What is the White Substance on the Head of a Turtle?
Men should always prioritize proper hygiene of their genitalia. Failure to maintain cleanliness can easily lead to the accumulation of smegma, a white substance that forms on the glans penis. Smegma has a foul odor and can be carcinogenic. During puberty, the accumulation of smegma can also affect the development of the penis, leading to a smaller-than-average penis size, which can have a negative impact on sexual life in the future. Additionally, it can easily cause infections in the reproductive system. Let's delve deeper into what this white substance on the glans penis is.
Firstly, what is this white substance on the glans penis? It is typically smegma. Under normal conditions, the foreskin has sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, which lubricates the area. This sebum also protects the glans penis by reducing dryness. In normal circumstances, there should only be a small amount of white film adhering to the surface of the glans penis. However, if there is a significant amount of smegma around the foreskin, it is mainly a mixture of sebum, dead cells, and shed epithelial cells.
Smegma can easily lead to bacterial infections. If you encounter this issue, it is recommended to regularly clean your foreskin to reduce the accumulation of smegma and prevent inflammation.
Now, let's discuss the harmful effects of smegma:
1. Causing a small penis: Smegma can hinder the normal development of the penis, leading to a smaller-than-average penis if not treated promptly.
2. Causing reproductive infections: Long-term accumulation of smegma can lead to urinary tract infections such as balanitis, glans penis inflammation, urethritis, genital warts, and herpes. These infections are caused by the accumulation of deposits such as smegma.
3. Causing sexual dysfunction: It can lead to pain, difficulty, and reduced sensitivity during sexual intercourse, resulting in male sexual dysfunction such as impotence, premature ejaculation, rapid ejaculation, and anorgasmia. This can lead to disharmony in marital life and a decrease in quality of life.
4. Causing gynecological inflammation: Excessive smegma accumulation in the foreskin can harbor various bacteria, leading to recurrent gynecological infections in female partners that are difficult to treat. Clinical studies have shown that smegma is an important cause of cervical malignancies in women.
5. Stimulating the glans penis and causing cancer: Conditions such as penile horns, penile papillomas, condylomata acuminata, penile leukoplakia, and proliferative erythema of the penis can easily transform into penile cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that over 90% of penile cancer cases are caused by smegma accumulation due to excessive foreskin or phimosis.
6. Causing balanitis and glans penis inflammation: Smegma can easily lead to frequent inflammation of the foreskin and glans penis. Long-term inflammatory stimulation can cause cellular degeneration and malignancy in the local tissues of the penis.
Therefore, it is crucial for men to maintain proper hygiene of their genitalia to prevent the accumulation of smegma and reduce the risks associated with it.