Vagina odor is something that many women have to face. And while most of the time, a small amount of odor is normal, certain smells can signify bad sexual health. This article will answer many questions you may have: why does my vagina smell, why does my vagina smell during pregnancy, and how do I get a healthy vagina smell?
Let’s take a look at some of the answers to these questions below.
Smells to Look Out For
Most of the time, odors are completely normal. We will usually have some sort of scent coming from our genitals, no matter how good our sexual health is. However, that doesn’t mean that it should smell bad, and if your vagina has a fishy or disgusting smell, it may be an indicator that there is a problem.
So, let’s go into detail about the main reasons you may find a disagreeable smell in your vagina.
From Bacterial Vaginosis
Many women often ask: why does my vagina smell? A very common infection, and one possible cause of your vaginal odor, is bacterial vaginosis. This infection creates a fishy smell when caught. The reason for bacterial vaginosis occurring is that the acid in a vagina gains more and more bacteria over time, causing it to produce alkaline.
This then causes the smell and irritation in the area, and often a yellow liquid to discharge.
If you have bacterial vaginosis, it’s a good idea to see your doctor. Your doctor will check to see if there are any common symptoms mentioned above and then will conduct a test using some of the fluid. If it is found that you have bacterial vaginosis, antibiotics will be prescribed to treat it.
From an STI
One reason you may suffer from vagina odor is from an STI. This is a fishy smell that you can usually realize straight away. Some STIs, such as trichomonas, cause your vagina to have an odor. If you have this, you should visit your doctor, who will run tests to diagnose and treat it with antibiotics or other methods for reducing the smell.
From Tampons Left Inside
If you are wondering: Why does my vagina smell? One potential cause could be a tampon left inside. If you have forgotten to take out a tampon, this can cause bacteria to multiply inside the vagina. However, this is easy to remedy, simply take the tampon out, and the smell should disappear.
If it is too difficult to take the tampon out, you should consult a doctor. They will know exactly how to get it out if it has been lodged inside. If you don’t get the tampon out in time, it may result in an even more foul-smelling odor, and pelvic pain or fever can occur. In some cases, you may even experience toxic shock syndrome, which occurs due to bacteria entering the bloodstream, which is a severe and life-threatening condition.
From Cervical Cancer
Another cause of vagina odor is cervical cancer. Although this is a more uncommon cause of odor occurring in that area, there is often blood causing a smell.
If you think you might have cervical cancer, it’s a good idea to see a doctor and get a cancer screening straight away.
Different Types of Foods
The types of food you eat affect your health, which even applies to your sexual health, causing your vagina to smell.
If you start to notice your vagina smelling, it’s a good idea to take note of whether your diet has changed at all and to avoid the foods that may be causing this issue.
It is common for many women to notice their vagina smelling after eating more processed foods than normal.
Vagina Smell from Sweat
One of the most common causes of vagina odor is sweat. After a heavy gym session, you may notice it. This is due to your sweat glands discharging oily fluid that bacteria has metabolized when coming into contact with the skin. This causes a smell that you may be familiar with. However, after a short while, the smell should go.
Vagina Smell from Your Period
Lastly, when wondering why does my vagina smell, it is common for it to happen when your period comes.
Since blood has a high level of pH, the smell of your vagina can seem very different from what it usually is. This is extremely common, and many women notice the smell of their vagina being different when menstruating.
Once your period has ended, your vagina will go back to its usual smell once more.
Vagina Smell During Pregnancy
It is common to notice all kinds of changes to your body when you are pregnant. One such change is an increased amount of vaginal discharge.
Usually, the smell will be different from the usual smell of your vagina, however, it shouldn’t be too repugnant. If it is, it could be a cause of excess bacteria, also known as a bacterial imbalance. If this is the case, you would need to see your doctor, and they will provide you with a solution to ease your vagina smell during pregnancy.
How to Reduce Your Vaginal Odors: Stop Douching
If you are looking to reduce the bad smell and get back to a healthy vagina smell, there are a few things you will need to do differently. By practicing better sexual health, you can change your scent to a healthy vagina smell, which is quite easy to do.
Douching is where you stream a mix of water and vinegar into the vagina to clean and rinse it out. Around 20% to 40% of women in the USA aged 15 to 44 use a douche.
All vaginas have bacteria and yeast, and the acidity of the vagina helps normalize the levels, which helps it clean itself.
When a douche is used, the levels can be upset, causing potential bacterial infections, and in more severe cases, it is linked to cervical cancer.
If you feel your vagina is dirty, gently use water to clean the outside area of your vagina. If you are currently douching, it is good to reduce or stop doing this to produce a more healthy vagina smell.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you find the smell of your vagina is stronger than usual, it is recommended to get a check-up just in case. The doctor will run some tests to diagnose the problem and figure out the root cause of the problem.
As well as a strong smell, there are other symptoms that you may experience, including:
- Thick and strong-smelling discharge
- Pain when having sex and during any movement
- Vaginal bleeding when you are not on your period cycle
- Burning or severe itching in the vaginal area
If any of these symptoms occur, you should see a doctor. If you need a doctor for your vaginal odor issues, Carreras Medical Center can help. Located in Hialeah, Florida, we are on hand to provide you with expert advice and treatment to keep your mind at ease when your vaginal odor is concerned. Book an appointment with us today.
