Why does my BV smell so bad?

The most common cause of abnormal vaginal odor is high levels of Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria, which cause the fishy smell associated with BV. As part of the diagnosis, your provider may also: Take a medical history and ask about your symptoms. Perform a vaginal exam.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

How can I fix the smell of BV?

Vaginal boric acid suppositories such as Intimate Rose Boric Balance, are often used as part of a treatment regimen for BV and recurrent vaginal yeast infections. They can also help restore a healthy vaginal pH, eliminate vaginal odor, and inhibit the development of infection.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on intimaterose.com

What does BV usually smell like?

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 does not usually cause itching or irritation.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhsinform.scot

What does chronic BV smell like?

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include: an unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex. a change to the colour and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

Can BV make you smell rotten?

Your vagina, by nature, has a slight smell. But a strong odor – one that many women describe as “fishy” – could be a sign of infection. The culprit is likely bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.clevelandclinic.org

Five Tips When Dealing With Vaginal Odor

45 related questions found

How long does it take for BV to stop smelling?

With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myhealth.alberta.ca

Can other people smell my BV?

The truth is that when everything's normal, no one else smells any odors from a girl's vagina. If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. But even then, it's unlikely that people around her will notice it.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kidshealth.org

What are the symptoms of severe BV?

Pain, itching, or burning in the vagina; A strong fish-like odor, especially after sex; Burning when peeing; and.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Can you get rid of BV permanently?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection, and there's no way to completely stop all infections. Still, you may be able to lower your risk of developing BV with good hygiene and taking care of your overall health. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you're experiencing any of the symptoms of BV.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?

Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications may help.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

What does untreated BV smell like?

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.”

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

How do I get rid of the odor down there?

Following certain hygiene practices and avoiding behaviors that disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina can help reduce vaginal odors.
  1. But First, Healthy vs. Unhealthy Odors. ...
  2. Learn Proper Vulva Hygiene. ...
  3. Wear the Right Clothing. ...
  4. Don't Wait to Shower. ...
  5. Stay Hydrated. ...
  6. Use Tampons or Menstrual Cups. ...
  7. Try a Probiotic.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

How I finally got rid of BV?

While BV may go away on its own, if you have symptoms you should take an antibiotic to treat BV. Pregnant women who have BV are more likely to have complications, so it's especially important for them to get treated. Antibiotics include metronidazole, either orally or vaginally, or clindamycin (oral or vaginal).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on buoyhealth.com

Why won't my fishy smell go away?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on plannedparenthood.org

How do you get rid of BV successfully?

Treatment
  1. Metronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogel-Vaginal, others). This medicine comes as a pill or topical gel. ...
  2. Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, others). This medicine comes as a cream that you insert into the vagina. ...
  3. Tinidazole (Tindamax). You take this medicine by mouth. ...
  4. Secnidazole (Solosec).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

What happens if you have BV for too long?

Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on publichealth.va.gov

What's the longest BV can last?

Duration of Bacterial Vaginosis

Once BV is treated with antibiotics, it usually goes away. But sometimes it persists or recurs, often within three months, for reasons that aren't entirely understood. If a person keeps getting BV, a longer course of antibiotics may be necessary.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com

What is the strongest treatment for BV?

Bacterial vaginosis treatments

The three best treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis include: Metronidazole 0.75% vaginal gel once a day for 5 days. Metronidazole (Flagyl) 500 mg pills twice a day for 7 days. 2% clindamycin vaginal cream once a day for 5 days.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com

What is commonly mistaken for BV?

The signs and symptoms of BV and trichomoniasis may be quite similar to yeast infections in terms of redness, itching and pain. With BV, however, the discharge tends to be thin, white or yellowish, and more uniform in appearance. Trichomoniasis discharge is typically a frothy, greenish-yellow secretion.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com

Why is BV so hard to get rid of?

Disruptive microbes have formed a biofilm

The ability of BV-causing bacteria to potentially form a biofilm may explain in part why BV has such a high recurrence rate.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on evvy.com

Why are my knickers always wet and smelly?

Bacterial infections:

Excessive panties are always wet vaginal discharge can be caused due to bacterial vaginosis. The discharge is thin, grey coloured and smells like a fish. It also causes itching around the vagina. Having multiple sexual partners and frequent douching are the common causes of bacterial infection.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drseemasharma.com

Why do I keep getting BV from the same partner?

Studies have found that women who have an ongoing male sexual partner are twice as likely to experience BV recurrence [3,10] and that inconsistent condom use for penile-vaginal sex is also associated with higher rates of recurrence after treatment [10].

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov