Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and dehydration can sometimes cause urine to smell, which can in turn create an odor (sometimes likened to the smell of bleach or ammonia) in the vaginal area.
Dehydration can also cause or aggravate the fishy smell in your urine. When you're dehydrated, there's less water to dilute the concentrations of chemicals. This will give your urine a stronger smell.
“Yeast and bacterial infections occur when there is a disruption of the normal pH balance caused by dehydrated skin in and around the inside of the vagina,” Dr Ross explains.
Your vaginal discharge may smell slightly metallic — like copper pennies — when you're menstruating. This is because period blood contains iron. A vagina that smells like ammonia may be a sign that there's urine residue on your genitals (vulva) or that you're dehydrated.
Foul-Smelling Urine: Dehydration
“You always have a certain amount of ammonia in your urine. When you have more water, the ammonia is diluted, and it smells less intense. Whereas with dehydration, the concentration of ammonia is going to be higher and the smell would be stronger,” Dr. Kaaki says.
Achieving pH Balance
Most foods that are processed are acidic with a pH level of lower that 6.9. Drinking lots of clean, pure water is a good way to restore your pH balance. It is also a good idea to introduce more whole plants food into your diet that are cooked at home.
Fluid loss
Losing too much water from your body can increase blood pH. This happens because you also lose some blood electrolytes — salts and minerals — with water loss. These include sodium and potassium.
The acid/base connection
When your electrolyte levels are out of balance due to dehydration, you experience an acid/base (pH) imbalance. Specifically, your pH levels decrease, creating metabolic acidosis. Symptoms include confusion, fatigue, headache and increased heart rate.
If the problem that caused dehydration is resolved and the person gets the right amount of fluid, mild to moderate dehydration can resolve in less than a day. Severe dehydration or dehydration of long duration should be treated by doctors in a hospital and typically takes 2 to 3 days to resolve with proper treatment.
Lemon juice may have an alkalizing effect on your urine. However, contrary to the premise of the Alkaline Diet, it has very little influence on the pH of your blood.
When your pH is unhealthy, the key signs are odor and itch. “You can tell if your pH is off by vaginal symptoms of itch or odor. Itching and burning and a feeling of swelling usually means yeast,” Sophocles says. “Strong fishy odor with grey white watery discharge is usually Bacterial Vaginosis.”
You've probably heard that drinking cranberry juice reduces your chances of developing urinary tract infections, but it also wards off vaginal infections. Compounds in cranberries could balance the vagina's pH level, and its acidic property helps fight bacteria that cause infections.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
Medium-dark yellow urine is often an indication that you are dehydrated. Drink 2-3 glasses of water now.
Water is your best bet for everyday hydration, since it is free of sugar, calories, and caffeine. All of your daily food and beverages contribute to your daily fluid needs.
feeling thirsty. dark yellow, strong-smelling pee. peeing less often than usual. feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
So, what if you drink loads of water each day but are still feeling thirsty and dehydrated? It can be a sign that something else is going on. Factors like your medication, how much you sweat and if you're sick can affect your levels of hydration.
Rehydrating Your Body
It's recommended to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. You can also receive the water you need from other beverages, fruits, and vegetables. Drinking coffee and tea in moderation can help contribute to hydration. Caffeine, however, can be extremely dehydrating.
As a mild acid, ACV may also help restore the natural pH balance of your skin. This helps your skin keep moisture in and irritants out.