Smelly Urine in Males

In medical terms, normal urine is one which is clear, straw-yellow in color, and has a bearable mild odor. The odor in urine refers to the volume and concentration of different chemicals and toxins excreted by the kidneys.

The urine has a characteristic odor due to the presence of urea; higher its concentration, more is the smell. Normally, the smell in the urine depends upon the urine consistency, i.e., insufficiently diluted urine has a strong smelly odor as compared to a concentrated urine.

Though, the smell or changes in its color may not be a sign of serious illness, and can be temporary, here are a number of factors that contribute to the smelling of urine in males.

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Smelly urine is a common symptom of the urinary tract infections, which occur due to bacterial invasion of the tract. The bacteria such as Escherichia coli cause tissue damage, and travel into the urethra, bladder, and sometimes into the kidneys as well. 

Stress, weak immune system, poor diet, sexual intercourse with the infected person, etc., are some causes for these infections.

• Bladder Infection: Cystitis, a bladder infection, though more common in women, is another cause for smelly urine in men. It's a bacterial infection, which starts in the urethra, moves into the prostate, and then into the bladder, causing frequent urge to urinate, and pain or burning sensation while urinating.

• Dehydration: Dehydration can also cause odor in urine, as there is excessive loss of fluids from the body and insufficient intake of water or fluids, especially during hot climate or while exercising. Due to dehydration, the urine becomes more concentrated, and has a strong ammonia smell than normal.

• Eating Asparagus: Asparagus, a green vegetable belonging to the Liliaceae family, can also cause smelly urine. Although, there are no adverse effects of asparagus on urine, the odor is usually compared to rotting cabbage, ammonia, or rotten eggs.

• Diabetes: It is a metabolic disease caused due to high blood sugar levels as a result of insufficient insulin secretion in the body. The elevated sugar levels in the blood cause spillage of glucose into the urine, which leads to the formation of sweet smelling urine.

• Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD): It is a metabolism disorder caused by a gene defect, in which, the body is unable to break down certain parts of proteins, like, amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine). Urine in people suffering from this disorder may smell like maple syrup.

• Other Factors: Dietary factors, vitamin B-6 supplements, kidney infection, liver failure, kidney stones, medications, etc., are some other causes for odor in the urine.

One of the most effective way to treat this problem is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough fluids or water. Drinking one to two liters of pure, unflavored water daily will surely help you to overcome the odor.

Having raw cranberries or drinking cranberry juice, or unsalted yogurt blended with a teaspoon of honey is also helpful in getting rid of the urine odor.

Wearing loose inner clothing made from skin-friendly fabric like cotton, maintaining proper hygiene, and cleansing the genital area regularly, are also some simple yet effective treatment methods.

Medications, like, nitrofurantoin, cephalosporins, sulfa drugs, amoxicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, or quinolones can be used to treat urinary tract infections that cause odor in the urine.

However, if the above-mentioned remedies and medications don't help in treating the problem, and with time the symptoms, i.e., the odor becomes extremely strong, and the urine appears cloudy or dark, it's recommended to consult a urologist to elucidate the case.