Rotten egg odor in hot water is a common concern here.

The most common fix recommended is to change the sacrificial anode for a different material. The rationale for doing so is less than detailed, but some of the sources are official or semiofficial.

The second most common fix recommended is to sterilize the water heater and/or parts of the system with bleach.

The anode providers usually include a caveat that if any of the old rod falls off the problem will remain. The bleach fans say you'll probably have to repeat after a few months.

What I want to know is did anyone try either one and succeed? (and I mean the odor go away, not just I bought an expensive anode/bleachinjector/carbon filter and it's a little better)