Vaginal Odor: 11 Reasons Your Vagina Smells a Little…Off

Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Different scents mean different things, but a fishlike odor is a common scent to be on the lookout for, because it can signal bacterial vaginosis or the sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis. This is even more important for uncircumcised boys, who have a higher rate of penile infections from improper hygiene. Guys who have diabetes or are on antibiotics for a long time are more prone to this infection. This often causes itching, irritation and a change in the texture of your vaginal discharge, but not a change in odor.

However, sometimes the number of candida increases. Vaginal yeast infections, have you been drinking? This article appears courtesy of Mosaic Science. Don’t wait, check out all of our at home STD tests. But in some cases it can lead to serious problems.

• You usually get heavier discharge during pregnancy, if you're sexually active or if you're using birth control.
• You're ovulating.
• You can actually smell your pee.
• Pills high in vitamin B6, including some multivitamins, heart, and pregnancy medications.

You could also have an infection without any symptoms. The doctors told me to change my detergent and use sensitive soap. For many women though, the smell is the only symptom.

The discharge is thicker when you ovulate (when one of your ovaries releases an egg), when you breastfeed, or when you’re sexually excited. If the infection does not get better or comes back soon, you should see your doctor to make sure of the diagnosis and treatment. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

If treatment is necessary, your doctor likely will prescribe antibiotics either in pill form or a vaginal gel or ointment.

Your Vagina Smells Like Onions or Garlic

And, no, that scent probably won't be a field of wildflowers. This means you may as well flip a coin to determine whether or not your doctor will give you an accurate diagnosis. Got a yeast infection? try these easy home remedies, ask your health care provider about safe and effective treatments. Yeast infections can be very irritating and uncomfortable.

Vaginal symptoms are among the most common reasons that women consult primary care physicians. Some research has linked high-salt diets with stomach ulcers and infections, and an excess of salt can also keep you dehydrated because sodium draws water out of your cells and into your blood (in an effort to dilute the salt in your blood). It's important to see a doctor for your diagnosis because if you actually have another type of infection, it could get worse if not properly treated.

A bit of proactive penile hygiene, along with seeing a doctor earlier could have kept this case from going so far. Causes of vaginal odor are a forgotten tampon left in the vagina or not showering or bathing regularly. It happens to all of us at one time or another. Other strategies include: (100,000 women). This is normal. Frequently asked questions about vaginal health and monistat, yeast infections can be very irritating and uncomfortable. Proper feminine hygiene primarily entails changing your innerwear daily and keeping your vagina free of excessive sweat or moisture. The vaginal skin is extremely sensitive and can react negatively to chemical-laden feminine hygiene products.

This scent will vary by person and may be described as fleshy or musky.

Most Often, It’s Day-to-day Odor Causing Any Smell Down There

Although bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), having multiple sexual partners can affect the bacterial balance of the vagina, potentially causing bacterial vaginosis. If you have symptoms of vaginitis, see your healthcare provider for a correct diagnosis. O'Connor says. They can cause redness and irritation on your penis or scrotum. As you’ve probably noticed, a sweaty groin is a smelly one. Yeast infections are not sexually transmitted and, although they are sometimes associated with sex, some women are prone to them for other reasons. Other causes include:

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But even if you haven't put in hours cataloging your own vaginal smells, there are still times when you can tell that your vagina smells a bit off. Women's health, if your symptoms are severe, then they may require up to two weeks clearing away. The treatment for vaginal infections depends on the cause. Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. When your heart says one thing but your vagina says another, it’s a recipe for unwanted interruptions.

Don't

Experts aren’t sure what causes BV or how some people get it, but they do know that it usually occurs in people with vaginas who are sexually active. Generally, if you have vaginal odor without other vaginal symptoms, it's unlikely that your vaginal odor is abnormal. In rare instances, toxic shock syndrome (TSS) can result from bacteria entering the bloodstream, which can be life-threatening. One study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology showed that only 34 percent of study participants who purchased OTC antifungal products accurately diagnosed themselves with a yeast infection. “Genital Malodor in Women: The intensity of vaginal odor can vary during the course of the menstrual cycle.

What To Think About

“Education is key, because BV can cause a lot of emotional and psychological distress,” says Ob/Gyn and infectious disease specialist Oluwatosin Goje, MD – like making you feel sexually undesirable or self-conscious, for instance. Vaginitis, tss, and other genitourinary tract infections, routine chlamydia screening is recommended by the CDC annually for sexually active females aged 24 and younger, and also at any age if you have multiple sexual partners, or are at risk. The treatment for male and female yeast infections are essentially the same. In a worst-case scenario, this can lead to an extremely rare, but potentially deadly, condition called Toxic Shock Syndrome. Never use strong soap or try to clean inside the vagina. Yeast also can grow a lot if a girl's blood sugar is high.

Exams and Tests

Yes, men get yeast infections too. Yet, if you already have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (or even gestational diabetes, which can happen when you’re pregnant) and then start having sweet smelling urine, it’s a sign that you’re not handling your disease well, according to the U. These condoms cover the inside of your vagina during intercourse. If an infection is present, there will be a vaginal smell that is strongest after sexual intercourse, and perhaps an increased amount of thin vaginal discharge, which may be white or discolored. If you have sex less than 24 hours before the exam, use condoms. Your vagina can also turn unusually smelly in the wake of cervical cancer. Yeast infections: medlineplus, if you use a cream or suppository to treat the infection, don't depend on a condom or diaphragm for birth control. Fungal spondylodiscitis: review, occasionally epidural abscesses can be drained with the help of interventional radiology, and some sources suggest this to be an acceptable adjunct to antibiotic therapy. Can having multiple sexual partners cause vaginal odor?

That often occurs after taking antibiotics that kill bacteria, which allows the yeast to grow without competition from the “good” bacteria that normally keep them in check. Menopause is followed by a natural decline in the production of female hormones including estrogen. There’s a higher likelihood the actual issue is coming from regular, day-to-day odor that’s external and not an internal, vaginal infection. Everyone’s urine smells when eating asparagus. It is believed 14 to 18 percent of men carry yeast on their penises, much of it unnoticed, untreated, or generally asymptomatic. 7 symptoms of candida overgrowth (plus how to get rid of it). These causes of vaginal infection can usually be easily diagnosed by your doctor in the office using simple techniques. Nonprescription management of vulvovaginal candidiasis, you can also develop one without sexual activity. Symptoms include the aforementioned fishy smell, itching on and discharge from genitals, and pain while urinating — though 70% of cases don't have any symptoms. The vaginal walls and uterine cervix contain glands that produce a small amount of fluid that helps to keep the vagina clean.

Healthy Eating

Plus, messing up that delicate environment could actually double your risk of ovarian cancer. This condition is characterized by the deficiency of a certain enzyme that conversely triggers the excessive release of a rancid-smelling compound called trimethylamine in the urine, breath, sweat, and vaginal fluids. Although fairly prevalent in both men and women, this infection is usually hard to detect as it does not present any typical symptoms. Keeping the area clean and dry may help prevent an infection, but if symptoms do show up, a doctor can treat the infection. Before we begin, let's get one thing out of the way first: May women do experience frequent infections that occur right after their periods. HuffPost is part of Verizon Media. Perhaps there's a smell that's a little, well, funkier, than usual.

Kaaki says a lot of factors impact your ability to stay hydrated, including size, weight, medical conditions, kidney function, daily activity level and heat and humidity of the day.

Vaginal Odour

Can consuming some food items lead to vaginal odor? A number of different infections can cause a change in the amount, consistency, color, or odor of vaginal discharge. Be sure to speak to your doctor if you notice a fishy odor during or after your pregnancy. They sometimes occur in times of stress or other illness. Q&a: what to know about the drug-resistant fungus, candida auris. “Some women, early in pregnancy, might have more sickness or vomiting or they are having diarrhea, so they become dehydrated. It is accompanied by other alarming symptoms, such as vaginal itching, pain, soreness, bleeding, and increased vaginal discharge. Have more than one sex partner or have a new sex partner.

It is not recommended to use perfume to mask the smell. It's easy to confuse the symptoms of a yeast infection with those of some STDs and other vaginal infections. Once the period begins, the menstrual blood and the inner lining of the womb combine with the vaginal bacteria to produce a distinct smell. The good types help control the growth of the bad types. That said, certain vaginal odors can indicate things like infections, especially if they come with a side of discharge that's a different color, consistency, or amount than what you're used to, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Your vaginal discharge smells like fish. There is a wide variety of vaginal douches available commercially that come in the form of prepackaged liquids. The smell is usually caused by old blood, which has a bad scent when it oxidizes, Dr.

But don’t pat yourself on the back if you look into the toilet and don’t see a bit of yellow—totally clear urine means you’ve over-hydrated (yes, that’s a thing). In this article, we explore strategies for reducing vaginal odor safely and addressing any underlying medical concerns. Hassan, Sarmina, et al.

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We want to hear what you think about this article. What's not normal is when the scents you're accustomed to start to change. According to the Mayo Clinic, yeast infections don't give off any scent at all most of the time, and so you'll have to recognize them from their other symptoms (like the dreaded thick white discharge and itchiness). These are just a few of many hygienic tips to improve vaginal odor. If you have vaginal discharge that doesn’t seem normal for you (with or without other symptoms), talk to your healthcare professional. So in pregnant women, doctors typically recommend treating the infection even when it’s not causing symptoms, Dr. However, an overwhelming majority of doctors advise against this seemingly harmless cleaning method. But it can occur if you are not sexually active as well.

Douching and the use of scented vaginal hygiene products such as deodorants, powders, and gels can irritate or damage the vaginal lining and invite infections. What causes bacterial vaginosis? Because your body doesn’t process sugar the same way others’ do, you may also have “fruity” or sweet-smelling urine, thanks to the extra sugar being excreted by your kidneys. Yeast infections are most often due to the fungus Candida albicans. Therefore, if the smell of your vagina has changed or become unpleasant, or if you have a change in your vaginal discharge, it's a good idea to call your doctor. In fact, odor happens in this same way all over the body (Bacteria + bodily fluids = odor).

Yes, baking soda soaks are oftentimes helpful. Share on Pinterest A mild, musky smell is normal for a healthy vagina. This is the most common vaginal infection among females aged 15–44 years. Bacterial vaginosis (usually just known as BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15 to 44, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in your vagina. Maybe you assumed the stench was the faint yet unpleasant odor that lingers in office bathrooms.

Forgotten Tampon

What if I am pregnant? Feminine odour is something all women deal with. If you can, safely remove the tampon as soon as possible. Probiotics for vulvovaginal candidiasis in non‐pregnant women, alcoholic drinks especially wine can contribute to yeast infections. When you sweat, especially while exercising, your sweat glands in your groin secrete an oily fluid that's metabolised by bacteria on your skin. These types of products can cause an allergic reaction, and/or irritation, and removes the good bacteria that are normally present.

Does Douching Help In Getting Rid Of Vaginal Odor?

However, because antibiotics can cause stomach upset and other side effects, your doctor may recommend against treatment unless symptoms are bothersome. If something changes the balance of the normal organisms found in the vagina, it can cause an overgrowth of the yeast and, subsequently, an infection. But some experts believe that in some cases, your yeastified bits might emit a faint odor, one that can smell slightly yeasty. Not drinking enough water. They tend to get worse over time, and some women may notice a discharge that resembles cottage cheese.

Normally, there are a lot of "good" bacteria and some "bad" bacteria in the vagina. If you’ve heard some people say their pee doesn’t smell after eating asparagus, Dr. Fungal infections, it is a good idea to test for allergies to oil of oregano on the forearm before use. What are the symptoms of a yeast infection?, however, other types of yeasts can also be responsible. Signs that you might have it include a fishy odor, as well as a thin white or gray discharge and a burning sensation while urinating or having intercourse.

Don't use vaginal sprays 24 hours before your exam. Limit the number of your sex partners. In fact, don't be shy about booking an appointment with your doc about any of these issues.