In addition, menopausal women may be more prone to bacterial vaginosis, which is a common vaginal infection that can cause a fishy odour.
Estrogen levels plummet during menopause, which causes Lactobacillus (protective bacteria) levels to decrease. This can allow harmful, anaerobic microbes, that produce “smelly” molecules, to thrive within the vaginal microbiome.
The most common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor are: Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection that's caused by an imbalance in your vagina's flora. BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex.
Vinegar: Vinegar or apple cider vinegar is yet another potent remedy to eliminate vaginal odour. Vinegar helps to rid of the toxins that cause the fishy vaginal odour. All you need is 1 cup of vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Add vinegar to your bathtub with water and let it soak in for 20 minutes.
However there can be a heightened sense of smell in the menopause, and so the odour you can detect may not be anything that anyone else would notice!
A drop in oestrogen levels in the menopause can leave some women with relatively more male hormone (testosterone). This can cause them to have more bacteria in their sweat, and that sweat may smell more. It's also why acne and skin changes can become an issue in the menopause.
A strong fishy smell that won't go away is worth seeing a health care provider about. Fishy smells are associated with a type of vaginitis called bacterial vaginosis. Health care providers can prescribe medications to treat it.
'The vagina has a natural bacterial flora that's there to keep a good balance,' explains Dr Rosén. It's because of this natural bacteria that the cervical mucus in the vagina always has a smell. You may also experience changes throughout your menstrual cycle as the pH balance in your vagina changes.
At times, BV will go away without treatment. However, treatment can help avoid the increased chance of some serious health risks associated with BV, including: Getting or transmitting HIV; Delivering your baby too early if you have BV while pregnant; and.
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
This discharge will usually be white or grey, thin or watery and have a strong, unpleasant fishy smell. This can be more noticeable during and after sex, and during periods.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection that happens when some normal bacteria that live in your vagina overgrow, causing a bacterial imbalance. Symptoms include an off-white or gray vaginal discharge that smells “fishy.” BV is easily treatable with antibiotics from a healthcare provider.
When you're in postmenopause, your menstrual period has been gone for longer than 12 consecutive months. At this stage in life, your reproductive years are behind you and you're no longer ovulating (releasing eggs). The menopausal symptoms you've experienced in the past may become milder or go away completely.
It's normal to smell “down there,” even right after bathing. Your vagina resides in a warm, dark place loaded with lymph nodes and glands. It has its own delicately balanced ecosystem, complete with its own unique, odor-producing bacterial flora.
BV causes thin discharge with a fishy odor, while a yeast infection causes discharge that is thick and odorless. Doctors typically recommend antibiotic medications to treat BV and antifungal medications to treat yeast infections.
Hydrogen peroxide. Two small studies suggest using hydrogen peroxide solution as a vaginal wash may help clear up vaginal odor, improve discharge, and restore vaginal pH in patients with BV.
Yes, changes in hormones can cause your body odor to smell. Hot flashes, night sweats and hormonal fluctuations experienced during menopause cause excessive sweating, which leads to changes in body odor. Some people believe their body odor changes when they're pregnant or menstruating.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when there's an imbalance in the normal bacteria that usually populates the vagina. And while a hormonal imbalance is not typically the primary cause of BV, normal hormonal changes (like those we experience during our period, pregnancy or perimenopause) can be a factor in getting BV.
Believe it or not, but zinc and magnesium help us smell good, so it's vital you get enough in your diet. Zinc is found in whole grains, beans and chickpeas, as well as red meat and chicken, while magnesium is in leafy greens, nuts and fish. If you're worried about not getting enough, consider trying a supplement.