Howard Stern, David Letterman and Male Genital Odors (MGO)

What in the world? What would prompt shock jock Howard Stern and talk show host David Letterman to have a conversation about male genital odors (MGO) - and on national TV nonetheless? The conversation took place when Stern recently appeared on Letterman's Late Show to promote Sirius Satellite Radio. As he talked about his move to Sirius, he commented that free mediums such as Sirius tend to attract unconventional sponsors. With that, he handed Letterman a box of medicated cream to remove male genital odors. The MGO cream is a new over-the-counter product of Synerfied Healthcare and called none other than "NodorO."

For the most part, MGO has been a taboo subject. But when Stern and Letterman brought it into the open, albeit just briefly, I began to wonder about it. Just what is MGO? What causes it? Is it something new, or are men just now becoming willing to talk about? Or do you even care? For those who do, read on.

MGO is not a laughing matter for those who have it. In a telephone interview, I asked urologist Laura Huxley about MGO. Dr. Huxley explained that at the base of the glans penis are several sebaceous glands that secrete a material called smegma. The smegma has what she termed a peculiar odor. Because of the location of the sebaceous glands and the moistness of the area, particularly in uncircumcised men, the smegma can build up, along with cellular debris. When this occurs, a very unpleasant, even rancid, odor can result. Irritation and infection can also occur. Generally, she said, good personal hygiene on a daily basis is sufficient to prevent MGO. But in some adolescents and adult men, the problem can be more persistent and quite embarrassing.

For those with persistent MGO, Dr. Huxley said she recommends frequent showers, with special attention given to cleaning the area at the base of the glans penis. In uncircumcised men, this requires pulling back the foreskin to expose the glans penis. She also recommends the use of either baby powder or corn starch to help keep the area dry. Dr. Huxley said she was not familiar with "NodorO," but using an antibacterial moist wipe such as "Wet Ones" can also help prevent odor-causing bacteria from developing.

Dr. Huxley also said, in her experience, uncircumcised males tend to have more problems with MGO than circumcised males. However, this is not to say she believes circumcision is the preferred practice. In fact, she said, circumcision is being done less often than in the past, which may be one reason the subject of MGO is coming more to the forefront.

Resource:

NodorO; http://www.nodoro.com/