Why Personal Hygiene for Men Is Important: 3 Reasons

By Albert Howard

Go back to primary school for a minute. From the beginning, good hygiene habits were a topic that teachers drummed into us. They taught us about brushing our teeth, washing hands, bathing, and wearing clean clothes. 

As we grew a little older, the scope of personal hygiene expanded to include the sexual organs. Both girls and boys learn how to wipe well after using the toilet. There is even a technique of wiping front to back for girls. 

We also learned how to line toilet seats before using them. It was an important lesson because it is possible to catch UTIs, yeast infections, or sexually transmitted diseases like genital herpes. 

As early as the 1880s, Louis Pasteur, a French scientist, discovered a link between disease transmission and microbes. Thus came the spread of messages on washing hands. 

Our article explores three reasons men should place great importance on personal hygiene.  

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  1. Personal Hygiene Will Boost Intimacy

Imagine trying to be intimate with someone who has not showered for days. When they disrobe, the pungent cloying smell that hits you makes you gag. It is a safe bet to say that watching a movie would be a better option at that point. 

And the same applies to the privates. Like any other part of the body, genitals need to be clean. Yes, that applies to men as well. True, there is a vast difference between men and women in terms of anatomical structure. But, that does not negate the fact that you must keep your privates clean with the same frequency. 

Do the following as part of your sexual personal hygiene. 

  • Keep the privates dry at all times. Moisture is a fantastic breeding ground for fungal or yeast infections.
  • Practice safe sexual practices like using condoms with partners you do not know well. Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), is an STI. A major symptom is painful, fluid-filled blisters.There will also be pain and itching of the genitals. 

Like in the case of yeast infection, you can buy genital herpes cream over the counter. There is options of natural treatment for herpes that is availablein the  form of oinments. Such use of organic or natural ingredients infused medicines provides an effective way to stop itching and further symptoms of herpes down there.

  • Teach yourself how to wash your genitals.   
  • Learn how to identify such infections. You will, for example, experience intense burning or itching on the foreskin and penis tip. There could be discharge, swelling, and sores as well. You can find soothing cream for yeast infection as an over-the-counter medication.
  • Don’t stifle your private area with tight clothing. Allow for breathing space and air movement to avoid moisture buildup from, say, sweating. 
  • Clean up after physical activities like exercising. It helps keep the privates clean and dry. 

2. Better Health with Good Hygiene

The best way to stay healthy is to keep disease-causing organisms at bay. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses are the culprits behind many illnesses. Yet, it is impossible to avoid them because they are everywhere. Some cling to your body every time you touch a doorknob, surface, or use the restroom.  

You must keep up with the personal hygiene routines your teachers drummed into you during the formative years. Bath, wash your hands, and brush your teeth. Further, keep your surroundings clean, and do the same for clothing, towels, and beddings. Do you know as staggerin 1 million deaths per year are preventable through washing hands?

As a man, you may take part in many physical activities. That means you may have scrapes, bruises, and wounds. Those are other entry points for disease-causing pathogens into the body. Treat injuries well and keep up with good hygiene to stay disease-free. 

You may not even consider how dangerous some of your routine practices can be. Do you, for instance, shower immediately after an intense gym session? Well, if you wait till you get home, it is time to stop doing that. 

The tight gym clothes trap sweat. We already touched on genital infections above due to moisture. Your sweat-filled socks can give you athletes’ foot or fungal nail infections. The inflammation, pain, and discomfort plus the hassle of seeking treatment will be such an inconvenience. 

The question for most people is how often should you bathe? With washing hands, the answer is easy to give. Wash before eating, handling food, when you get into the house, after using the toilet, etc.

But the answer varies quite a bit with bathing. The standard should be at least once a day. Others feel that twice or thrice a week is enough. Factor in your lifestyle when making that decision.  

3. Good Personal Hygiene Boosts Confidence

Think about it. Don’t you get a boost of confidence when you step out of the house dressed well, smelling and looking good? Go ahead, admit it. Don’t you hold up your head a little higher and saunter with a lot more swagger?

What you may not know is that there is a psychology at work here. There is a direct association between looking good and feeling good. Good hygiene will boost your mood and enhance social interaction. 

And, it doesn’t stop there. People around you will also respond positively. No one wants to hang around a dirty, unkempt individual. Before long, you will notice people start to avoid your company. 

Over time, it could have a profound impact on your self-esteem. Your work and social life will take a huge hit. 

Dental health should also be a priority. The dentist’s chair is not one many people look forward to sitting on. Not only is the process very uncomfortable, but it can get quite expensive. 

Poor dental hygiene will result in gum disease. You can, at a very young age, lose all your teeth. We don’t need to go into how that would be a massive blow to your self-esteem. 

And, you must know how unpleasant bad oral breath is. Keep up with brushing your pearly whites at least twice a day. It is interesting that 42% of Americans don’t visit dentists as often as they should. Yet, 85% believe oral health is of critical importance. Schedule bi-annual or annual dental visits for a checkup and cleaning.  

Final Thoughts

You may not remember algebra or how to dissect a frog from your math or science classes. But, basic hygiene lessons are things you have applied every single day of your life. Like women, men have to pay as much attention to their hygiene. 

We have looked at three key reasons why it is crucial. All you need to do is develop and stick to a personal hygiene regime. You will see benefits to your mental, physical and emotional health. 

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