11 reasons why you may have vaginal odor
Here are some facts. Vaginal odor is normal. And although advertisements for various hygiene products scream at you that this is a cause for concern, most likely there is nothing wrong or serious about the way you smell. And yes, the smell is clearly specific — after all, this is your vagina, not a perfume counter.
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However, if you notice that the smell has changed and this continues for a long time, you should consult a doctor. In the meantime, here are 11 reasons why you might be experiencing bad vaginal odor.
What causes bad odor?
- You accidentally forgot to remove the tampon in time
It happens — perhaps more often than you think. Some women may insert a tampon at the end of their period just in case and magically forget about it until they need to insert a new tampon. They have sex with a tampon, insert it even deeper, complain to their gynecologist about a change in vaginal odor, and are annoyed to find it inside. And it”s true!
- Are you on your period?
You may have noticed that your vaginal odor gets a little stronger during your period. This happens because the pH level in the blood is elevated. The smell usually goes away after your period ends, so don”t worry.
- You ate something with a strong smell
You”ve probably heard that eating pineapple or citrus fruits sweetens vaginal odor, while eating fried foods worsens it. This is not true. At least, there are no serious studies confirming this fact.
However, if your vaginal odor begins to change after you ate something with a strong odor from your diet the day before (such as something containing garlic) and you associate the two with each other, it might be a good idea to see your doctor to find out if this is the case.
- Have you played sports recently
If you notice an odor immediately after exercise, don”t worry and take a normal shower, as vaginal odor can be caused by body sweating as a result of physical activity.
- Have you recently had sex without a condom?
After sex, you may notice that everything around you smells different, it”s true. During intercourse, your discharge mixes with your partner”s and also increases the pH level of the semen, which can cause your vagina to smell strange. It usually goes away within a day or after a shower, but if it doesn”t, seek medical attention.
Read also: Dry: 8 reasons why women do not lubricate
One of the signs of female sexual arousal is the abundant secretion of so-called lubricant, which improves the quality of sexual intercourse. However.
- You are wearing inappropriate underwear
The type of underwear you wear matters a lot. Some materials trap heat and moisture, disrupting the overall balance of nutrients and bacteria. Of course, they also affect vaginal odor.
The classic advice when buying underwear is to buy items made from cotton, but there is no scientific evidence that synthetic materials (such as polyester or silk) pose any significant risk.
- You have a bacterial infection
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15 to 44 and occurs when too much of a certain bacteria accumulates in the vagina.
Fishy vaginal odor
The first sign of thrush is the presence of abnormal discharge, usually accompanied by a very unusual and specific odor. If you yourself notice these symptoms, try taking a course of medications for candidiasis, which can be bought in pharmacies without a special prescription. If this doesn”t help, go to the hospital.
- Do you have trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is caused by small parasites that move between people during sex, and is actually very common. However, if left untreated, the consequences can be very unpleasant, so if you notice any symptoms or simply suspect trichomoniasis, consult your doctor immediately.
In addition to a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, this sexually transmitted disease can cause genital itching and painful urination, but many people experience no symptoms at all, making trichomoniasis a fairly silent disease.
- Do you have another STD?
Abnormal vaginal discharge and foul odor may also be a symptom of other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. As with trichomoniasis, there may be no symptoms. If you notice abnormal or painful discharge during sex or urination, consult your doctor to rule out STDs as a possible cause.
- You have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
PID occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria, possibly from untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea, travel from the vagina to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
In addition to heavy, foul-smelling discharge, women may experience pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area, bleeding during or after intercourse, fever, chills, and pain when urinating.
If these symptoms occur, see your doctor immediately, as foul-smelling discharge, painful urination, or bleeding outside of your period may be signs of an STD, and early treatment of STDs can help prevent PID.
