If you haven’t heard of the keto diet by now, then you’ve most likely been living under a rock. For the last year or so, the keto diet has been one of the most popular and one of the most divisive diets out there. Many people, including loads of celebrities, rave about the way the diet has made them feel more energized, helped them lose weight, and gotten them into the best shape of their lives. The keto diet is basically a very low-carb and high-fat diet similar to something like Atkins, and while it actually does seem to work for many, it also has its own important cons to think about.
For one thing, many nutritionists and health experts aren’t on board with keto, since they feel that it’s not healthy to completely cut out one food group (carbohydrates) and rely almost entirely on another.
For another thing, the keto diet has been shown to come with some, uh, interesting side effects. And no, we don’t just mean weight loss and a little extra energy (if only). Instead, there is something called the “keto crotch,” which is the latest symptom of the diet you absolutely need to know about.
So, what is “keto crotch?”
The term basically means that your genitals smell, um, kind of funky.
Which isn’t exactly ideal!
How does that even happen?
It comes down to ketosis, which is when your body breaks down fat for fuel instead of carbs (which is what you want). According to Delish, when your body is in ketosis, it produces ketones (chemicals like acetone, for one). While these chemicals are naturally produced by your body, ketosis makes you produce more of them.
And when there’s too many, they can make your poop, pee, and breath smell more intense.
There could be a different explanation as well.
Jessica Shepherd, MD, a minimally invasive gynecologist in Dallas and founder of Her Viewpoint, told Delish that what is probably happening is that the keto diet is changing your vaginal pH, which changes your vaginal odor.
And “keto crotch” isn’t limited to just the keto diet, either.
Keto crotch. Keto breath. Dayuuummm! You’ve gotten sooo skinny! Now stay away from me. LOL 🙅🏻♂️
— 🇺🇸 Major 🇺🇸 (@MAJJimR) February 24, 2019
Shepherd said, “Any diet can change your vaginal pH.”
Basically, changing the way you eat can mess with your parts down there.
How can you fight keto crotch if you notice you have it?
Dr. Shepherd says that, first of all, if you notice a weird odor down there after going keto, give it a few days to see if it goes away. It might disappear on its own!
But if it lingers and gets worse, go to the doctor… it could be an unrelated infection.
A lot of people on Twitter, though, are using this as another reason not to go on keto.
Ok, why do people do this again?
— Jodi (@APLMom) February 24, 2019
https://t.co/DMJohc75QI
One Twitter user said this is another reason to eat a plant-based diet. Interesting!
But a few people don’t believe it at all. Like this person:
It’s not the diet. I’m thinking they may another problem.
— kelly ⚜️ (@nerfherder73) February 24, 2019
Oh, and some good news: it’s not scientifically proven that keto crotch is a thing. So, don’t freak out just yet.
That said, this isn’t the first time the keto diet has been said to cause weird side effects.
Another consequence of ketosis is keto breath, which is essentially the same thing. It just means your breath smells bad.
Enough with this keto diet... why do you want your breath to smell like nail polish remover???
— Annika Altura (@alturnator) February 22, 2019
There’s also the keto flu.
According to Healthline, the keto flu can happen when your body starts adapting to a new lifestyle of very little carbs, and can feel similar to the actual flu.
This is because “reducing your carb intake forces your body to burn ketones for energy instead of glucose.”
I think I have the keto flu. I feel like I’m dying. 😥
— 𝒥𝓊𝓃𝒾𝓅𝑒𝓇 🌻 (@sunshineskies7) January 31, 2019
Oh, and you can’t forget keto diarrhea.
According to Everyday Health, if fat doesn’t get broken down correctly in your small intestine, it can activate bacteria that causes gas, bloating, and fat in the stool, causing diarrhea. Fun!
On the flip side, there’s keto constipation.
It’s a common issue because keto can result in a lack of fiber, which can cause constipation.
It looks like there’s a lot to think about before you decide to go to keto.
The more you know!
