Men are leaving themselves at risk of painful penis infections by neglecting a simple bathroom habit, experts warn.
The alert comes after a wave of viral videos debating whether men should use toilet paper after urinating.
In one clip, viewed more than 3.3 million times on Instagram, men’s lifestyle creator Chris Petrone urged followers to ‘dab the tip after weeing’ after reacting to videos of shocked women who had ‘just found out men don’t wipe’.
The trend is not an outlier. More than a third of men admit they never wipe after urinating, according to YouGov polling.
As well as being unhygienic and causing odour, doctors say skipping the step can increase the risk of infections.
Professor Christopher Bunker, a consultant dermatologist specialising in male genital dermatology, said: ‘The best advice for men when urinating is to pass urine with the foreskin fully retracted, empty the bladder, then gently squeeze the penis a few times to expel any remaining urine.
‘After that, dry the area with dry toilet tissue – not wet wipes. Wet wipes contain chemicals that many men can become allergic to, particularly on such sensitive skin.’
Experts say failing to do this can lead to a range of problems.
Over a third of men never wipe after urinating, according to YouGov polling, and men’s health specialists say that this can lead to a harmful build up of bacteria
‘We now have strong evidence that retained urine on the penis is a cause of lichen sclerosus, thrush, dysuria, tightening of the foreskin, and even penile cancer,’ Professor Bunker added.
Men’s health specialists warn that residual urine can create a warm, damp environment under the foreskin, allowing bacteria and yeast to thrive.
One of the most common conditions linked to this is balanitis – inflammation of the head of the penis – which affects an estimated three to 11 per cent of men and is more common in those who are uncircumcised.
Dr Jeff Foster, a GP specialising in men’s health, said: ‘Failure to expel the last part of your urine can result in a small build-up under the foreskin, leading to balanitis, which is effectively an infection.’
While not wiping or dabbing dry is not always the direct cause, experts say it can significantly increase the risk.
Balanitis is typically driven by a combination of moisture, irritation and microbial overgrowth, with sweat and residual urine all contributing to the problem.
Men who suffer from post-micturition dribbling (PMD) are particularly vulnerable.
The condition – which refers to involuntary leakage of urine after finishing – is more common in men over 50, with studies suggesting up to 63 per cent are affected. One major cause is a weakened pelvic floor.
However, experts say poor technique is often to blame.
‘The reality is that the male urinary system isn’t perfect – we don’t have a ‘tap’ that completely shuts off at the end,’ said Professor Bunker.
‘There is often some residual leakage, even in men who think they are being careful. Many men have simply never been taught the correct technique.
‘Some are told not to retract the foreskin at all – they just urinate and assume everything has come out. A lot of men are surprised to learn that it is not normal to be unable to retract the foreskin. But they’ve never been told by their parents, their GP, or anyone else.’
In rare cases, the build-up of bacteria may contribute to urinary tract infections.
‘In theory, bacteria could track up the urethra and cause a UTI, but this is extremely rare – I’ve only seen it a handful of times in over 20 years,’ said Dr Foster.
If balanitis is left untreated, it can develop into a chronic condition called lichen sclerosus.
This can cause itching, burning and soreness, particularly during or after sex. The foreskin may tighten, leading to painful erections, and the skin can tear or bleed. In some cases, it can also affect the flow of urine.
Treatment options include circumcision and strong steroid creams, though these are not always effective.
The British Association of Dermatologists recommends drying the penis after urination to reduce risk.
The condition is rare – affecting an estimated 0.07 per cent of men – but experts say awareness is crucial.
‘If the condition is diagnosed early enough, and patients are given the right advice to prevent and switch off inflammation, many people can go into remission and stay there – as long as they maintain these habits for life,’ said Professor Bunker. ‘It’s a very, very nasty disease.’
