In a surprising medical case from Taichung, Taiwan, a married man sought urgent help from a urologist after discovering a smegma under his for.eskin that had gone unnoticed for three decades.
The man was taking a shower when he experienced pain in his ge.nital area. As hardened dirt fell into the drain, he initially feared they were kidney stones and promptly visited Dr. Chen Zhaoan, a local urology specialist, on March 14.
Upon examination, Dr. Chen gently retracted the man’s for.eskin and discovered a large accumulation of smegma—an unpleasant mix of d3ad skin cells, oils, and bodily secretions.
The substance had hardened over time into thick, yellow-brown crusts that emitted a strong, foul odor. Dr. Chen described the smegma as having the consistency of stone, breaking apart in flakes during cleaning. The smell quickly filled the clinic, making the situation even more distressing.
According to Dr. Chen, the man had a notably long for.eskin and was unaware that it could—and should—be retracted for regular cleaning.
The patient revealed he had not been s3xually active for approximately 30 years, and during that time, the buildup silently accumulated. The doctor explained that this lack of hygiene likely allowed the smegma to calcify, resulting in the extreme condition seen during the visit.
Dr. Chen emphasized that many men are unaware of the importance of cleaning beneath the for.eskin. He pointed out that while cases as extreme as this are rare, he sees smegma-related issues roughly every two years.
He urged men to clean their gen.ital area daily with water and mild soap, especially those with an intact for.eskin.
He also encouraged anyone experiencing discomfort or uncertainty to consult a medical professional, noting that Taiwan provides excellent access to health information and care. To raise awareness, the 30-year-old smegma accumulation was preserved in specimen jars for educational purposes at Dr. Chen’s clinic.
