You might experience digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, when you first switch to a keto diet. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This includes an initial decrease in exercise performance. 7 Ways To Keep Your Vagina Healthy As You Age. A problem with your liver can make yourskin and eyes yellow and your urine dark and smelly. (Also, definitely don't douche. Tbh, tons of totally harmless reasons could explain this. Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether youre in ketosis. The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular, effective way to lose weight and improve your health. That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Fluids help water down, or dilute, your pee. "It's never normal for your vagina to have an odor," said Dr. Streicher. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Samantha Lauriello is a social media strategist and editor. No matter how funky your mid-morning pee smells, coffee is totally worth it. Digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea are common side effects in the beginning (14). Despite its unfavorable odor after you eat it, its still recommended to keep enjoying asparagus so you can reap all of its health benefits. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. 10 Signs and Symptoms That You're in Ketosis - Healthline MedTerms online medical dictionary provides quick access to hard-to-spell and often misspelled medical definitions through an extensive alphabetical listing. Weight loss. That bagged urine really smells because once its out of you, the bacteria flourish, says Dr. Comiter. During the first few months there was some extra smell stuff happening all over - crotch and otherwise. Kidney stones. Here are the 6 best sweeteners for a keto diet. The Ketogenic Diet is a low carbohydrate method of eating. Your urine might smell funky if it hangs out in your bladder for a while. A keto diet generally involves a major change in the foods you eat. WebThis smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. Urine smells like fish Maybe I'm just a freak of nature!". I have no idea! As you progress into a keto diet, youll start to burn fat and ketones as your main fuel sources. But a lack of fluids does raise your chances of getting kidney stones and urinary tract infections. This content is imported from poll. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. I'm diabetic and thinking about starting keto again but I smelled sooooo bad. This article tells you how long it takes to enter. or you can pee at home because your piss reeks. Ammonia (NH 3) is a colorless gas that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. It's best to avoid scented antibacterial soaps, which can affect the balance of natural bacteria in your vagina. You can also use special indicator strips to measure the presence of ketones in your urine daily. If you want a more accurate assessment, monitor ketone levels in your blood, urine, or breath every week. The vagina, the urine, a lot of your body is supposed to have a certain type of acidity, says Brant. I'm eating leafy greens. The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath (3). Eliminating carbs can also help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? - Healthline Its usually from your diet and medications, or it means you need to drink more water. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that youneed more fluids. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. The main downside of this test method is that it requires pricking your finger to draw blood. UPDATE: For everyone saying asparagus, I just checked my food diary and I last ate asparagus on October 13th. If this sounds horrible, it is. The 6 Biggest Keto Diet Mistakes Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. People born with this condition cant break down certain amino acids. 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. These include: Vitamins. Ultimately, if you are following the guidelines of a keto diet and staying consistent, you should be in some form of ketosis. It's pretty rare, and since it's genetic you'll see it in infants and other young kids. But if the smell persists or you start to notice other symptoms like itchiness, burning, and abnormal discharge, its time to see your doctor. The group of peeps who have experienced smelling an off scent down below seems to be pretty large, at least on the Internet. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. Medicines for diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also can affect the way your pee smells. According to Smith, the odor can begin as early as 15 minutes after ingestion and last up to 14 hours. But the exact compound or how many are causing it is still unknown. It affects babies and children. 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. This process, the goal of a keto diet, is called ketosis. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. The good news is that these vitamin-induced urine smells are harmless, so you can keep taking your daily vitamin supplements. Its primarily caused by the reduction in your muscles glycogen stores. 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. Thats because bacteria can build up in your urine and make it stink. Drinkinglots of water throughout the day can help with these smells and keep your urine clear. Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. Initially used to treat epilepsy in children in 1921, this high-fat, very low-carb diet grew to become a tool for weight loss, according to the National Library of Medicine's StatPearls. Does a Healthy Penis Smell BadAnd What About Semen? Go see your doctor right away. They can be a quick and cheap method to assess your ketone levels each day. The deficiency appears to be random, and up to 50 percent of people can sense the smell. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. Ever settle into the restroom to do your business and, amid the calming sound of your yellow stream, notice an awful smell? Vitamins dissolve either in fat or water before they are absorbed by your body. The culprit of that asparagus pee smell is a particular sulfur compound found only in that vegetable. Theyll need to follow a special diet. They say their vagina has a more pungent smell since they've gone keto. Tell your doctor right away if you vomit, have trouble breathing, or feel confused. That's because your body breaks down fat for energy instead of carbs. it is this increased ammonia What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. Just say you want their outrageous demand in writing. Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. These foods also produce methyl mercaptan, a gas that has a rotten cabbage odor and is released when peeing and breathing. It's one of the universally acknowledged food truths, like how coffee makes you poop and beans make you fart. 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. It comes with a whole slew of pretty gnarly side effects like the keto flu, keto breath, and keto diarrhea. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Foods that convert tosulfur compounds in your body can make your urine smell rotten. In fact, a study my colleagues and I conducted in 2017 found that only 40 percent of those surveyed reported detecting the odor in their urine. Whats the Ideal Ketosis Level for Weight Loss? I smelled so bad every time I tried keto. Pee doesnt usually have a strong smell. Your pee or breath may smell fruity if you dont treat high blood sugar. All rights reserved. According to some experts on the keto diet, nutritional ketosis is defined as blood ketones equal to or above 0.5 millimolar (mM) (8). Odd smells along with feeling sick, pain, orbloody urine are a sign you should see your doctor. To reduce fatigue during this switch, you may want to take electrolyte supplements. Last medically reviewed on October 30, 2022. 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. The only thing you should be using to cleanse your vaginal area is water. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Some medicineslike antibiotics can make your urine stink. But your doctor can help you manage the smell. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The research hypothesizes that this unexpected finding is due to a few modest women who did not want to acknowledge they could smell the stench or that the female stance during urinating makes them less likely to notice an odd odor. But, it's important not to overdo it by washing excessively or using scented products like perfumes, powders, and deodorant sprays. Does Tiger urine smell like popcorn? Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. Urine Trouble If You Eat Asparagus | IU Health And then theres keto diarrhea, which is about as fun as it sounds. A different Reddit user agreed, responding: "Oh boy, yes. Many creatures rely on their sense of smell to survive. Elevated ketone levels cause the bad breath. But it doesnt represent a risky infection because its just bacteria that flourishes in the urine and then disappears. If you experience other symptoms like a burning sensation while peeing or a fever, see a doctor. When in ketosis, your body converts the fatty acids into chemicals called ketones. 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. Researchers are skeptical of this finding because women are known to detect odors more precisely and consistently than men. But unfortunately, no research exists showing that diet alone can alter vaginal pH. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. Changes in diet can lead to potential changes in vaginal health, which could mean more rashes, says Dr. Shepherd. However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks. He says that one cannot prevent the breakdown of asparagusic acid if they have the enzymes present in their body.. This is when you begin to reap the benefits of a keto diet. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. Yes, volunteers sniffed samples of other peoples asparagus pee. All rights reserved. Sometimes your pee smells funny when you take certain kinds of multivitamins. These compounds are passed into the urine, giving it a peculiar smell. Many people report decreased hunger while following a keto diet. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. In this day and age, urologists run blood tests, not taste tests, to check for diabetes. It's much stronger than 'musk' for me :/)," one Reddit user posted. 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). Keto Pee Smells Like Cat Pee (Why? & Now What?) As trimethylamine collects in your body, your sweat, breath, and urine will smell rotten or fishy. A change in vaginal smell could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or an STD. Webketo crotch and the office. Terms of Use. Ketones can give your urine a sulfur smell.. If anything, it's something to be aware of if you notice a change in pee smell with no other explanation. If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. The smell is present; you just can't detect it. 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). While some people believe this to be fat loss, its primarily water weight (2). This is great for weight loss, but not so great for your body odor. You can measure your ketone levels with a breath analyzer or urine strips. Urinary tract infections can cause a foul odour that some patients describe as rotten food or sweaty socks. Asparagus is a delicious green vegetable that comes with one very noticeable side effectit makes your pee smell foul. smell like It may smell like cabbage. Once theres a bacteria in the hospital or in the nursing home, it hangs around, says Craig Comiter, MD, a urologist for Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, CA. This is dangerous and can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, the American Diabetes Association warns. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. The more fat your body burns in ketosis, the more ketones, like acetone, your body produces as byproducts. According to data, 40 percent of subjects firmly believed that they could detect a distinct odor in their urine after eating asparagus, whereas 60 percent could not and were labeled asparagus anosmic. What is the role of sex in smelling asparagus pee? Maxine Yeung is a registered dietitian and personal trainer. Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that youre alittle dehydrated. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. And remember to be gentle when washing this sensitive area. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for weight loss (4, 5). 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. After several weeks, many keto dieters report that their performance returns to normal. But if you notice a rash down there and its not going away, its time to call your doctor, as you could be experiencing a yeast infection, STD, or other skin condition. Some stones are made from cystine, a substance with sulfur in it. If you cant, thats called asparagus anosmia. Chief among these molecules is methanethiolone of the six to eight sulfur molecules researchers have identified as likely culprits of smelly asparagus pee. Bad breath is actually a common side effect of reaching full ketosis. If your pee smells funny in a very distinct way, its time to drink up. Amy Krambeck, MD, Michael O. Koch professor of urology, Indiana University School of Medicine. Watch out for these clear signs youre not eating enough vegetables. Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? You know eating asparagus makes your pee smell weird. The odor is caused by the buildup and release of toxins in your urine. You may end up having the keto flu, which is basically a bunch of flu-like symptoms that often appear at the beginning of the keto diet. asparagus pee smells 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). Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. Im sorry they handled this so poorly, truly. According to Dr. Dutta, A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. This may further increase focus and improve brain function (20, 21). When voided from the body, they become foul-smelling gas, wafting up from your asparagus pee. 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. There are 3 types of tyrosinemia, which cause problems breaking down theamino acid tyrosine. They can also make infections more likely. That distinctive springtime smell: Asparagus pee Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? Cleveland Clinic It happens when your body cant break down trimethylamine. If your toilet bowl smells like a fish market gone bad, it could be trimethylaminuria (try saying that three times fast, or just one time, slow). Why Does My Pee Smell? Asparagus, UTIs & More Things It She has a masters degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day. And some say another unpleasant side effect of the keto diet exists: "keto crotch," or a foul-smelling vagina. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. And that means that even if your pee is the same, it may seem like the odor is weird or more intense. People often report brain fog, tiredness, and feeling sick when starting a very low carb diet. When your ketone levels are elevated, youre considered to be in ketosis. It can cause bad or fruity-smelling breath for people on a keto diet. Theyre commonly used to treat UTIs and other infections. Asking yourself, Why does my pee smell? Although the correlation isn't strong or that widely understood, Dr. Ellerkmann says taking a medication that contains sulfa might make your pee smell funky. In certain types of ultra-endurance sports and events, a keto diet could even be beneficial (22). If you need to go, let it flow. What Is Keto Crotch? - Health However, they tend to improve again after the initial adaptation phase is over. Whats more, there are further benefits primarily an increased ability to burn more fat during exercise. Water-soluble vitamins are excreted into your urine, Dr. Kielb says. The stinky pee smell might not be related to your keto diet at all. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Certain foods, including asparagus and fish, can make the urine smell. Its part of the flora bacterial environment.. Scientists believe the odor in question is due to two chemicals: methanethiol and S-methyl thioester. Keto crotch sounds similar to the keto breath phenomenon. That's because, like coffee, alcohol is a diuretic that makes the bacteria in urine more concentrated as you pee more and become dehydrated. But back in the 17th century, urologists would analyze urine samples for diabetes by using three of their senses: sight, smell and taste. "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. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. Ketones are an extremely potent fuel source for your brain. A keto diet can significantly reduce appetite and hunger. Thomas Mayo, a physician in the 1670s, described the taste of diabetic urine as wonderfully sweet as if it were imbued with honey or sugar. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, your body tries to get rid of extra blood sugar or glucose in the urine, creating the sweet smell, she says. These chemicals just happen to be things that we react to. Try drinking more water to mute the smell of your urine. Along with many other delights, springtime brings the beginning of the asparagus growing season. But, the good news is that it settles down and goes away after you've been keto for awhile. Do All People's Pee Smell After Eating Asparagus? - MedicineNet Urine normally has a slight smell, but some unusual and strong smells may also be noticed. Many long-term keto dieters report improved brain function and more stable energy levels, likely due to the rise in ketones and more stable blood sugar levels. Why Do I Feel So Crappy On The Keto Diet? Regardless of whether you prefer the green, purple or white variety, asparagus provides a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and its consumption as part of a healthy diet may reduce risk of cancer and cardiovascular-related diseases. 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. Here are 7 tips for how to get into ketosis. So when you catch a whiff of a not-so-usual odor, it can really freak you out. Keto vs. Mediterranean: Which Diet Is Really Better for You? One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. Douching with fluids or chemicals will kill the good bacteria and allow bad bacteria to move in instead. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This may be water weight, but fat loss may soon follow. Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine. Some foods have compounds that naturally have astrong odor and can make your urine smell. 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. OtherUTI symptoms include: Liver disease. Staying in the metabolic state of ketosis on a low carb keto diet requires reducing sugar consumption. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. They can tell you if its normal. If youre prone to infections or bacteria, then the bacteria will grow and grow until you pee them out, says Dr. Comiter. Some people are hypersensitive (or hyposensitive) to androstenone, a component of sweat. Make sure you get some assistance.. More bacteria get released into your urine during a UTI, causing a distinguished rank odor that he describes as a "pungent rotten-egg smell, often fishy-like." There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for Unravel The Science Mysteries Of Asparagus Pee 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. Asparagus pee is something that cannot be controlled by anyone. Why Does My Child Have Stinky Pee If asparagus is on the menu, it may rear its ugly smell as early as a mid-meal bathroom break. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. The sweetness comes from sugar in your urine and is a sign your body is trying to get rid of extra sugar in your blood. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). Theres also another condition called asymptomatic bacteria that can cause your pee to smell but doesnt necessarily mean you have a UTI. Its just the nature of an unsterile urine specimen. He suggests dropping an aspirin in the bag because salicylic acid neutralizes and banishes the bad smell. Bad bacteria that snuck its way into your bladder through your urethra often causes these strange odorous smells. Its not dangerous at all. With Walk At Home And MIRROR', This Mom Lost 95 Lbs. The ketones themselves may also affect your brain, helping to reduce appetite (12) (13). Treatment for an unusual urine smell depends on the cause. A healthy vaginal pH is acidicbetween 3.8 and 4.5and foods like onions, garlic, red meat, dairy, asparagus, broccoli, alcohol, and fruit can all affect the natural balance youve got going on, Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, ob-gyn at Montefiore Medical Center in New York previously told Women's Health. keto Drinking more water can often help.