Unfortunately no, according to Smith. The ketones themselves may also affect your brain, helping to reduce appetite (12) (13). Ketones are chemical byproducts that provide a new fuel source for your cells. Too much vitamin B1 (thiamine) can make your pee smell like fish. You might get this kind of fistula if you have cancer or an inflammatory condition, like Crohns disease or diverticulitis. One of the hallmarks of a keto diet is a reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones. The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath (3). Here is everything you need to know about these. Your pee smells funny (think old and smelly) when you frequently hold it in throughout the day. As discussed above, removing carbs can lead to general tiredness at first. The symptoms resemble those of the actual flu, but with a different cause. The quick evaporation of those asparagus metabolites when peeing causes your urine to have a sulfurous odor, like rotten eggs or cooked cabbage. That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Douching can open you up to a whole host of other issues and increase your risk of infection.) And in the meantime, invest in some Poo-Pourri. Vegetables are good for your body, but dont be alarmed if they make your urine smell like rotten cabbage. Liver disease can make your pee and breath smell musty. Asparagusic acid is broken into volatile compounds that are discharged through the urine. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. Asking yourself, Why does my pee smell? The 6 Biggest Keto Diet Mistakes Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. But a lack of fluids does raise your chances of getting kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Tell your doctor if you have a fever, blood in your pee, or if youre in a lot of pain. Here's what the keto flu is, why it happens. A small 2010 study showed that about 8% of people have none or only small amounts of enzyme to break down asparagusic acid. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. Your urine might smell funky if it hangs out in your bladder for a while. Like any other body part, your vagina needs to be kept clean. But your doctor can help you manage the smell. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. There are 3 types of tyrosinemia, which cause problems breaking down theamino acid tyrosine. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. Thats because bacteria can build up in your urine and make it stink. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. This is a detailed beginner's guide to the paleo diet. This is because your sense of scent, like your perception of color, is determined by your genes. Any diet can change your vaginal pH, Dr. Shepherd says, which can then change the odor a bit. A different Reddit user agreed, responding: "Oh boy, yes. You may need to get the stones taken out at a hospital. Asparagus pee is something that cannot be controlled by anyone. Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that youre alittle dehydrated. The enzymatic process breaks down distinct chemicals as your body digests meals. Ketones are an extremely potent fuel source for your brain. Some people are hypersensitive (or hyposensitive) to androstenone, a component of sweat. When your ketone levels are elevated, youre considered to be in ketosis. Surgery can fix fistulas. When your body isnt getting the glucose it needs for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15). They provide the main and most efficient fuel source for all forms of high intensity exercise. This process, the goal of a keto diet, is called ketosis. 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. Fluids help water down, or dilute, your pee. Sometimes 2 days. Also, make sure to eat plenty of healthy low carb veggies, which still contain plenty of fiber. If you have more waste than water inyour urine, it can smell more strongly. And if you've been swimming or wading in a river, lake, or chlorinated pool, it can also help to shower or rinse off after you've been in water. Byproducts build up and cause breath, sweat, and urine to smell like boiled cabbage. And even a slight change in pH (even one doesn't impact the health of your vagina) can alter the smell you're used to. That may also raise your chances of getting a UTI. Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. With WW And Walking, How To Lose Weight Fast Safely And Naturally. And prenatal vitamins might change the way your pee smells. When this happens, your liver starts producing high numbers of ketones to supply energy for your brain. 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. If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. Samantha Lauriello is a social media strategist and editor. The study About one-third of women over the age of 65 can have bacteria in the urine on and off, says Dr. Comiter. Here are the 6 best sweeteners for a keto diet. Theres no need to erase your vaginas natural odor. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. Maybe you can conduct your own survey at the next family meal that includes a platter of asparagus or soon after. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. This gives you an idea of your bodys ketone levels since more acetone leaves the body when youre in nutritional ketosis (9). Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. If cystine is in your urine, it may smell like rotten eggs. The keto flu, or carb flu, is used to describe symptoms often experienced by those beginning a keto diet. If youre prone to infections or bacteria, then the bacteria will grow and grow until you pee them out, says Dr. Comiter. Lastly, theres the controversy. Research Scientist in Epidemiology, T.H. 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. "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. 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. When voided from the body, they become foul-smelling gas, wafting up from your asparagus pee. All rights reserved. If there is such a thing, that is. Theyll test your pee for ketones and help you manage your diabetes. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Tbh, tons of totally harmless reasons could explain this. I smelled so bad every time I tried keto. No matter how funky your mid-morning pee smells, coffee is totally worth it. The truth is, going on a high-fat, low-carb diet can be a little rough on your body at first. . This usually improves after a few weeks. It's pretty rare, and since it's genetic you'll see it in infants and other young kids. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University. You may need to take antibiotics to get better. MedTerms medical dictionary is the medical terminology for MedicineNet.com. "It's never normal for your vagina to have an odor," said Dr. Streicher. However, its been suggested that this hunger reduction may be due to alterations to your bodys hunger hormones, along with an increased intake of proteins (11, 12). "Breaking the seal" isn't a thing, but drinking alcohol definitely makes you have to pee more. So while plenty of people are sure the keto diet is the cause of their odorous vagina, no science yet supports this. /r/keto is place to share thoughts, ideas, benefits, and experiences around eating within a Ketogenic lifestyle. You could have a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. The Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and focuses on balancing different types of energy within your body. Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? WebAnswer (1 of 16): I did all of that for quite some time and didnt notice a different smell to my pee. How long does it take to go away? Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. B vitamins are water soluble, which means your body doesnt store them, and whatever you dont need is removed in your urine. 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. What supplements should we really be taking? On one hand, it's helped tons of people lose weight. it is this increased ammonia Short-term decreases in performance can occur. 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. A fistula is an extra opening that forms between two organs. Ammonia occurs naturally in water, soil, and the air, and is also found naturally in plants, animals, and the human body. While theres always waste in your urine, like ammonia, the smell is stronger if youre dehydrated. You may start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. 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. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. 7 Ways To Keep Your Vagina Healthy As You Age. Terms of Use. How To Prevent an Unpleasant Vaginal Odor, Keto Breath Is a Common Problem for Low-carb Dieters, Why Does Sex Have a Smell? "Of course, having diabetes increases the chances of spilling glucose into the urine if blood glucose levels are too high." Foods. 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. 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. The only thing you should be using to cleanse your vaginal area is water. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. That's also why your pee becomes dark and bad-smelling, she adds, because as your body gets dehydrated from drinking too much coffee, the bacteria become more concentrated in your waste. Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. 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. When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. It doesnt mean youre unhealthy. It's much stronger than 'musk' for me :/)," one Reddit user posted. Many long-term keto dieters claim that they sleep better than before after adapting to the diet (25). If your pee smells funny in a very distinct way, its time to drink up. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. It affects babies and children. Everyone has their own individual scent sense of the environment. Tyrosinemia. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. As you pee, these aspargusic acid-turned sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to smell that distinctive asparagus pee scent. There are hills to die on, and this ain't one of 'em. 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. There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for Nearly two weeks before being Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. But if the smell persists or you start to notice other symptoms like itchiness, burning, and abnormal discharge, its time to see your doctor. Although, many do not consider doing this just for the sake of smelly urine. As for hours my pee smells more like days. Affected by Urinary Infection. Your body gets rid of nutrients you dont need through peeing. More research still needs to be done on metabolism and genetics to determine exact causes of these differences. 2. Your genes affect whether you can smell these sulfur byproducts. It is a normal phenomenon and is not related to the overall health of the individual. It has a strong odor that smells like urine or sweat. The reasons why this happens are still being investigated. Doing so may increase your risk of digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies. Another way to measure ketosis is by testing urine for other byproducts, specifically beta-hydroxybutyrate and urine acetoacetate. Its not dangerous at all. Douching with fluids or chemicals will kill the good bacteria and allow bad bacteria to move in instead. Couple that with the fact that a lot of people on keto tend to use artificial sweeteners, which also can cause stomach issues, and you might set yourself up for some serious bathroom sprints. 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. 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. 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. When you start a low carb diet, your body must adapt to burning more fat for fuel instead of carbs. Fun! He says that one cannot prevent the breakdown of asparagusic acid if they have the enzymes present in their body.. Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. While youre in there, you might get a whiff of something that doesnt smell good. Sarah Coseo Markt receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. The most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis is to measure your blood ketone levels using a specialized meter. 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. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. 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). 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. Cleveland Clinic: Urine Smell: What Does It Mean?, Colorado State University: Water-Soluble Vitamins: B-Complex and Vitamin C 9.312., Journal of the American Medical Directors Association: Cloudy, Foul Smelling Urine Not a Criteria for Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection in Older Adults., Mayo Clinic: Diabetic ketoacidosis. Urinary tract infection (UTI), Urine odor., Merck Manual Consumer Version: Tyrosinemia., Metabolites: Quantitative Determination of Common Urinary Odorants and Their Glucuronide Conjugates in Human Urine., National Health Service: Kidney stones, Smelly urine., National Organization for Rare Disorders: Maple Syrup Urine Disease., Pacific Mens Health: Men's Health 6 Reasons Your Pee Stinks., U.S National Library of Medicine: Trimethylaminuria.. You can also use special indicator strips to measure the presence of ketones in your urine daily. According to Dr. Dutta, If you're on the keto diet and develop a rash, dont just blame it on the diet, she says. If youre holding on to it, you will get extra pungent urine.. Some medicineslike antibiotics can make your urine stink. 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. While this breath may be less than ideal for your social life, it can be a positive sign for your diet. Okay, so people are definitely experiencing something funky going on with their vaginal scents. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Its crunchy yet tender and can be used in everything from salads and soups to pasta dishes. Atkins Vs. or you can pee at home because your piss reeks. When your body reaches ketosis on a ketogenic diet, it uses ketones as an alternative energy source. Sometimes your pee smells funny when you take certain kinds of multivitamins. Fast weight loss can occur during the first week. These are chemicals that are naturally produced by your body. 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. You may lose a noticeable amount of weight as early as your first week on the keto diet. Keto Crotch Is A Thing You Should Know About, The Real Difference Between Keto And Low-Carb. Your food, vitamins, and medications are the most common cause of a badurine smell. The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular, effective way to lose weight and improve your health. This smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Employer: "OP please contact your doctor to provide us with a doctor's note so we can properly file this. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. "Alcohol ferments and causes the odor of the urine to be like rotting greens," Dr. Gupta says. Since women are generally better able to detect smells, its possible some women were either too polite to mention the smell or didnt pick up on it due to their position while peeing. Its part of the flora bacterial environment.. MedTerms online medical dictionary provides quick access to hard-to-spell and often misspelled medical definitions through an extensive alphabetical listing. In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. Wearing breathable fabrics can also help prevent unwanted moisture and scents from building up. Asparagus isnt the only food that has genetically linked controversial smell or taste effects. 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. However, theyre not considered very reliable. So keto rash is a real thing. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. This is termed the low carb flu or keto flu.. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. According to data, 40 percent of subjects firmly believed that they could detect a distinct odor in their urine after eating asparagus, whereas 60 percent could not and were labeled asparagus anosmic. PKU, short for phenylketonuria, is another inherited disorder where the body can't break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein. Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine. 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 rare, life-threatening genetic condition prevents the body from breaking down some amino acids. This odor has become so well known that post When enzymes in the human digestive tract break down the asparagusic acid thats naturally present in the vegetable, these volatile compounds are created. A quick search online will reveal several keto followers who complain about this particular effect. In this day and age, urologists run blood tests, not taste tests, to check for diabetes. You may not have other symptoms. This is great for weight loss, but not so great for your body odor. Washing inside of it could upset the balance of good and bad bacteria. Changes in diet can lead to potential changes in vaginal health, which could mean more rashes, says Dr. Shepherd. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. That bagged urine really smells because once its out of you, the bacteria flourish, says Dr. Comiter. health & living health center/do all people's pee smell after eating asparagus article. The Ketogenic Diet is a low carbohydrate method of eating. 'I Lost 50 Lbs. Odd smells along with feeling sick, pain, orbloody urine are a sign you should see your doctor. See additional information. But it can also be normal if eating this vegetable doesn't change the smell of your pee. But if you notice a rash down there and its not going away, its time to call your doctor, as you could be experiencing a yeast infection, STD, or other skin condition. If you notice you have a weird odor going on down there right after you go keto, you may want to give it a few days to see if it goes away, says Dr. Greves. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. Whats more, there are further benefits primarily an increased ability to burn more fat during exercise. However, it can often be hard to know whether youre in ketosis or not. 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. It can take a few days or weeks for this to start working properly. It goes from being mild and lovely to being forceful and pretty terrible. Another way to measure blood ketone levels is a breath analyzer. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. People who use catheters and urine drainage bags may complain of a stinky urine odour in their bags. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It happens when your body cant break down trimethylamine. 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. I now dread coming in. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. 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?. Fruits and vegetables can help hydrate you, too. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood. Maybe I'm just a freak of nature!". ", On a separate thread, another user slash keto dieter wondered: "Does anyone else's lady bits smell different too? Talk to your doctor if it hurts to pee and you have a fever. This one's also a rare genetic disorder, but for those afflicted, the odor can also impact breath and sweat, according to Dr. Ellerkmann, so it's hard to get away from. A keto diet generally involves a major change in the foods you eat. There are many fast food options available that are low in carbs. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that youneed more fluids. Thank you", This! Renita White, MD, is an obstetrician/gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. Here are 7 tips for how to get into ketosis. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. The rest are unaware of the smell. Certainurine smells can be a sign of some conditions, but your doctor might not consider that to be the case unless you have other symptoms. When in ketosis, your body converts the fatty acids into chemicals called ketones.