But your doctor can help you manage the smell. Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. 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. Health issues linked to douching include yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. There are also long-term effects of a keto diet. These are chemicals that are naturally produced by your body. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. It's best to avoid scented antibacterial soaps, which can affect the balance of natural bacteria in your vagina. While this breath may be less than ideal for your social life, it can be a positive sign for your diet. ", On a separate thread, another user slash keto dieter wondered: "Does anyone else's lady bits smell different too? Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. Many creatures rely on their sense of smell to survive. This article, Breakfast cereals boast impressive health claims, but many are high in sugar and refined carbs. These foods also produce methyl mercaptan, a gas that has a rotten cabbage odor and is released when peeing and breathing. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. 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. Douching can open you up to a whole host of other issues and increase your risk of infection.) Either way, you need to get it looked at. That bagged urine really smells because once its out of you, the bacteria flourish, says Dr. Comiter. Some of the common ones are: Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, curry, and salmon. 13. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. Also called a UTI, such an infection happens when you have bacteria in any part of your urinary system. You might also feel sick, have pain that comes and goes, and have bloody urine. But if the smell persists or you start to notice other symptoms like itchiness, burning, and abnormal discharge, its time to see your doctor. "Your urine isn't going to make your vagina smell," confirmed Dr. Streicher. "One type of ketone, acetone, is an ingredient in some nail polish removers, which is why your breath may smell like this familiar scent," said Cynthia Sass, RD, Health contributing nutrition editor. A 2016 study found that whether or not someone could smell asparagus pee is associated with a genetic variation near multiple olfactory receptor genes. Ultimately, if you are following the guidelines of a keto diet and staying consistent, you should be in some form of ketosis. It happens when your body cant break down trimethylamine. But don't let this freak you out too much -- PKU is usually diagnosed in infancy, so if you haven't developed it yet, you're probably good. About one-third of women over the age of 65 can have bacteria in the urine on and off, says Dr. Comiter. Do All People's Pee Smell After Eating Asparagus? - MedicineNet This is because your sense of scent, like your perception of color, is determined by your genes. All rights reserved. While theres always waste in your urine, like ammonia, the smell is stronger if youre dehydrated. 8 Things That Can Cause Odor, 5 Things That Can Change the Way Your Vagina Smells, Assessing Vaginal Health: 5 Clues From Your Vagina, Keto Flu Explained: Why Low-Carb Diets Can Make You Feel Sick and Tired, How to Start the Keto Dietand Ways to Stick With It. Vegetables are good for your body, but dont be alarmed if they make your urine smell like rotten cabbage. Sometimes your pee smells funny when you take certain kinds of multivitamins. The most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis is to measure your blood ketone levels using a specialized meter. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to Although, many do not consider doing this just for the sake of smelly urine. Your genes affect whether you can Things That Can Affect the Smell of Your Pee - WebMD This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. Fruity-smelling urine can be a sign of other diseases and complications. 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. Sick or elderly people with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible. It doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Renita White, MD, is an obstetrician/gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. Since you will be taking in more protein when you are following a keto diet, this can increase the amount of ammonia in your pee. Check the nutrition label for carbs if youre using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks. "If PKU is untreated, or if foods containing phenylalanine are eaten, the breath, skin, ear wax, and urine may have a 'mousy or 'musty' odor," Dr. Ellerkmann says. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, F/65/5'8" SD:1/18 SW:170ish CW:130ish Goal:healthy/happy/wellfed. Too much of this compound can give body fluids, like urine, a rotten odor. Two studies have shown that people who are unable to smell the odor in their own urine also dont detect it in the urine of known producers. 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. That's the odor you'll notice as the chemical leaves your body. While its unlikely that a keto diet can maximize performance for elite athletes, once you become fat-adapted, it should be sufficient for general exercise and recreational sports (24). On the other? When your body reaches ketosis on a ketogenic diet, it uses ketones as an alternative energy source. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. The disease can cause other serious symptoms like seizures, sleepiness, irritability, and poor feeding. Poor sleep and insomnia are common symptoms during the initial stages of ketosis. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for 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). Not everybody, Louis. 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. Asparagus Pee Byproducts build up and cause breath, sweat, and urine to smell like boiled cabbage. This is termed the low carb flu or keto flu.. For this reason, most people will just perform one test per week or every other week. "Nobody knows if this is a real effect of the keto diet," Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, told Health. 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. Terms of Use. Maxine Yeung is a registered dietitian and personal trainer. This may happen more often in children who dont pee when they feel the urge. Dont miss the 13 sexual health tips your urologist wants you to know. As you pee, these aspargusic acid-turned sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to smell that distinctive asparagus pee scent. But the food isnt the only one to cause a switch in urine odor, Dr. Movassaghi says. However, they tend to improve again after the initial adaptation phase is over. This odor has become so well known that post 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Thank you", This! The inability to smell this asparagus pee is an example of. That can lead to infections and discharge, which can smell bad when you pee. Some babies are born with a condition called tyrosinemia type 1. All rights reserved. As discussed above, removing carbs can lead to general tiredness at first. These side effects are natural. 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. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. Check out more body parts youre not washing the right way. Were talking headaches, fatigue, body aches, dizziness, and nausea. Urine Trouble If You Eat Asparagus | IU Health Im sorry they handled this so poorly, truly. This is dangerous and can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, the American Diabetes Association warns. You know eating asparagus makes your pee smell weird. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15). What is the link between genetics and asparagus pee? Theyll need to follow a special diet. But unfortunately, no research exists showing that diet alone can alter vaginal pH. Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. To reduce fatigue during this switch, you may want to take electrolyte supplements. Short-term decreases in performance can occur. You can lessen these symptoms by drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough electrolytes. "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. Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether youre in ketosis. Here are 12 fast foods you can eat on a low carb diet. Go see your doctor right away. Affected by Urinary Infection. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath (3). All rights reserved. Fast weight loss can occur during the first week. 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. Maybe I'm just a freak of nature!". Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The soap you use is also important. Talk to your doctor if it hurts to pee and you have a fever. This may be water weight, but fat loss may soon follow. However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks. They can tell you if its normal. Pee Smell And while asparagus itself doesnt have an odor, when it is digested, the sulfur bonds -- between the amino acids in 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. As excess sugar spills into your urine, it creates a sweet, sugary smell (and taste), explains Stephanie J. Kielb, MD, an associate Professor of Urology, Medical Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. or you can pee at home because your piss reeks. It causes symptoms like fruity breath, sweet-smelling urine, excessive thirst, and tiredness. 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. Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. 10 Signs and Symptoms That You're in Ketosis - Healthline You may not have other symptoms. Your urine might smell funky if it hangs out in your bladder for a while. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. Bad breath is actually a common side effect of reaching full ketosis. If you're on the keto diet and develop a rash, dont just blame it on the diet, she says. When enzymes in the human digestive tract break down the asparagusic acid thats naturally present in the vegetable, these volatile compounds are created. It can cause bad or fruity-smelling breath for people on a keto diet. In general, you can expect the keto flu to last anywhere from 24 hours to up to two weeks, as your body adjusts to being in ketosis. More research still needs to be done on metabolism and genetics to determine exact causes of these differences. In this day and age, urologists run blood tests, not taste tests, to check for diabetes. 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 was darker in colour but it didnt smell the way asparagus infused pee does. Come along for the ride! Wearing breathable fabrics can also help prevent unwanted moisture and scents from building up. "Sweet-smelling urine typically indicates the presence of sugar or glucose," Dr. Ellerkmann says. They may give you antibiotics, special soap, or suggest eating certain foods. On one hand, it's helped tons of people lose weight. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). Yes, there's actually a disease for your pee named after the sweet breakfast condiment. Sulfa is found in some diabetes medication, antibiotics, migraine medicine, anti-inflammatories, and (quite fittingly) diuretics. Thats why its always a good idea to remind kids to take bathroom breaks. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. This is one of the primary ketones present in the bloodstream. Fluids help water down, or dilute, your pee. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. Keeping the vulvar and vaginal area dry is another way to keep unwanted odors down. 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. The Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and focuses on balancing different types of energy within your body. Any diet can change your vaginal pH, Dr. Shepherd says, which can then change the odor a bit. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. Tyrosinemia. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. If you notice your pee is smelling really foul (not just strong, like when you're a little dehydrated), it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, says Dr. Mark Ellerkmann, director of urogynecology at the Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine in Baltimore. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. Some people can smell the characteristic odor that asparagus gives to their urine, while others cannot. According to one study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism in November 2016, these urine markers are highest in the morning and after dinner. Kidney stones. Here is everything you need to know about these. Garlic, onions and brussels sprouts, for example, all break down into sulfur compounds when digested. WebNo one really pays that much attention during a quick bathroom break. B vitamins in your multivitamin are often the culprit of smelly urine. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Next, discover the bathroom mistakes you never knew you made. Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. Make sure you get some assistance.. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that youneed more fluids. Asparagusic acid is broken into volatile compounds that are discharged through the urine. I have to think happy thoughts during squats," another woman posted on Reddit. Humans, on the other hand, rely heavily on their visual sense, so various mutations may have occurred in humans that degenerated the capacity to smell asparagus pee as a random error. 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. If your pee smells funny in a very distinct way, its time to drink up. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. 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.. I smelled so bad every time I tried keto. So why do only some people seem to experience this strong odor after eating asparagus? 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. They have even been tested in a medical setting to treat brain diseases and conditions such as concussion and memory loss (16, 17, 18, 19). The human nose has about 10 million olfactory receptors that determine how you perceive smells. This is the method is used in most research studies (7). So when you catch a whiff of a not-so-usual odor, it can really freak you out. Let your vagina clean itself. Also, make sure to eat plenty of healthy low carb veggies, which still contain plenty of fiber. The quick evaporation of those asparagus metabolites when peeing causes your urine to have a sulfurous odor, like rotten eggs or cooked cabbage. It affects babies and children. While youre in there, you might get a whiff of something that doesnt smell good. 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. If you have more waste than water inyour urine, it can smell more strongly. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. Eliminating carbs can also help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your urine can get super concentrated and take on a pungent urine smell similar to ammonia if you dont drink the recommended seven to eight glasses of water a day. However, theyre not as accurate as a blood monitor. Some STIs can lead to a smelly discharge in males and females. As for hours my pee smells more like days. You may need to take antibiotics to get better. The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular, effective way to lose weight and improve your health. A small 2010 study showed that about 8% of people have none or only small amounts of enzyme to break down asparagusic acid. You may start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. The Paleo Diet A Beginner's Guide Plus Meal Plan, What Is the Ayurvedic Diet? Thats why its important to drink water when youre thirsty. Thats called hyperosmia. According to some experts on the keto diet, nutritional ketosis is defined as blood ketones equal to or above 0.5 millimolar (mM) (8). WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Weight loss. Douching with fluids or chemicals will kill the good bacteria and allow bad bacteria to move in instead. Watch out for these clear signs youre not eating enough vegetables. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid Medicines for diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also can affect the way your pee smells. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You may start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. When adding these supplements, make sure to include sodium, potassium, and magnesium. That distinctive springtime smell: Asparagus pee - The Conversation Find out the diseases you can prevent just by washing your hands. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood. Keto Pee Smells Like Cat Pee (Why? & Now What?) Staying in the metabolic state of ketosis on a low carb keto diet requires reducing sugar consumption. See additional information. Unfortunately no, according to Smith. Urinary tract infections can cause a foul odour that some patients describe as rotten food or sweaty socks. However, this particular side effect of eating asparagus doesnt happen to everyone, and some If you need to go, let it flow. In certain types of ultra-endurance sports and events, a keto diet could even be beneficial (22). Medications. keto However, send an email with your understanding of the situation. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. Along with many other delights, springtime brings the beginning of the asparagus growing season. You may lose a noticeable amount of weight as early as your first week on the keto diet. 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. .css-26w0xw{display:block;font-family:NationalBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-26w0xw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-26w0xw{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.575rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}What To Know About Pilates And Weight Loss, 29 Vegetarian Keto Recipes That Are *So* Delish, 18 Keto Smoothies That Legit Taste Like Milkshakes, Easy Keto Side Dishes For Every Taste Bud. The reasons why this happens are still being investigated. This usually improves after a few weeks. Maple syrup urine disease. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. And prenatal vitamins might change the way your pee smells. Drinking more water can often help. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If your urine smells like metal, you might have a pseudomonas infection. See additional information. "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. If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. Webketo crotch and the office. When they follow up verbally--it will be verbal response--reply all on the same email chain and thank them for stopping by to confirm XYZ. 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. They can be a quick and cheap method to assess your ketone levels each day. If its dark yellow or an amber colour, theyre probably not drinking enough water.. 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." When these amino acids build up, their pee or earwax starts to smell sweet. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University. Its found in some stinky cheeses, bad breath, and farts, but you most likely know it as the molecule you're smelling when the stove burner doesnt light or there's a gas leak. Two hypotheses exist. That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Yep, some people online (shout-out to the Reddit page .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}r/xxketo!) Why does your pee smell after eating asparagus? Experts Onions. Your pee may also have a strong smell after you drink coffee, or eat fish, onions, or garlic. It may smell like cabbage. It has a strong odor that smells like urine or sweat. And consider speaking to a doctor or nutritionist you trust about whether keto is a good fit for your health and lifestyleand definitely chat them up about any questionable symptoms you experience if and when you do.