Like Brussels sprouts, methyl mercaptan occurs naturally in the vegetable. Why Does My Urine Smell Strong Like Ammonia. Of course, its entirely possible that other things you do around the time you start the keto diet could lead to a rash in the groin area, like working out more and hanging out in your sweaty gym clothes for too long. Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that youre alittle dehydrated. The measurement of breath acetones has been used since the 1960s to judge the level of ketosis that occurs in the body, according to a November 2015 article published in Obesity. It's much stronger than 'musk' for me :/)," one Reddit user posted. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. Discover signs and symptoms of ketosis, like changes to your breath, appetite, or energy levels. There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for the distinctive scent in your urine. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether youre in ketosis. Urine is mostly waste products and water and normally has a mild smell and a light yellow color. I smelled so bad every time I tried keto. How To Prevent an Unpleasant Vaginal Odor, Keto Breath Is a Common Problem for Low-carb Dieters, Why Does Sex Have a Smell? If your urine smells like metal, you might have a pseudomonas infection. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. I'm so glad to know im not crazy. You may need to get the stones taken out at a hospital. Scientists believe the odor in question is due to two chemicals: methanethiol and S-methyl thioester. Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. 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. Some women on Reddit have reported the smell going away after a while, while others said it persisted. So while plenty of people are sure the keto diet is the cause of their odorous vagina, no science yet supports this. Learn these things your poop can teach about your health. "Oh thank God I am not the only one with a stinky vajayjay. 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. 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. You dont need to say anything about being under medical care. However, it can often be hard to know whether youre in ketosis or not. If you want a more accurate assessment, monitor ketone levels in your blood, urine, or breath every week. "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. Asparagus contains asparagusic acid, an odorless acid that breaks down into volatile sulfurous byproducts, Dr. Christopher Smith, associate professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Yahoo Life. The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular, effective way to lose weight and improve your health. 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!). Not everybody, Louis. After several decades of running on a carb-heavy fuel system, your body is forced to adapt to a different system. How dehydrated you are can not only change its color, but also create a much more pungent smell, as can dietary choices and medical conditions. While theres always waste in your urine, like ammonia, the smell is stronger if youre dehydrated. Other foods, including Brussels Come along for the ride! MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine; however, not everyone can smell it. If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. Keto flu, keto breath, keto diarrheait's no secret the keto diet comes with side effects. Benefits, Downsides, and More, 12 Fast Foods You Can Eat on a Low Carb Diet, The Keto Flu: Symptoms and How to Get Rid of It, Nutritionists Put Mediterranean, DASH, and Flex Diets at the Top of Their List Once Again, The 6 Best Sweeteners on a Low Carb Keto Diet (And 6 to Avoid). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. After the initial rapid drop in water weight, you should continue to lose body fat consistently as long as you stick to the diet and remain in a calorie deficit. When adding these supplements, make sure to include sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Heres everything men need to know about bladder leakage. 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. And just because you dont smell it doesnt mean youre not making it. That may also raise your chances of getting a UTI. Dr. Ellerkmann has described it as smelling like maple syrup, burned sugar, or malt. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Related to Incontinence & Overactive Bladder. Im sorry they handled this so poorly, truly. One big issue for many keto dieters is sleep, especially when they first change their diet (14). Press J to jump to the feed. But tbh, that's probably not what's going on here, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, a minimally invasive gynecologist in Dallas and founder of Her Viewpoint. But, the good news is that it settles down and goes away after you've been keto for awhile. "Your urine isn't going to make your vagina smell," confirmed Dr. Streicher. Digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea are common side effects in the beginning (14). It's one of the universally acknowledged food truths, like how coffee makes you poop and beans make you fart. Samantha Lauriello is a social media strategist and editor. If you've been working out or sweating, change out of wet or damp clothing as soon as possible. Along with many other delights, springtime brings the beginning of the asparagus growing season. It's also a genetic thing -- not everyone who eats asparagus pees out that funky stench, and not everyone can smell it, although it's more common than not. Onions make you cry, and they also make your urine stinky. 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. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. Whats more, test kits can be expensive. However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks. This is termed the low carb flu or keto flu.. That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. An also take some bathroom spray with you/ spray before you go- it creates a film that traps odors. 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). or you can pee at home because your piss reeks. It causes strong or sweet urine. That bagged urine really smells because once its out of you, the bacteria flourish, says Dr. Comiter. Yes, there's actually a disease for your pee named after the sweet breakfast condiment. Make sure you get some assistance.. While this breath may be less than ideal for your social life, it can be a positive sign for your diet. If you notice a new or strange scent, talk to your doctor. When your body isnt getting the glucose it needs for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. How long does it take to go away? Her areas of expertise include fibroids, irregular vaginal bleeding, abnormal pap smears, infertility and menopause. One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. The use of acetone breath analyzers has been shown to be fairly accurate, though less accurate than the blood monitor method (10). But unfortunately, no research exists showing that diet alone can alter vaginal pH. 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. it is this increased ammonia This may happen more often in children who dont pee when they feel the urge. Does a Healthy Penis Smell BadAnd What About Semen? This is when you begin to reap the benefits of a keto diet. Liver disease can make your pee and breath smell musty. Thus, they dont produce smelly urine, says Smith. 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. Okay, so people are definitely experiencing something funky going on with their vaginal scents. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. Many people on keto and similar diets, like the Atkins diet, report that their breath takes on an unusual, fruity smell. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. Leslie, S.W., Sajjad, H., Nazzal, L. Renal Calculi (Cystinuria, Cystine Stones). StatPearls Publishing, 2020. There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. Asparagus is the perfect springtime vegetable. Tell your doctor if you have a fever, blood in your pee, or if youre in a lot of pain. 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. Webketo crotch and the office. Why Does the Keto Diet Cause ConstipationAnd How Can You Stop It? The rest are unaware of the smell. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. This is the method is used in most research studies (7). In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. Your urine might smell funky if it hangs out in your bladder for a while. 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. This gives you an idea of your bodys ketone levels since more acetone leaves the body when youre in nutritional ketosis (9). Some of the common ones are: Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, curry, and salmon. The smell is present; you just can't detect it. We recommend our users to update the browser. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Mayo Clinic: Hyperglycemia in diabetes, Strong-smelling Urine Not Necessarily Cause for Concern., American Family Physician: Urinalysis: A Comprehensive Review., American Diabetes Association: DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones., Nutrition & Metabolism: Branched-chain amino acids in health and disease: metabolism, alterations in blood plasma, and as supplements., National Organization for Rare Disorders: Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Tyrosinemia Type 1, Trimethylaminuria., MIT Medical: Ask Lucy: Could it B-vitamins?, Harvard Health Publishing: Urine color and odor changes., Frontiers in Psychology: Pregnancy and olfaction: a review., British Journal of General Practice: A nose for trouble., Urology Care Foundation: What is a Bladder Fistula?. WebAnswer (1 of 16): I did all of that for quite some time and didnt notice a different smell to my pee. The group of peeps who have experienced smelling an off scent down below seems to be pretty large, at least on the Internet. Not only does this give your urine a strange multivitamin pill odour, but it can also turn your urine a fluorescent green or greenish-yellow hue. After several weeks, many keto dieters report that their performance returns to normal. Asparagus pee is something that cannot be controlled by anyone. Asparagus anosmia specifically is caused by a genetic variation that alters olfactory (re: smell) receptors so you're unable to perceive the sulfuric odor, explains Ehsani. They work by forcing your body to burn fat for fuel instead of relying on glucose from carbs for energy. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have this condition, your urine might just smell like regular ol' pee (to you, at least) even if your urine contains post-asparagus sulfuric compounds. These chemicals just happen to be things that we react to. Try drinking more water to mute the smell of your urine. It affects babies and children. If you feel full and dont need to eat as often as before, then you may be in ketosis. Atkins Vs. You could have a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. He says that one cannot prevent the breakdown of asparagusic acid if they have the enzymes present in their body.. Theres also another condition called asymptomatic bacteria that can cause your pee to smell but doesnt necessarily mean you have a UTI. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15). Ketones are chemical byproducts that provide a new fuel source for your cells. The ketones themselves may also affect your brain, helping to reduce appetite (12) (13). Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. 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. Tbh, tons of totally harmless reasons could explain this. With Walk At Home And MIRROR', This Mom Lost 95 Lbs. The Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and focuses on balancing different types of energy within your body. More: 4 asparagus side dishes in under 30 minutes. 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. As for hours my pee smells more like days. Your food, vitamins, and medications are the most common cause of a badurine smell. Experts think hormones may change your perception of smells. A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. When your body is in ketosis (a.k.a., it breaks down fat for fuel instead of carbs), it produces ketones (chemicals like acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and On one hand, it's helped tons of people lose weight. You may notice the smell as the fluid mixes with your pee. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Its entirely possible that you were just unlucky enough to develop an infection or other gynecological issue at the same time as you went keto, and that it has nothing to do with your diet, says Dr. Greves. The release of ketones might also result in keto crotch, but it's never been researched. Well-known side effects can include weakness and fatigue (15). They may give you antibiotics, special soap, or suggest eating certain foods. Your body gets rid of nutrients you dont need through peeing. Ketones are an extremely potent fuel source for your brain. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. Lastly, theres the controversy. This smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. Here are 7 tips for how to get into ketosis. Also called trimethylaminuria, this genetic condition can give your pee a fishy smell. Coffee is also a diuretic, which doesn't help things. Sometimes, unusual urine This includes an initial decrease in exercise performance. Nearly two weeks before being called in the office. The reasons why this happens are still being investigated. On the low carb, high fat keto diet, your body enters a state in which you burn fat for your main source of fuel rather than carbs.Learn how to. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. Like any other body part, your vagina needs to be kept clean. PKU, short for phenylketonuria, is another inherited disorder where the body can't break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein. Some STIs can lead to a smelly discharge in males and females. Theyre commonly used to treat UTIs and other infections. Given that the keto diet is high in fat, it can end up making your poop a little more liquidy than usual, Barbie Boules, RDN, founder of Nyoutrition previously told WH. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid Your genes affect whether you can smell these sulfur byproducts. Despite its unfavorable odor after you eat it, its still recommended to keep enjoying asparagus so you can reap all of its health benefits. About one-third of women over the age of 65 can have bacteria in the urine on and off, says Dr. Comiter. Thats called hyperosmia. "Sweet-smelling urine typically indicates the presence of sugar or glucose," Dr. Ellerkmann says. Its usually from your diet and medications, or it means you need to drink more water. It may smell like cabbage. A different Reddit user agreed, responding: "Oh boy, yes. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As you might expect, this switch doesnt happen overnight. Despite the nutritional benefits of asparagus, many are opposed to eating the vegetable due to its pungent aftereffects. 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. Tough Journeys: When Cancer Strikes People Living With Dementia, Sea Spray Can Waft Polluted Coastal Water Inland, Cats, Dogs 'Part of the Family' for Most American Pet Owners: Poll, Dozens of Medical Groups Launch Effort to Battle Health Misinformation. If the If you really cant take the smell, then Smith recommends either eating less asparagus or drinking plenty of water to try to dilute your urine and therefore the smell. And then theres keto diarrhea, which is about as fun as it sounds. They can be a quick and cheap method to assess your ketone levels each day. Check out more body parts youre not washing the right way. Urinary tract infections can cause a foul odour that some patients describe as rotten food or sweaty socks. Theres no need to erase your vaginas natural odor. It causes symptoms like fruity breath, sweet-smelling urine, excessive thirst, and tiredness. Denying bathroom use is a violation of basic workplace rights. Too much vitamin B1 (thiamine) can make your pee smell like fish. The keto flu, or carb flu, is used to describe symptoms often experienced by those beginning a keto diet. This is a detailed beginner's guide to the paleo diet. However, not everyone can smell it. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. The human nose has about 10 million olfactory receptors that determine how you perceive smells. Watch out for these clear signs youre not eating enough vegetables. 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. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanillin, the primary chemical present in vanilla, is difficult to identify in two or three people out of a hundred. If cystine is in your urine, it may smell like rotten eggs. Yes. Theyre responsible for most of the unique health benefits of the keto diet. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). Poor sleep and insomnia are common symptoms during the initial stages of ketosis. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to Keto (low-to-no carb, high-fat, protein-heavy diets) are all the rage for weight loss. Metabolites: Quantitative Determination of Common Urinary Odorants and Their Glucuronide Conjugates in Human Urine., Indiana University Health: Urine Trouble If You Eat Asparagus., UnityPoint Health: What Causes Urine to Smell Bad?, CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology: Crowdsourced Asparagus Urinary Odor Population Kinetics., BMJ: Sniffing out significant Pee values: genome wide association of asparagus anosmia., Yale Medicine: 5 Ways You Could Pee Better., Family Practice: Accuracy of urinary symptoms and urine microscopy in diagnosing urinary tract infection in women., CDC: Urinary Tract Infection, Chlamydia: Treatment and Care., Kidney Health (Australia): Fact Sheet: Kidney Stones.. On a keto diet, your body undergoes many biological adaptations. 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. The NLM reports these symptoms: Some experts have theorized that the keto diet changes vaginal pH (the balance of bacteria in your vagina), which can alter your vaginal scent. Nearly two weeks before being You might also feel sick, have pain that comes and goes, and have bloody urine. 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. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. Douching with fluids or chemicals will kill the good bacteria and allow bad bacteria to move in instead. I'm eating leafy greens. Here are 12 fast foods you can eat on a low carb diet. A keto diet can significantly reduce appetite and hunger. Were talking headaches, fatigue, body aches, dizziness, and nausea. Sometimes 2 days. You may start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. "Breaking the seal" isn't a thing, but drinking alcohol definitely makes you have to pee more. Some babies are born with a condition called tyrosinemia type 1. And it's not like smelly pee will stink up your vagina. On the other? Tyrosinemia is treated with medicine and a low-tyrosine diet. Renita White, MD, is an obstetrician/gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. What supplements should we really be taking? If you notice it's a common occurrence, definitely see your doctor. 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. Some people say their pee smells like Cheerios, which might be a sweet smell that you should tell your doctor about. "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. Studies report that 22 to 50 percent of the population have smelly urine following consumption of asparagus. 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. As you progress into a keto diet, youll start to burn fat and ketones as your main fuel sources. Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Ultimately, going on the keto diet is entirely your choice, and you should see how your mind and body feel after you start to help you gauge whether it's a way of eating that works for you. WebThis smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. We asked almost 7,000 participants from two large cohort studies to respond to the prompt After eating asparagus, you notice a strong characteristic odor in your urine. By linking the questionnaire data with genetic data, we were able to show that the ability to smell or not to smell depends on a persons genetic makeup. 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. Treatment for an unusual urine smell depends on the cause. Here's what the keto flu is, why it happens. Does Garlic Actually Treat Yeast Infections? Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. Your pee smells funny (think old and smelly) when you frequently hold it in throughout the day. 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 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. Talk to your doctor if it hurts to pee and you have a fever. 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. Hundreds of variants in the DNA sequence across multiple genes involved in sense of smell are strongly associated with the ability to detect asparagus metabolites in urine. And if you're noticing you have to pee much more frequently, that could be another sign of diabetes. There are rare conditions that create a rotten Your doctor can help you figure out ways to manage your childs condition. The meter measures your ketone levels by calculating the amount of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in your blood.