Can diet help improve depression symptoms? A coppery smell can also be due to less common but serious causes. I strongly urge you to look into these, because condoms are so important for safe sex. Its an overgrowth of a certain type of bacteria that just happen to produce a bit of a discharge and a fishy odor. information submitted for this request. This value may be slightly higher if you have gone through menopause. Discussion of suicide or self-harm is not tolerated and will result in an immediate ban. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. We simply ask them, and then we accept their answer. It could be due to a forgotten tampon, and unfortunately, it really, really stinks. Another potential but less likely fishy odor culprit is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection that usually happens when sexually transmitted bacteria (often from an untreated STI) spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Orlando Health Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology and surgeon at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, tells SELF. (2022). Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. However, it is vital that people take care to clean the area surrounding the opening to the vagina, known as the vulva. It's time to take back your power and be glad to be rid of someone who would do that. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Vulvovaginal Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bacterial Vaginosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Trichomoniasis. Urinary and Kidney Team. (See your gynecologist if that. The vagina usually has only a mild odor or sometimes no odor at all. The classic advice when shopping for underwear is to go for cotton, but theres no scientific evidence that shows that synthetic materials (like polyester or silk) are bad for you. What causes white discharge before a period? If you hit the gym and notice an unpleasant vaginal odor afterward, its probably due to trapped sweat down there, says Dr. Dweck. This content does not have an Arabic version. I f my girlfriend's privates smelled like a condom (latex), and we had not been together in over a week, does that mean she cheated on me? Why is this? According to the Cleveland Clinic, 99 percent of sweat is water. Symptoms of TSS include: TSS can be an emergency. Youll find a wall full of products promising to mask the natural way your vagina smells like douching. An odor similar to bleach or ammonia could be a couple of different things. Be sure youre wiping from front to back, too. Last medically reviewed on February 7, 2023. A foul odor may suggest the std trichomonas .Use of lubricants or birth control options can change the odor.Yeast infections may smell like bread, and often have a thick white discharge.The presence of blood changes the odor. While it can cause embarrassment for the women experiencing it, vaginal gas is common and. 3. Usually its not a huge change in scent, and it goes away once your period wraps up, she says. Head swimming with questions? Chemical like a newly cleaned bathroom, 5. Treatment is straightforward: Prescription antibiotics in the form of a pill or vaginal cream, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. DOI: Majeroni BA. For medical advice, always consult your medical doctor. A bit musty, sometimes a bit acidic or salty. Urine sometimes has a strong odor, which people may confuse with a vaginal odor, especially if there is undetected urine leakage. Here are a few things that might cause your vaginas natural scent to go awry. Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research. All rights reserved. Cervical cancer. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. (2014). Why Does My Vagina Smell Like Onions and How Is It Treated? Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year. Trimethylamine is the chemical compound responsible for the distinct aroma of rotting fish and some abnormal vaginal odors. I'm not using condoms and I dont know what the smell because it was only a few times. Many women with bacterial vaginosis report noticing a fishy smell coming from their vagina, but others smell a more chemical odor, similar to ammonia. If a bacterial infection is responsible for the smell, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Female 24 year old has REALLY bad body odor that lingers hours after leaving rooms she enters. This protects against an overgrowth of the bad kinds of bacteria.. If you eat a new food that causes your urine to smell different, you might notice the smell lingering due to dried urine around your vagina or in your underwear. This is usually nothing to worry about. Every gynecologist has had the experience of a woman coming in with an odor, discovering it was a forgotten tampon, and feeling mortified, she says. I have also stop taking the garlic pills and using some of the feminine sprays. | Privacy Policy & User Guidelines. This can be a good start at managing your vaginal smell . Again, having some kind of vaginal odor is normal. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause an unpleasant-smelling discharge. Other symptoms may include fever, pain between the belly button and genitals, pain when urinating or having sex, or itching and redness around the vulva. And sometimes this means you might smell a little sweet. 9. Its completely normal for menstrual periods to produce a slight odor. Probiotics help balance your body's bacterial ecosystem. 4. Vaginal discharge can be a normal and healthy occurrence. While sweat from both types of glands is odorless, sweat from apocrine glands is more likely to smell when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin. PID diagnosis involves a pelvic exam, a testing of vaginal discharge and cervical cultures, or urine tests, per the Mayo Clinic. Possible causes of a vagina that smells like onions include: 1. Emotional stress: Your body contains two types of sweat glands, apocrine and eccrine. Lets go back to the basics for a minute. Symptoms include: burning stinging irritation throbbing swelling It can occur for a few reasons, including: damage or irritation of the. Trichomoniasis CDC basic fact sheet. Its treated with antibiotics. Ask away and we will do our best to answer or find someone who can.We try to vet our answers to get you the most acurate answers. How Gross Is It to Wear New Clothes Without Washing Them First? If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The discharge may be yellow or green, and the vulva may feel irritated. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. Douching. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is also essential to have regular checks for STIs. No advertising or spamming is permitted. SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. I have ran into this with my girlfriend as well and now I suspect that she cheated on me. This throws off the pH of your vagina. Fabric is a germ barrier. Although PID usually causes no signs or symptoms, besides a fishy vaginal odor, it can sometimes lead to pelvic pain, bleeding during or after sex or between your period, a fever, pain when you pee, heavy vaginal discharge with a foul odor, and even trouble getting pregnant due to scarring of your reproductive organs, the Mayo Clinic says. Its not a non-negotiable, per se, but it is a wise move for a lot of people. Acidity: The pH of a healthy vagina of a person of reproductive age is slightly acidic, between 4.0 and 4.5. (2022). OTC yeast infection medications should help clear up the infectionand smell, Dr. Streicher saysbut if youve tried that once and it didnt work, check in with your doctor. The one time I leave her alone with other guys is the one time that I noticed that her V smelled like condoms. Genital tract infections. Sweat can combine with vaginal discharge to make the vagina smell of strong foods, such as onions or garlic. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Obesity linked to 21 genes related to Alzheimers disease, study finds, What is bacterial vaginosis? I do have a question to ask. You can have an odor, but its not typical, Dr. Shepherd says. But when its intense and different from your usual, its time to rope in the professionals for help. Vaginitis describes a number of conditions that can cause infection or inflammation of your vagina. This can make you prone to urinary incontinence, which can leave the area around your vagina smelling like ammonia. (2014). Vulvodynia is a painful condition that affects the vulva. I have what to me sounds like a similar problem. Dr Uzair. If youre dealing with a fishy vaginal smell and wondering whats going on down there, heres what you should know. Bacterial vaginosis (usually just known as B.V.) is the most common vaginal infection in people ages 15 to 44, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in your vagina. The fish-like smell might be especially noticeable after sex, the Office on Womens Health (OWH) explains, and accompanying discharge may be foamy or watery. If you have a distinctly fishy smell emanating from your vagina, its highly likely that the cause is bacterial vaginosis (BV), Dr. Streicher says. It can also change the pH of your vagina (which should be between 3.5 to 4.5), allowing it to become a breeding ground for different bacteria or an infection. While most vaginal odors are caused by bacteria, sometimes your urine can also affect the smell. Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis. But if you notice an unusual. 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