All vaginas — including healthy ones — have a mild odor. Your vaginal scent can change in response to sex, menstruation, pregnancy, etc. However, a strong, unpleasant vaginal odor with a discharge may be a sign of a health problem like vaginitis.
Tangy, fermented, or sour.
These are perfectly healthy adjectives to describe the vaginal odor created by your normal bacterial flora. Good bacteria help keep your vagina healthy by producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and other substances to keep harmful bacteria at bay.
Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of bacteria typically present in the vagina. It's a common vaginal condition that can cause vaginal odor. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, also can lead to vaginal odor. A yeast infection usually doesn't cause vaginal odor.
Improper hygiene can sometimes cause a build-up of shedding skin cells, oils and moisture that collects around the clitoris or folds of the labia, called smegma. That said, if a vulva smells really bad, fishy or yeasty it's a great idea to make an appointment with a health care provider!
In most cases, vaginal scents are very normal, and odor alone is not a symptom of a problem. The vagina and the area around it (groin skin, vulvar, etc.) contain healthy bacteria that are a part of our microbiome and include sweat glands. These can produce an odor that varies for each person.
Vaginal odor can be caused by diet, sweating, menstruation, or pregnancy. It can sometimes also be caused by infections like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
However, when the vagina has a strong, unpleasant smell that continues for days, it may be a sign of a health problem. Common causes of abnormal vaginal odors include: Bacterial vaginosis, an infection caused by bacterial overgrowth. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite.
Many women become concerned that other people can detect the odor around their vulva and vagina. In reality, women are most sensitive to their own odor, and it's very unlikely that others who don't have intimate contact with them can smell it.
Groin sweat contains fatty acids and proteins which feed bacteria. As the bacteria break down the nutrients in groin sweat, foul-smelling acids are left behind.
Pungent “Fishy” Smell
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of the growth of anaerobic bacteria that can cause a rotting fish smell. Or, trichomoniasis, the most common curable STI, could be the cause of this smell. Either way, a very stinky rotting fish smell is not normal – see your gyno right away!
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.
In fact, the best way to stay clean is to take daily showers or baths using warm water and soap, making sure to wash in between the folds or creases of your skin and pubic hair, and completely drying the area before putting on clean, breathable underwear.
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.
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is an uncommon condition that causes an unpleasant, fishy smell. It's also called "fish odour syndrome". Sometimes it's caused by faulty genes that a person inherits from their parents, but this isn't always the case. There's currently no cure, but there are things that can help.
Clear and stretchy — This is “fertile” mucous and means you're ovulating. Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising. Yellow or green — May indicate an infection, especially if it's thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.
Symptoms of either a vaginal infection or vaginitis may include vaginal discharge, itching, burning, pain, and a strong odor. While some vaginal infections are caused by sexually transmitted infections, other very common ones are not.
Diagnosis of BV requires a vaginal exam by a qualified healthcare provider and the laboratory testing of fluid collected from the vagina. An examination to diagnose BV is similar to a regular gynecological checkup.
If you are outside the reproductive years, if you are pregnant, if you have a new sexual partner, and if you have pain or if the problem doesn't go away, you should see a doctor. Also, yeast infections and skin conditions caused by allergic conditions, or your clothes, or soap don't have an odor.