Smegma - #18653

I’ve noticed something a little unusual that’s been bothering me recently, and I’m hoping someone can shed some light on it. I’ve been noticing that there’s a build-up of a substance around my genital area, especially in the folds. It doesn’t have a particularly pleasant smell, and I’ve tried washing it off, but it keeps coming back. After some research, I found out that this might be smegma, but I’m still not entirely sure if that’s what it is. Is it normal to have smegma? Or should I be concerned? I didn’t even know that smegma was a thing until I started noticing the build-up. From what I’ve read, it seems like it’s made up of dead skin cells, oils, and other bodily fluids that accumulate if not properly cleaned. But I’m really unsure about how to manage it. I’ve read conflicting information online – some say that it's normal, while others suggest that it could lead to infections or other health issues if not treated. I’ve also read that smegma is more common in men, particularly if they have not been circumcised, but I’m wondering if it could apply to women as well. I don’t have any serious discomfort or pain, but it’s starting to make me feel self-conscious. Is it just a hygiene issue, or could there be something else going on that I’m unaware of? How often should I be cleaning the area to prevent smegma build-up, and is there a particular cleaning method I should follow? I’ve been using soap and water, but should I avoid certain types of soaps? And if I do have smegma, is there any risk of infection or other problems, like inflammation or irritation? I’d also like to know if smegma can affect sexual health or cause other complications. If I’ve been dealing with this for a while, could it affect fertility or lead to other long-term health issues?