There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. After several weeks, many keto dieters report that their performance returns to normal. 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. "Oh thank God I am not the only one with a stinky vajayjay. Asparagus How dehydrated you are can not only change its color, but also create a much more pungent smell, as can dietary choices and medical conditions. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Learn these things your poop can teach about your health. Why does your pee smell after eating asparagus? Experts But your doctor can help you manage the smell. This smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. This content is imported from poll. However, theyre not considered very reliable. health & living health center/do all people's pee smell after eating asparagus article. Why Your Pee Stinks While on the Keto Diet - LeftoverSwap As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. Fun! 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. It also has its own odor profile that creates that familiar beer-pee smell. They can also make infections more likely. When in ketosis, your body converts the fatty acids into chemicals called ketones. Thus, they dont produce smelly urine, says Smith. People born with this condition cant break down certain amino acids. 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. And remember to be gentle when washing this sensitive area. It goes from being mild and lovely to being forceful and pretty terrible. It can cause bad or fruity-smelling breath for people on a keto diet. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. "Too much coffee will make your urine concentrated, and hence will impart a foul odor to your urine," internist Dr. Aditi Gupta, head of the doctor's panel at JustDoc, says. The quick evaporation of those asparagus metabolites when peeing causes your urine to have a sulfurous odor, like rotten eggs or cooked cabbage. Coffee contains caffeol, the fragrant oil you smell after it's brewed, which you smell again when you pee it out, especially if you've downed a lot of it. 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. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for the distinctive scent in your urine. (Also, definitely don't douche. This is a detailed beginner's guide to the paleo diet. Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? Cleveland Clinic 7 Ways To Keep Your Vagina Healthy As You Age. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Thank you", This! NOT THIS YOU dont have them dead to right on this. Sarah Coseo Markt receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. You may notice the smell as the fluid mixes with your pee. PKU, short for phenylketonuria, is another inherited disorder where the body can't break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein. If things just smell off, go see a doctor ASAP to make sure everything's OK. Pissing sugar may sound like an amusing Southern expression, but it could be a sign of diabetes. For this reason, most people will just perform one test per week or every other week. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for It's probably best to discuss with your doctor to see how best to manage it. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. 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. And prenatal vitamins might change the way your pee smells. He says that one cannot prevent the breakdown of asparagusic acid if they have the enzymes present in their body.. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. Thats why its important to drink water when youre thirsty. Keto (low-to-no carb, high-fat, protein-heavy diets) are all the rage for weight loss. 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. So why do only some people seem to experience this strong odor after eating asparagus? Asparagusic acid is only found in asparagus, though Smith says there are plenty of other foods that can change the smell of your urine. Bacterial infections like chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. That includes sulfonamide antibiotics. Couple that with the fact that a lot of people on keto tend to use artificial sweeteners, which also can cause stomach issues, and you might set yourself up for some serious bathroom sprints. What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. Ketogenic diets have many powerful health benefits, but some people have trouble getting into ketosis. 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. Weird Reasons Your Pee Smells Funny | Reader's Digest Canada Maxine Yeung is a registered dietitian and personal trainer. Keto crotch sounds similar to the keto breath phenomenon. This odor has become so well known that post The Keto Diet: What's The Difference? Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. These side effects are natural. And it's not like smelly pee will stink up your vagina. Poor sleep and insomnia are common symptoms during the initial stages of ketosis. Foods. You could have a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Helping people with diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders, acid reflux, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and a number of other issues, every day. It happens when your body cant break down trimethylamine. I'm diabetic and thinking about starting keto again but I smelled sooooo bad. . WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A quick search online will reveal several keto followers who complain about this particular effect. While youre in there, you might get a whiff of something that doesnt smell good. Asking yourself, Why does my pee smell? I'm about to ovulate so maybe that with keto makes things a little more potent. You may not have other symptoms. It can take a few days or weeks for this to start working properly. Surgery can fix fistulas. OtherUTI symptoms include: Liver disease. One of the hallmarks of a keto diet is a reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones. The use of acetone breath analyzers has been shown to be fairly accurate, though less accurate than the blood monitor method (10). That distinctive springtime smell: Asparagus pee The more fat your body burns in ketosis, the more ketones, like acetone, your body produces as byproducts. But while theres no direct link, going keto could potentially have an indirect effect on whether you develop a rash. They work by forcing your body to burn fat for fuel instead of relying on glucose from carbs for energy. Why Do I Feel So Crappy On The Keto Diet? ", On a separate thread, another user slash keto dieter wondered: "Does anyone else's lady bits smell different too? Nearly two weeks before being Of course, its entirely possible that other things you do around the time you start the keto diet could lead to a rash in the groin area, like working out more and hanging out in your sweaty gym clothes for too long. Trimethylaminuria. Some of the common ones are: Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, curry, and salmon. Okay, so people are definitely experiencing something funky going on with their vaginal scents. Testing blood ketone levels with a monitor is the most accurate way to determine whether youre in ketosis. It affects babies and children. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. 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. Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine; however, not everyone can smell it. Vegetables are good for your body, but dont be alarmed if they make your urine smell like rotten cabbage. During the metabolism of asparagus, sulfur compounds in the asparagus are eliminated from the body through urine, which results in the pungent smell of urine. The sweet smell is from ketonuria, or a buildup of ketones. Morning sickness may leave you dehydrated. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to There are rare conditions that create a rotten The inability to smell this asparagus pee is an example of. When these build up in your blood, a compound called abranched-chain alpha-keto acid shows up in your urine and makes it, along with your earwax, smell like maple syrup. "Your urine isn't going to make your vagina smell," confirmed Dr. Streicher. When your ketone levels are elevated, youre considered to be in ketosis. On one hand, it's helped tons of people lose weight. And that means that even if your pee is the same, it may seem like the odor is weird or more intense. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that youneed more fluids. Samantha Lauriello is a social media strategist and editor. That may also raise your chances of getting a UTI. If you're on the keto diet and develop a rash, dont just blame it on the diet, she says. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you want a more accurate assessment, monitor ketone levels in your blood, urine, or breath every week. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. The study As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour. This odor has become so well known that post-consumption urine is now often referred to as asparagus pee.. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No matter how funky your mid-morning pee smells, coffee is totally worth it. However, this particular side effect of eating asparagus doesnt happen to everyone, and some Short-term decreases in performance can occur. B vitamins in your multivitamin are often the culprit of smelly urine. This rare, life-threatening genetic condition prevents the body from breaking down some amino acids. During the metabolism of asparagus, sulfur compounds in the asparagus are eliminated from the body through urine, which results in the pungent smell of urine. A keto diet induces ketosis which is a metabolic state where your body uses fat for energy, says Dr. Kielb.During this state, your urine and breath may both have an odour. This high-fat, low-carb eating plan has its fansand detractors. And if you're noticing you have to pee much more frequently, that could be another sign of diabetes. Urine odor Causes - Mayo Clinic But whether this is actually being caused by following the keto diet remains up for debate. But unfortunately, no research exists showing that diet alone can alter vaginal pH. If the stinky scent bothers you, tell your doctor about it. Find out the diseases you can prevent just by washing your hands. Some people are hypersensitive (or hyposensitive) to androstenone, a component of sweat. Dont miss the 13 sexual health tips your urologist wants you to know. In this condition, your body cant break down acompound called trimethylamine. Thats called hyperosmia. See additional information. These compounds are passed into the urine, giving it a peculiar smell. The Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and focuses on balancing different types of energy within your body. Renita White, MD, is an obstetrician/gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. If you feel full and dont need to eat as often as before, then you may be in ketosis. Benefits, Downsides, and More, 12 Fast Foods You Can Eat on a Low Carb Diet, The Keto Flu: Symptoms and How to Get Rid of It, Nutritionists Put Mediterranean, DASH, and Flex Diets at the Top of Their List Once Again, The 6 Best Sweeteners on a Low Carb Keto Diet (And 6 to Avoid). What To Know About Pilates And Weight Loss, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Keto Pee Smells Like Cat Pee (Why? & Now What?) You might experience digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, when you first switch to a keto diet. That distinctive springtime smell: Asparagus pee - The Conversation Digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea are common side effects in the beginning (14). If its dark yellow or an amber colour, theyre probably not drinking enough water.. These foods also produce methyl mercaptan, a gas that has a rotten cabbage odor and is released when peeing and breathing. 2. 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). And if you're a type 1 or type 2 diabetic who takes insulin, ketones could also affect your urine if your insulin levels are off, and there's not enough glucose for your body to use, Dr. Ellerkmann explains. But back in the 17th century, urologists would analyze urine samples for diabetes by using three of their senses: sight, smell and taste. The other hypothesis is that everyone produces the odor, but they may not actually smell anything. More: 4 asparagus side dishes in under 30 minutes. I'm five weeks on keto and I work in a leasing office. WebThis smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. When you get into ketosis, a large part of the brain starts burning ketones instead of glucose. It could, for example, be caused by urinary tract infection. Webketo crotch and the office. The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular, effective way to lose weight and improve your health. Some women on Reddit have reported the smell going away after a while, while others said it persisted. A problem with your liver can make yourskin and eyes yellow and your urine dark and smelly. When you enter a state of ketosis, usually by purposely forgoing almost all carbs and going on a keto diet, your body releases ketones as it burns fat for fuel. All rights reserved. Asparagus is notorious for making urine smelly. Its entirely possible that you were just unlucky enough to develop an infection or other gynecological issue at the same time as you went keto, and that it has nothing to do with your diet, says Dr. Greves. Your pee may also have a strong smell after you drink coffee, or eat fish, onions, or garlic. As discussed above, removing carbs can lead to general tiredness at first. How Do You Know If You Have A Hormonal Belly? If the Tough Journeys: When Cancer Strikes People Living With Dementia, Sea Spray Can Waft Polluted Coastal Water Inland, Cats, Dogs 'Part of the Family' for Most American Pet Owners: Poll, Dozens of Medical Groups Launch Effort to Battle Health Misinformation. When these amino acids build up, their pee or earwax starts to smell sweet. Certain foods, including asparagus and fish, can make the urine smell. If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. Here are the vitamins and supplements doctors take every day. Yes, volunteers sniffed samples of other peoples asparagus pee. Yes, there's actually a disease for your pee named after the sweet breakfast condiment. Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun. Like Brussels sprouts, methyl mercaptan occurs naturally in the vegetable. You can also use special indicator strips to measure the presence of ketones in your urine daily. We asked almost 7,000 participants from two large cohort studies to respond to the prompt After eating asparagus, you notice a strong characteristic odor in your urine. By linking the questionnaire data with genetic data, we were able to show that the ability to smell or not to smell depends on a persons genetic makeup. If the smell doesn't go back to normal a few days after quitting eating keto, that's a good sign something else might be causing it, since vaginal pH should return to normal after going back to your typical diet, notes Rosser. If there is such a thing, that is. Employer: "OP please contact your doctor to provide us with a doctor's note so we can properly file this. 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!). It's much stronger than 'musk' for me :/)," one Reddit user posted. But that doesn't mean people aren't still experiencing some less-than-pleasant odors down there on the keto diet. 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. But the food isnt the only one to cause a switch in urine odor, Dr. Movassaghi says. The rest are unaware of the smell. pee smell Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine. The soap you use is also important. Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. Tbh, tons of totally harmless reasons could explain this. People often report brain fog, tiredness, and feeling sick when starting a very low carb diet. Water-soluble vitamins are excreted into your urine, Dr. Kielb says. Those are chemicals your body makes when you burn fat, instead of glucose, for energy. I now dread coming in. it is this increased ammonia WebWhat does ammonia smell like? Just like how going super low-carb makes your breath reek, it can do the same to your pee. She has a masters degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day. That bagged urine really smells because once its out of you, the bacteria flourish, says Dr. Comiter. Gail L. Nunlee-Bland, MD, chief of endocrinology and director, Diabetes Treatment Center, Howard University. When adding these supplements, make sure to include sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Keeping the vulvar and vaginal area dry is another way to keep unwanted odors down. Asparagus isnt the only food that has genetically linked controversial smell or taste effects.