Many women’s reproductive health topics are often seen as uncomfortable and many people avoid voicing their experiences and opinions. One of those topics is definitely vaginal smell and what it can signal. Doral Beach Gynecology Clinic is undoubtedly a place where you can openly talk about your reproductive health, so if you want to visit a specialist and consult with them, visit our gynecologist and get all the information you might need.
Vaginal smells are somewhat of a taboo in today’s world, and people rarely discuss it, even with their chosen healthcare provider, let alone their significant other. The ads for women’s hygienic products are presented as tactics to mask the natural vaginal odor and make women go to extremes, such as using perfumed vaginal washes, douching, etc., just to avoid any possibility of experiencing a faulty vaginal smell. This harms the vaginal flora significantly and can severely damage women’s health in general.
Cleaning the intimate parts in this way can cause different infections and bacterial vaginosis, which, if not treated on time, can lead to the development of severe conditions. The fact of the matter is that the vagina contains a huge variety of different bacteria, and trying to eliminate them can just harm your health.
If you are still worried about your vaginal smell, this article will help you differentiate different vaginal smells and decide when to visit a doctor. If, after reading this, you become aware that you might be facing a problem, contact our clinic at Miami Beach or Doral and schedule a consultation with our experts.
Take into consideration that it is natural for your vaginal odor to change. This is because it is conditioned by your hygiene habits, the menstrual cycle dynamics, some potential underlying conditions, and the sweat glands in the groin. It is unrealistic to expect that your vagina will be odorless, so try to make peace with this fact and take care of your health in a more informed way.
Unusual Signs
Although, as mentioned, vaginal odor can differ, some smells are seen as signals of a potential infection or health condition. If you notice that your vagina smells differently, especially if it is a fishy vaginal odor, followed by a change in the color and consistency of the discharge, or you feel a burning sensation when you urinate, contact your chosen doctor immediately.
Different Vaginal Smells
In order to break down the taboo, at least to a certain extent, in today’s article we brought a list of different vaginal smells which might occur and what they mean. Also, we wanted to share tips on how to mitigate the odor when possible and what would be some signs which tell you to visit your gynecologist.
Fermented Vaginal Smell
This type of vaginal smell is often compared to the odor of fermented foods such as sourdough bread, yogurt, or some types of sour beer. All these items contain similar good bacteria that dominate healthy vaginas. The reason for this smell is the pH value of the vagina, which is acidic and which prevents the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina.
This said, if the yeast levels rise in the vagina, then you might be suffering from an infection, and this is very often followed by a discharge looking like cottage cheese and a very intense itching sensation in the vulva and the vagina. The good news is that yeast infections are not that serious, and after you get a proper diagnosis, you can cure it with anti-fungal medication.
Coppery Smell
If you start experiencing a metallic, coppery vaginal odor, do not worry. This usually occurs during your period because our blood is full of iron, and when the blood and tissue are shed, you might smell a coppery odor. This can also occur if you experience bleeding after sexual intercourse or in cases of heavy vaginal bleeding. One way to get rid of the smell is by using pH-balancing gels to make the vagina a bit more acidic and stop the growth of bacteria causing the odor.
Bleach-like Scent
Remember the smell of a freshly cleaned bathroom? When your vagina starts smelling like this, you might want to visit your doctor. There are a few reasons why this can occur, and they include:
- Urea from the urine (when there is a buildup of urine on the underwear or in the vulvar area)
- Bacterial vaginosis (a vaginal infection that includes a fishy vaginal odor, itching, burning while urinating, and white or gray discharge)
- Usage of a particular lubricant or condom (when experiencing this smell after sexual intercourse)
Sweet Smell
There is a theory that your diet can affect how your vagina smells. This is not scientifically proven, but people often joke that women should consume pineapple, oranges, or grapefruit before sexual intercourse to get their vaginas to smell sweet. Experts actually connect this smell to bacteria, because the vaginal pH keeps changing, and sometimes these changes cause the sweet vaginal smell. You should not worry if this happens.
Fishy Vaginal Odor
This term is most commonly used when people want to describe a faulty odor coming from the vaginal area. What causes this type of smell is a chemical compound called trimethylamine, which is the main culprit for abnormal odors and a peculiar fishy smell.
There are two main reasons why this smell would appear, and both can signal you to call your doctor and schedule a check-up. The reasons are:
- Trichomoniasis which is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, treatable by antibiotics but still uncomfortable due to a smelly vaginal discharge (yellow or green) and a very strong, fishy smell.
- Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, as mentioned, can also cause a fishy odor because of an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in the vaginal area. This type of bacteria can be very odorous and also cause itchiness, a white discharge, burning sensations, etc.
Rotten Smell
In some cases, you can start to experience a rotten, powerful odor, which reminds you of rotten food or a decaying organism. Very often, this is not caused by your vagina but by something within the vaginal cavity, like a forgotten tampon. If you let a tampon stay inside the vagina for a few days, it will cause a rotten smell, so make sure you are mindful of changing your tampon at least two or three times every day during your period.
When to See a Doctor?
Vaginal odor can also be a signal that something is wrong and that there is an underlying condition you should discuss with your doctor. Here are some additional symptoms which often accompany the smell and are a sign to visit a medical professional:
- Pain in the vaginal area
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Smelly vaginal discharge
- Itching
- Burning sensation
- Cottage cheese-like discharge
- Vaginal bleeding after your period has ended
Contact Us!
Vaginal smells are nothing you should panic about. The majority of vaginal odors are signs of recurring changes in the ecosystem of your vagina, so instead of worrying, contact our clinic and find out all the necessary information you want to know. Call us now!