What is smegma?
Smegma is a sebaceous, yellowish-white mass between the glans penis and the foreskin. It is also called foreskin sebum and consists of secretion from the sebaceous glands located in the skin of the glans and exfoliated epithelial cells from the inside of the foreskin (prepuce).
In women, smegma also forms – it settles between the labia minora and labia majora.
The cheese-like mass should be removed regularly because germs can multiply very easily in it. The typical type of bacteria found there is Mycobacterium smegmatis.
What is the function of the smegma?
The smegma – the word is derived from the Greek word for soap – forms a protective film for the glans. However, this film must be removed with daily cleaning in order to prevent bacterial growth.
Where is the smegma located?
Smegma forms in boys and men under the foreskin, where it settles in the fold of skin. In girls and women, it can accumulate between the labia.
What problems can smegma cause?
If the cheese-like mass is not removed for a longer period of time, incrustations also occur, which form stones (smegmolites) with urine salts.
Smegma is said to promote the formation of tumors on the penis (such as penile cancer).
Circumcision can prevent the shedding of smegma in men. This involves partial or complete removal of the foreskin.
