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. The digestion of asparagus produces methanethiol and S-methyl thioesters, chemical compounds containing stinky sulfur, also known as brimstone. Many people report decreased hunger while following a keto diet. You may start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. 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. While some people believe this to be fat loss, its primarily water weight (2). This smell is commonly compared to rotten cabbage or rotten eggs and can come from eating asparagus, garlic, and onions. Keeping the vulvar and vaginal area dry is another way to keep unwanted odors down. The odor is caused by the buildup and release of toxins in your urine. B vitamins are water soluble, which means your body doesnt store them, and whatever you dont need is removed in your urine. WebAnswer (1 of 16): I did all of that for quite some time and didnt notice a different smell to my pee. 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. These receptors are regulated by hundreds of genes. 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). Most importantly, dont make the mistake of eating a diet that lacks diversity. 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. 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. This may further increase focus and improve brain function (20, 21). Surgery can fix fistulas. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. Lycra or spandex is not very breathable, so it's better to go for cotton instead. Thats because bacteria can build up in your urine and make it stink. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. Researchers are skeptical of this finding because women are known to detect odors more precisely and consistently than men. For this reason, most people will just perform one test per week or every other week. Some women on Reddit have reported the smell going away after a while, while others said it persisted. No matter how funky your mid-morning pee smells, coffee is totally worth it. WebWhat does ammonia smell like? Your body gets rid of nutrients you dont need through peeing. And while asparagus itself doesnt have an odor, when it is digested, the sulfur bonds -- between the amino acids in Discover signs and symptoms of ketosis, like changes to your breath, appetite, or energy levels. Ammonia occurs naturally in water, soil, and the air, and is also found naturally in plants, animals, and the human body. This odor has become so well known that post More research still needs to be done on metabolism and genetics to determine exact causes of these differences. It also has its own odor profile that creates that familiar beer-pee smell. ", On a separate thread, another user slash keto dieter wondered: "Does anyone else's lady bits smell different too? Asking yourself, Why does my pee smell? Maple syrup urine disease. Watch out for these clear signs youre not eating enough vegetables. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid Your genes affect whether you can smell these sulfur byproducts. One of the hallmarks of a keto diet is a reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones. Despite its unfavorable odor after you eat it, its still recommended to keep enjoying asparagus so you can reap all of its health benefits. They say their vagina has a more pungent smell since they've gone keto. Onions make you cry, and they also make your urine stinky. Ketones are an extremely potent fuel source for your brain. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Vitamins dissolve either in fat or water before they are absorbed by your body. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. People born with this condition cant break down certain amino acids. 'I Lost 50 Lbs. The Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and focuses on balancing different types of energy within your body. So while plenty of people are sure the keto diet is the cause of their odorous vagina, no science yet supports this. However, it can often be hard to know whether youre in ketosis or not. If your toilet bowl smells like a fish market gone bad, it could be trimethylaminuria (try saying that three times fast, or just one time, slow). The use of acetone breath analyzers has been shown to be fairly accurate, though less accurate than the blood monitor method (10). The inability to smell this asparagus pee is an example of. It causes strong or sweet urine. Tell your doctor right away if you vomit, have trouble breathing, or feel confused. Odd smells along with feeling sick, pain, orbloody urine are a sign you should see your doctor. Heres how much water you really need to drink to stay hydrated. Here are the 6 best sweeteners for a keto diet. Some babies are born with a condition called tyrosinemia type 1. Scientists believe the odor in question is due to two chemicals: methanethiol and S-methyl thioester. MedTerms online medical dictionary provides quick access to hard-to-spell and often misspelled medical definitions through an extensive alphabetical listing. However, this particular side effect of eating asparagus doesnt happen to everyone, and some It turns out there are lots of things that affect the smell of your pee. Sarah Coseo Markt receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. 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. Some stones are made from cystine, a substance with sulfur in it. You may not have other symptoms. All rights reserved. Sick or elderly people with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible. 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.. The good news is that these vitamin-induced urine smells are harmless, so you can keep taking your daily vitamin supplements. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that youneed more fluids. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. "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. 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. On the other? 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. Some people say their pee smells like Cheerios, which might be a sweet smell that you should tell your doctor about. "Oh thank God I am not the only one with a stinky vajayjay. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. 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. (Also, definitely don't douche. Its primarily caused by the reduction in your muscles glycogen stores. Staying in the metabolic state of ketosis on a low carb keto diet requires reducing sugar consumption. 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. This article, Breakfast cereals boast impressive health claims, but many are high in sugar and refined carbs. When enzymes in the human digestive tract break down the asparagusic acid thats naturally present in the vegetable, these volatile compounds are created. You know what your pee should smell like -- you experience it anywhere from six to eight times a day -- so an unfamiliar scent might be a sign that something is awry; a warning message flowing from your body to the toilet. Theyll test your pee for ketones and help you manage your diabetes. 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. Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. According to one study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism in November 2016, these urine markers are highest in the morning and after dinner. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood. Any diet can change your vaginal pH, Dr. Shepherd says, which can then change the odor a bit. Here's what the keto flu is, why it happens. I'm drinking water like a fish and peeing like it's going out of style. What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. They might want to make sure nothing else is causing the odor. You know eating asparagus makes your pee smell weird. 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. That's because, like coffee, alcohol is a diuretic that makes the bacteria in urine more concentrated as you pee more and become dehydrated. Ultimately, if you are following the guidelines of a keto diet and staying consistent, you should be in some form of ketosis. 7 Ways To Keep Your Vagina Healthy As You Age. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. If your urine smells sweet, you feel unwell, or you have other symptoms along with foul-smelling urine, though, talk to your doctor. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. Liver disease can make your pee and breath smell musty. 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. Drinkinglots of water throughout the day can help with these smells and keep your urine clear. They work by forcing your body to burn fat for fuel instead of relying on glucose from carbs for energy. That's the odor you'll notice as the chemical leaves your body. Nearly two weeks before being People who use catheters and urine drainage bags may complain of a stinky urine odour in their bags. What To Know About Pilates And Weight Loss, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The release of ketones might also result in keto crotch, but it's never been researched. But that doesn't mean people aren't still experiencing some less-than-pleasant odors down there on the keto diet. If you're a parent and your kid's pee starts smelling extra syrupy, get it checked out, because untreated, it could lead to seizures, coma, and death. Those are chemicals your body makes when you burn fat, instead of glucose, for energy. 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." 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?. 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. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Its not dangerous at all. Does Garlic Actually Treat Yeast Infections? 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 start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. Despite the nutritional benefits of asparagus, many are opposed to eating the vegetable due to its pungent aftereffects. Here is everything you need to know about these. 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. Keto crotch sounds similar to the keto breath phenomenon. Foods. All rights reserved. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. Along with many other delights, springtime brings the beginning of the asparagus growing season. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. Just say you want their outrageous demand in writing. Experts think hormones may change your perception of smells. It's actually an inflammatory disease called prurigo pigmentosa thats often characterized by red, itchy bumps on the neck, back, and stomachand the keto diet can potentially trigger it. 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. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 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. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. In this day and age, urologists run blood tests, not taste tests, to check for diabetes. How To Prevent an Unpleasant Vaginal Odor, Keto Breath Is a Common Problem for Low-carb Dieters, Why Does Sex Have a Smell? Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These foods also produce methyl mercaptan, a gas that has a rotten cabbage odor and is released when peeing and breathing. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. They may give you antibiotics, special soap, or suggest eating certain foods. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. And that means that even if your pee is the same, it may seem like the odor is weird or more intense. When this happens, your liver starts producing high numbers of ketones to supply energy for your brain. But it can also be normal if eating this vegetable doesn't change the smell of your pee. If you feel full and dont need to eat as often as before, then you may be in ketosis. A lower proportion of women were able to detect the odor, compared to men, despite women being thought to have a more keen sense of smell. Brushing your teeth several times per day or using sugar-free gum can resolve the issue. The vagina, the urine, a lot of your body is supposed to have a certain type of acidity, says Brant. Let your vagina clean itself. The Ketogenic Diet is a low carbohydrate method of eating. Some people can smell the characteristic odor that asparagus gives to their urine, while others cannot. Atkins Vs. A keto diet can significantly reduce appetite and hunger. And prenatal vitamins might change the way your pee smells. Like Brussels sprouts, methyl mercaptan occurs naturally in the vegetable. These are chemicals that are naturally produced by your body. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for weight loss (4, 5). Like not a nasty infectious smell, just like a stronger natural smell? The Paleo Diet A Beginner's Guide Plus Meal Plan, What Is the Ayurvedic Diet? Not everybody, Louis. Thats why its always a good idea to remind kids to take bathroom breaks. Some of these issues should subside after the transition period, but it may be important to be mindful of different foods that may be causing digestive issues. I'm five weeks on keto and I work in a leasing office. 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. It's much stronger than 'musk' for me :/)," one Reddit user posted. 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.. 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. If its dark yellow or an amber colour, theyre probably not drinking enough water.. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. Testing blood ketone levels with a monitor is the most accurate way to determine whether youre in ketosis. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A 2016 study found that whether or not someone could smell asparagus pee is associated with a genetic variation near multiple olfactory receptor genes. 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. Fluids help water down, or dilute, your pee. Your genes affect whether you can You may lose a noticeable amount of weight as early as your first week on the keto diet. There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for the distinctive scent in your urine. 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. Maybe you can conduct your own survey at the next family meal that includes a platter of asparagus or soon after. Why Does the Keto Diet Cause ConstipationAnd How Can You Stop It? 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. If you swear that you've never smelled what's colloquially known as asparagus pee, it is because you lack the ability to recognize the stench. There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. And remember to be gentle when washing this sensitive area. 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. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. 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. When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. Some of the common ones are: Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, curry, and salmon. It can also cause stomach pain, throwing up, and feeling sick. She was previously an assistant editor at Health before moving over to Travel + Leisure as a social media editor. 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. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Samantha Lauriello is a social media strategist and editor. B vitamins can also make your pee look a bright greenish-yellow. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. While youre in there, you might get a whiff of something that doesnt smell good. 2. It has a strong odor that smells like urine or sweat. If you cant, thats called asparagus anosmia. Vegetables are good for your body, but dont be alarmed if they make your urine smell like rotten cabbage. This is when you begin to reap the benefits of a keto diet. Check the nutrition label for carbs if youre using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks. If you notice it's a common occurrence, definitely see your doctor. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. There are rare conditions that create a rotten smell, too. As you progress into a keto diet, youll start to burn fat and ketones as your main fuel sources. Thats called hyperosmia. Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. Weight loss. The ketone acetone is partly expelled via your breath. 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. It's best to avoid scented antibacterial soaps, which can affect the balance of natural bacteria in your vagina. 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. If anything, it's something to be aware of if you notice a change in pee smell with no other explanation. The main downside of this test method is that it requires pricking your finger to draw blood. This is great for weight loss, but not so great for your body odor. 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). Keto Crotch Is A Thing You Should Know About, The Real Difference Between Keto And Low-Carb. Well-known side effects can include weakness and fatigue (15). B vitamins in your multivitamin are often the culprit of smelly urine. You might also feel sick, have pain that comes and goes, and have bloody urine. As you pee, these aspargusic acid-turned sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to smell that distinctive asparagus pee scent. it is this increased ammonia This is a detailed beginner's guide to the paleo diet. There are 3 types of tyrosinemia, which cause problems breaking down theamino acid tyrosine. Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that youre alittle dehydrated. If you're on the keto diet and develop a rash, dont just blame it on the diet, she says. Asparagus pee is something that cannot be controlled by anyone. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. 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). UPDATE: For everyone saying asparagus, I just checked my food diary and I last ate asparagus on October 13th. Just like how going super low-carb makes your breath reek, it can do the same to your pee. Its part of the flora bacterial environment.. One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. But theres no particular reason the keto diet would cause you to break out only around your crotchat least, none that the scientific community has found a direct link to, says Christine Greves, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.