Hepatic steatosis (aka fatty liver, which is a buildup of fat in the liver), Hypoproteinemia (deficient levels of protein in the blood). Scientists believe the odor in question is due to two chemicals: methanethiol and S-methyl thioester. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. "Breaking the seal" isn't a thing, but drinking alcohol definitely makes you have to pee more. Vanillin, the primary chemical present in vanilla, is difficult to identify in two or three people out of a hundred. Some people have a mutation in one of these genes, which alters the receptor's capacity to respond to the chemical that causes pee to smell funny. Many long-term keto dieters claim that they sleep better than before after adapting to the diet (25). If you're a parent and your kid's pee starts smelling extra syrupy, get it checked out, because untreated, it could lead to seizures, coma, and death. These include: Vitamins. 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, Photo: Dutourdumonde Photography/Shutterstock, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Affected by Urinary Infection. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. Thats called hyperosmia. Hundreds of variants in the DNA sequence across multiple genes involved in sense of smell are strongly associated with the ability to detect asparagus metabolites in urine. Webketo crotch and the office. And if you're noticing you have to pee much more frequently, that could be another sign of diabetes. The Ketogenic Diet is a low carbohydrate method of eating. Those are chemicals your body makes when you burn fat, instead of glucose, for energy. The study looked at nearly 7,000 European American participants and found that about 62% of women and 58% of men had asparagus anosmia, a genetic modification that means they could not perceive or smell the noxious urine, notes Smith. Why Do I Feel So Crappy On The Keto Diet? It's a metabolic disorder in which your body can't break down trimethylamine, a compound that gets synthesized by bacteria in your gut when you eat foods high in choline and carnitine, like eggs and red meat. Many creatures rely on their sense of smell to survive. This includes an initial decrease in exercise performance. Ketones are chemical byproducts that provide a new fuel source for your cells. Its primarily caused by the reduction in your muscles glycogen stores. It doesnt mean youre unhealthy. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. But tbh, that's probably not what's going on here, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, a minimally invasive gynecologist in Dallas and founder of Her Viewpoint. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Many people on keto and similar diets, like the Atkins diet, report that their breath takes on an unusual, fruity smell. A lower proportion of women were able to detect the odor, compared to men, despite women being thought to have a more keen sense of smell. These products may raise your blood sugar levels and reduce your ketone levels. This chemical on its own smells like rotten eggs, rotting fish, or garbage. If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. ", On a separate thread, another user slash keto dieter wondered: "Does anyone else's lady bits smell different too? Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether youre in ketosis. You could have a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. It causes strong or sweet urine. Once it gets there, it stays there. The odor is caused by the buildup and release of toxins in your urine. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. All rights reserved. Here are the 6 best sweeteners for a keto diet. These foods also produce methyl mercaptan, a gas that has a rotten cabbage odor and is released when peeing and breathing. It may smell like cabbage. If your baby has the disease, you may notice this syrupy odor a day or two after theyre born. However, send an email with your understanding of the situation. Drinking more water can often help. Other foods, including Brussels sprouts, onions, cabbage, and turnips can also make your pee smell funky because of a metabolic byproduct called methyl mercaptan, a gas with a putrid, sulfurous smell that emerges when your body breaks down these vegetables. Amy Krambeck, MD, Michael O. Koch professor of urology, Indiana University School of Medicine. Why Does My Urine Smell Strong Like Ammonia. Despite its unfavorable odor after you eat it, its still recommended to keep enjoying asparagus so you can reap all of its health benefits. In this condition, your body cant break down acompound called trimethylamine. I'm diabetic and thinking about starting keto again but I smelled sooooo bad. Keto vs. Mediterranean: Which Diet Is Really Better for You? Urine normally has a slight smell, but some unusual and strong smells may also be noticed. In addition to having an unfamiliar smell down there, some women are also reporting that theyve noticed a rash in their crotch area on the keto diet (fun!). The ketone acetone is partly expelled via your breath. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks. A healthy vaginal pH is acidicbetween 3.8 and 4.5and foods like onions, garlic, red meat, dairy, asparagus, broccoli, alcohol, and fruit can all affect the natural balance youve got going on, Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, ob-gyn at Montefiore Medical Center in New York previously told Women's Health. With Walk At Home And MIRROR', This Mom Lost 95 Lbs. If you notice it's a common occurrence, definitely see your doctor. The deficiency appears to be random, and up to 50 percent of people can sense the smell. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. The meter measures your ketone levels by calculating the amount of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in your blood. Digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea are common side effects in the beginning (14). They can also make infections more likely. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Though most everyone probably produces the scent to some degree, it seems not everyones noses pick up on it. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Related to Incontinence & Overactive Bladder.