But, it's important not to overdo it by washing excessively or using scented products like perfumes, powders, and deodorant sprays. I'm diabetic and thinking about starting keto again but I smelled sooooo bad. That's also why your pee becomes dark and bad-smelling, she adds, because as your body gets dehydrated from drinking too much coffee, the bacteria become more concentrated in your waste. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. People should strive to have urine thats a light yellow colour, says William Brant, MD, a urologist at the University of Utah Health Care in Salt Lake City, UT. Surgery can fix fistulas. It means they dont have the right enzyme to break down the amino acid tyrosine. Asparagus contains sulfur-like compounds. They have even been tested in a medical setting to treat brain diseases and conditions such as concussion and memory loss (16, 17, 18, 19). Drinkinglots of water throughout the day can help with these smells and keep your urine clear. B vitamins are water soluble, which means your body doesnt store them, and whatever you dont need is removed in your urine. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. He says that one cannot prevent the breakdown of asparagusic acid if they have the enzymes present in their body.. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. But a lack of fluids does raise your chances of getting kidney stones and urinary tract infections. This is a detailed beginner's guide to the paleo diet. Ketones can give your urine a sulfur smell.. Talk to your doctor if it hurts to pee and you have a fever. 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. 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. According to one study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism in November 2016, these urine markers are highest in the morning and after dinner. Denying bathroom use is a violation of basic workplace rights. Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. The ketones themselves may also affect your brain, helping to reduce appetite (12) (13). And prenatal vitamins might change the way your pee smells. If you've been working out or sweating, change out of wet or damp clothing as soon as possible. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. You may need to take antibiotics to get better. If you notice it's a common occurrence, definitely see your doctor. There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. But theres no particular reason the keto diet would cause you to break out only around your crotchat least, none that the scientific community has found a direct link to, says Christine Greves, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. Discover signs and symptoms of ketosis, like changes to your breath, appetite, or energy levels. The study But that doesn't mean people aren't still experiencing some less-than-pleasant odors down there on the keto diet. And remember to be gentle when washing this sensitive area. If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. You may start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. Medicines for diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also can affect the way your pee smells. If you swear that you've never smelled what's colloquially known as asparagus pee, it is because you lack the ability to recognize the stench. Your pee may also have a strong smell after you drink coffee, or eat fish, onions, or garlic. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A study using data from almost 30,000 users of 23andMe found genetic variants in olfactory receptors linked to peoples perception of this adverse taste. Next, discover the bathroom mistakes you never knew you made. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. Yep, some people online (shout-out to the Reddit page .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}r/xxketo!) Ever settle into the restroom to do your business and, amid the calming sound of your yellow stream, notice an awful smell? This process, the goal of a keto diet, is called ketosis. Mayo Clinic: Hyperglycemia in diabetes, Strong-smelling Urine Not Necessarily Cause for Concern., American Family Physician: Urinalysis: A Comprehensive Review., American Diabetes Association: DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones., Nutrition & Metabolism: Branched-chain amino acids in health and disease: metabolism, alterations in blood plasma, and as supplements., National Organization for Rare Disorders: Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Tyrosinemia Type 1, Trimethylaminuria., MIT Medical: Ask Lucy: Could it B-vitamins?, Harvard Health Publishing: Urine color and odor changes., Frontiers in Psychology: Pregnancy and olfaction: a review., British Journal of General Practice: A nose for trouble., Urology Care Foundation: What is a Bladder Fistula?. Terms of Use. Health issues linked to douching include yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Too much vitamin B1 (thiamine) can make your pee smell like fish. When these amino acids build up, their pee or earwax starts to smell sweet. Health posed that question to an OB-GYN, who said keto crotch has never been scientifically investigated. Sulfa is found in some diabetes medication, antibiotics, migraine medicine, anti-inflammatories, and (quite fittingly) diuretics. These are chemicals that are naturally produced by your body. As you might expect, this switch doesnt happen overnight. When asparagus is digested, asparagusic acid gets broken down into sulfur containing byproducts. This is dangerous and can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, the American Diabetes Association warns. Like not a nasty infectious smell, just like a stronger natural smell? Okay, so people are definitely experiencing something funky going on with their vaginal scents. Either way, you need to get it looked at. She was previously an assistant editor at Health before moving over to Travel + Leisure as a social media editor. That can lead to infections and discharge, which can smell bad when you pee. About one-third of women over the age of 65 can have bacteria in the urine on and off, says Dr. Comiter. Its crunchy yet tender and can be used in everything from salads and soups to pasta dishes. Everyone has their own individual scent sense of the environment. Your food, vitamins, and medications are the most common cause of a badurine smell. A 2016 study found that whether or not someone could smell asparagus pee is associated with a genetic variation near multiple olfactory receptor genes. These infections are commonly found in hospital or nursing home patients because the bacteria that causes it (and also gives your pee a metallic scent) thrives in those environments. UPDATE: For everyone saying asparagus, I just checked my food diary and I last ate asparagus on October 13th. health & living health center/do all people's pee smell after eating asparagus article. Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine. Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. B vitamins can also make your pee look a bright greenish-yellow. This chemical on its own smells like rotten eggs, rotting fish, or garbage. As discussed above, removing carbs can lead to general tiredness at first. Last medically reviewed on October 30, 2022. These make your pee smell for a few reasons. But, because your body produces more of them on the keto diet, the excess can make your poop, pee, and breath a little more smelly (again, like nail polish remover). If cystine is in your urine, it may smell like rotten eggs. What supplements should we really be taking? But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. Its also packed with nutrients, including folic acid, calcium and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E. The only downside: Asparagus seems to cause an unpleasant smell in our urine. It's also a genetic thing -- not everyone who eats asparagus pees out that funky stench, and not everyone can smell it, although it's more common than not. 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. 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. If you feel full and dont need to eat as often as before, then you may be in ketosis. Maple syrup urine disease. Also called a UTI, such an infection happens when you have bacteria in any part of your urinary system. Asparagus anosmia specifically is caused by a genetic variation that alters olfactory (re: smell) receptors so you're unable to perceive the sulfuric odor, explains Ehsani. Some of these issues should subside after the transition period, but it may be important to be mindful of different foods that may be causing digestive issues. Fruits and vegetables can help hydrate you, too. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. So keto rash is a real thing. What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The use of acetone breath analyzers has been shown to be fairly accurate, though less accurate than the blood monitor method (10). This may further increase focus and improve brain function (20, 21). The Keto Diet: What's The Difference? Foods that convert tosulfur compounds in your body can make your urine smell rotten. Make sure you get some assistance.. However, theyre not considered very reliable. A 2016 study found that whether or not someone could smell asparagus pee is associated with a genetic variation near multiple olfactory receptor genes. There are many fast food options available that are low in carbs. Coffee is also a diuretic, which doesn't help things. And that means that even if your pee is the same, it may seem like the odor is weird or more intense. Garlic, onions and brussels sprouts, for example, all break down into sulfur compounds when digested. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for Cleveland Clinic: Urine Smell: What Does It Mean?, Colorado State University: Water-Soluble Vitamins: B-Complex and Vitamin C 9.312., Journal of the American Medical Directors Association: Cloudy, Foul Smelling Urine Not a Criteria for Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection in Older Adults., Mayo Clinic: Diabetic ketoacidosis. Urinary tract infection (UTI), Urine odor., Merck Manual Consumer Version: Tyrosinemia., Metabolites: Quantitative Determination of Common Urinary Odorants and Their Glucuronide Conjugates in Human Urine., National Health Service: Kidney stones, Smelly urine., National Organization for Rare Disorders: Maple Syrup Urine Disease., Pacific Mens Health: Men's Health 6 Reasons Your Pee Stinks., U.S National Library of Medicine: Trimethylaminuria.. However, its been suggested that this hunger reduction may be due to alterations to your bodys hunger hormones, along with an increased intake of proteins (11, 12). More research still needs to be done on metabolism and genetics to determine exact causes of these differences. Its usually from your diet and medications, or it means you need to drink more water. The disease can cause other serious symptoms like seizures, sleepiness, irritability, and poor feeding. .css-26w0xw{display:block;font-family:NationalBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-26w0xw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-26w0xw{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.575rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}What To Know About Pilates And Weight Loss, 29 Vegetarian Keto Recipes That Are *So* Delish, 18 Keto Smoothies That Legit Taste Like Milkshakes, Easy Keto Side Dishes For Every Taste Bud. If you really cant take the smell, then Smith recommends either eating less asparagus or drinking plenty of water to try to dilute your urine and therefore the smell. When your ketone levels are elevated, youre considered to be in ketosis. If this sounds horrible, it is. When your body is in ketosis (a.k.a., it breaks down fat for fuel instead of carbs), it produces ketones (chemicals like acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and Weight loss. This content is imported from poll. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. They say their vagina has a more pungent smell since they've gone keto. This article, Breakfast cereals boast impressive health claims, but many are high in sugar and refined carbs. These compounds are passed into the urine, giving it a peculiar smell. Though most everyone probably produces the scent to some degree, it seems not everyones noses pick up on it. The Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and focuses on balancing different types of energy within your body. Here are the biggest culprits of why you're stinking up the toilet bowl. One big issue for many keto dieters is sleep, especially when they first change their diet (14). But don't let this freak you out too much -- PKU is usually diagnosed in infancy, so if you haven't developed it yet, you're probably good. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. And some say another unpleasant side effect of the keto diet exists: "keto crotch," or a foul-smelling vagina. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. Keto (low-to-no carb, high-fat, protein-heavy diets) are all the rage for weight loss. It comes with a whole slew of pretty gnarly side effects like the keto flu, keto breath, and keto diarrhea. Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that youre alittle dehydrated. It affects babies and children. Despite the nutritional benefits of asparagus, many are opposed to eating the vegetable due to its pungent aftereffects. Gail L. Nunlee-Bland, MD, chief of endocrinology and director, Diabetes Treatment Center, Howard University. You might also feel sick, have pain that comes and goes, and have bloody urine. Im sorry they handled this so poorly, truly. Renita White, MD, is an obstetrician/gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. There are also long-term effects of a keto diet. Asparagus is a delicious green vegetable that comes with one very noticeable side effectit makes your pee smell foul. Learn these things your poop can teach about your health. Does Tiger urine smell like popcorn? If the stinky scent bothers you, tell your doctor about it. Keeping the vulvar and vaginal area dry is another way to keep unwanted odors down. This unpleasant smell is from the buildup of phenylalanine in the body, and if untreated, could lead to serious health complications such as intellectual disability, seizures, and brain damage. Asparagusic acid is only found in asparagus, though Smith says there are plenty of other foods that can change the smell of your urine. The only thing you should be using to cleanse your vaginal area is water. The initial switch to a keto diet can be one of the biggest issues for new dieters. Ah, the keto diet. Heres everything men need to know about bladder leakage. Not everybody, Louis. WebThis smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. "I've been on the diet for about a month and a half now and I've noticed that my vaginal odors have gotten MUCH stronger(It smells like a mix between urine and dischargeI'm not exactly sure how vaginas are 'supposed' to smell like. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Mens Health, Womens Health, Self, Glamour, and more. Ketones are chemical byproducts that provide a new fuel source for your cells. During the first few months there was some extra smell stuff happening all over - crotch and otherwise. Go see your doctor right away. I have to think happy thoughts during squats," another woman posted on Reddit. Onions make you cry, and they also make your urine stinky. 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. Your body gets rid of nutrients you dont need through peeing. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. B vitamins in your multivitamin are often the culprit of smelly urine. It turns out there are lots of things that affect the smell of your pee. As many weight loss studies have shown, youll likely experience both short- and long-term weight loss when switching to a keto diet (2, 6). People often report brain fog, tiredness, and feeling sick when starting a very low carb diet. If there is such a thing, that is. When you get into ketosis, a large part of the brain starts burning ketones instead of glucose. With Walk At Home And MIRROR', This Mom Lost 95 Lbs. Vegetables are good for your body, but dont be alarmed if they make your urine smell like rotten cabbage. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. Electrolytes are often lost because of the rapid reduction in your bodys water content and the elimination of processed foods that may contain added salt (2). As you progress into a keto diet, youll start to burn fat and ketones as your main fuel sources. No matter how funky your mid-morning pee smells, coffee is totally worth it. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. Maple syrup urine disease is an inherited condition in which the body can't break down certain amino acids properly, and creates a sweet smell in the urine. 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. You might experience digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, when you first switch to a keto diet. Thats called hyperosmia. Its not dangerous at all. There are hills to die on, and this ain't one of 'em. If asparagus is on the menu, it may rear its ugly smell as early as a mid-meal bathroom break.