The keto flu, or carb flu, is used to describe symptoms often experienced by those beginning a keto diet. "Anecdotally, there have been a lot of reports over the years that diet can influence vaginal odor, but it's never been studied.". The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath (3). It's a metabolic disorder in which your body can't break down trimethylamine, a compound that gets synthesized by bacteria in your gut when you eat foods high in choline and carnitine, like eggs and red meat. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. Whats more, test kits can be expensive. Medicines for diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also can affect the way your pee smells. Tbh, tons of totally harmless reasons could explain this. .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. 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). Terms of Use. Sometimes your pee smells funny when you take certain kinds of multivitamins. A 2016 study found that whether or not someone could smell asparagus pee is associated with a genetic variation near multiple olfactory receptor genes. Its crunchy yet tender and can be used in everything from salads and soups to pasta dishes. Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. Talk to a doctor about what vitamin doses are right for you. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. Chief among these molecules is methanethiolone of the six to eight sulfur molecules researchers have identified as likely culprits of smelly asparagus pee. Lastly, theres the controversy. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Fast weight loss can occur during the first week. The rest are unaware of the smell. "It's never normal for your vagina to have an odor," said Dr. Streicher. Talk to your doctor if it hurts to pee and you have a fever. It may smell like cabbage. Like any other body part, your vagina needs to be kept clean. Researchers are skeptical of this finding because women are known to detect odors more precisely and consistently than men. The digestion of asparagus produces methanethiol and S-methyl thioesters, chemical compounds containing stinky sulfur, also known as brimstone. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. There are 3 types of tyrosinemia, which cause problems breaking down theamino acid tyrosine. 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Its primarily caused by the reduction in your muscles glycogen stores. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). A different Reddit user agreed, responding: "Oh boy, yes. health & living health center/do all people's pee smell after eating asparagus article. Your urine might smell funky if it hangs out in your bladder for a while. "Sweet-smelling urine typically indicates the presence of sugar or glucose," Dr. Ellerkmann says. The quick evaporation of those asparagus metabolites when peeing causes your urine to have a sulfurous odor, like rotten eggs or cooked cabbage. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Most everyone knows about asparagus pee, but there are some other foods and medications that can also change the odor of the urine. Atkins Vs. 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. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. Odd smells along with feeling sick, pain, orbloody urine are a sign you should see your doctor. According to one study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism in November 2016, these urine markers are highest in the morning and after dinner. Health posed that question to an OB-GYN, who said keto crotch has never been scientifically investigated. The truth is, going on a high-fat, low-carb diet can be a little rough on your body at first. 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. People born with this condition cant break down certain amino acids. Your genes affect whether you can It can also cause stomach pain, throwing up, and feeling sick. Medications. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. 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!). Many people report decreased hunger while following a keto diet. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is one of the primary ketones present in the bloodstream. When you start a low carb diet, your body must adapt to burning more fat for fuel instead of carbs. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. Leslie, S.W., Sajjad, H., Nazzal, L. Renal Calculi (Cystinuria, Cystine Stones). StatPearls Publishing, 2020. Onewarning sign of diabetes or high blood sugar is urine that smells sweet or fruity. Bacterial infections like chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. Eliminating carbs can also help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Its also packed with nutrients, including folic acid, calcium and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E. The only downside: Asparagus seems to cause an unpleasant smell in our urine. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. 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. Let your vagina clean itself. 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. People who use catheters and urine drainage bags may complain of a stinky urine odour in their bags. These are chemicals that are naturally produced by your body. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. Urine normally has a slight smell, but some unusual and strong smells may also be noticed. And it's not like smelly pee will stink up your vagina. This may be water weight, but fat loss may soon follow. Some people avoid eating cilantro because they claim it has a soapy aftertaste. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. 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. 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. The other hypothesis is that everyone produces the odor, but they may not actually smell anything. The good news is that these vitamin-induced urine smells are harmless, so you can keep taking your daily vitamin supplements. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to Here are the biggest culprits of why you're stinking up the toilet bowl. Check the nutrition label for carbs if youre using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks. According to Dr. Dutta, The initial switch to a keto diet can be one of the biggest issues for new dieters. That can lead to infections and discharge, which can smell bad when you pee. Some people are hypersensitive (or hyposensitive) to androstenone, a component of sweat. Sulfa is found in some diabetes medication, antibiotics, migraine medicine, anti-inflammatories, and (quite fittingly) diuretics. Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. PKU, short for phenylketonuria, is another inherited disorder where the body can't break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein. This includes a reduction in insulin levels and the increased breakdown of fat (1, 2). Make sure you get some assistance.. 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. The meter measures your ketone levels by calculating the amount of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in your blood. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. Any diet can change your vaginal pH, Dr. Shepherd says, which can then change the odor a bit. 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. You may notice the smell as the fluid mixes with your pee. And if you're noticing you have to pee much more frequently, that could be another sign of diabetes. And just because you dont smell it doesnt mean youre not making it. When voided from the body, they become foul-smelling gas, wafting up from your asparagus pee. Health issues linked to douching include yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. The most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis is to measure your blood ketone levels using a specialized meter. There are many fast food options available that are low in carbs. 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. WebNo one really pays that much attention during a quick bathroom break. "Your urine isn't going to make your vagina smell," confirmed Dr. Streicher. Asparagus is a delicious green vegetable that comes with one very noticeable side effectit makes your pee smell foul. So keto rash is a real thing. However, they tend to improve again after the initial adaptation phase is over. Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Another way to measure blood ketone levels is a breath analyzer. This issue does go away over time though. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. Diabetic ketoacidosis. The 18th century French botanist Louis Lmery wrote that asparagus causes "a filthy and disagreeable smell in the urine, as everybody knows." 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. After several weeks, many keto dieters report that their performance returns to normal. The ketones themselves may also affect your brain, helping to reduce appetite (12) (13). Although, many do not consider doing this just for the sake of smelly urine. Yes, there's actually a disease for your pee named after the sweet breakfast condiment. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's probably best to discuss with your doctor to see how best to manage it. Thats because bacteria can build up in your urine and make it stink. One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. The soap you use is also important. 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. The symptoms resemble those of the actual flu, but with a different cause. This rare, life-threatening genetic condition prevents the body from breaking down some amino acids. In this day and age, urologists run blood tests, not taste tests, to check for diabetes. 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. I now dread coming in. They can also make infections more likely. The ketone acetone is partly expelled via your breath. There are also long-term effects of a keto diet. Some foods have compounds that naturally have astrong odor and can make your urine smell. Last medically reviewed on October 30, 2022. It's true that if your vaginal pH is thrown off, you're at a higher risk for developing bacterial vaginosis (an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina), which can have a funky odor, said Dr. Streicher. Watch out for these clear signs youre not eating enough vegetables. Here are 12 fast foods you can eat on a low carb diet. Your pee or breath may smell fruity if you dont treat high blood sugar. Maybe I'm just a freak of nature!". Yes. When enzymes in the human digestive tract break down the asparagusic acid thats naturally present in the vegetable, these volatile compounds are created. Urinary tract infections can cause a foul odour that some patients describe as rotten food or sweaty socks. 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. Maple syrup urine disease. I'm drinking water like a fish and peeing like it's going out of style. Ah, the keto diet. A keto diet can significantly reduce appetite and hunger. Some medicineslike antibiotics can make your urine stink. Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. 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. This content is imported from poll. (Also, definitely don't douche. You might also feel sick, have pain that comes and goes, and have bloody urine. As discussed above, removing carbs can lead to general tiredness at first. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. 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. But whether this is actually being caused by following the keto diet remains up for debate. It could, for example, be caused by urinary tract infection. Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think. 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. Your pee smells funny (think old and smelly) when you frequently hold it in throughout the day. A change in vaginal smell could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or an STD. One small yet famous study found that athletes who had switched to a keto diet burned as much as 230% more fat when they exercised compared to athletes who werent following this diet (23).