It is natural that vagina smells different after sexual intercourse for a brief period. A US doctor answered Learn more. Tea tree oil can also be used in conjunction with coconut oil for smelly vaginal discharge. If the infection is sexually transmitted, the person’s sexual partners may also need treatment. The skin contains two types of sweat gland: eccrine and apocrine. While BV is not a sexually transmitted infection, trich is an STD. This is usually … Luckily, it’ll go away once B.V. is treated with antibiotics, Dr. Streicher says. It could be due to a forgotten tampon, and unfortunately, it really, really stinks. The odor actually happens due to the change in your vaginal pH when the balance of good and bad bacteria down there is thrown out of whack, Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and director of Minimally Invasive Gynecology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, tells SELF. Ad Choices, 11 Reasons Your Vagina Smells a Little…Off. If the object is not fragile, and there are no other symptoms, a person can remove it themselves. i am sexually active and know this is not a yeast infection and don't of the other symptoms of an yeast infection. in Interactive Journalism from American University. It can get resolved once you take a bath twice in a day. Change out of sweaty workout clothes ASAP. If your discharge changes – for example, in smell, colour or texture – it might be a sign of an infection. The smell is usually caused by old blood, which has a bad, zoo-like scent when it oxidizes, Dr. Shepherd says. In addition to having heavy discharge that’s smelly, you might experience pain in your lower stomach and pelvic region, bleeding during or after sex, fever, chills, and painful peeing, per the Mayo Clinic. Anyone with unusual or smelly discharge should see a doctor, who will diagnose the issue and recommend treatment. My vaginal discharge smells like fish. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional, Gut bacteria can help rebuild the immune system. If you’re worried about a weird or persistent vaginal odor, or even if you’ve noticed it and it’s not sitting right with you, it’s important to call your doctor. 1. Healthy vaginal discharge is usually clear or white and does not have a strong odor. The vulva has a characteristic scent, and if it’s healthy the smell is not unpleasant. Apple Cider Vinegar Tampon Overnight Fight My Vagina Odor /My discharge smells bad but not fishy. “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. The discharge can sometimes have an unpleasant, fishy odor. Learn…, Male discharge is not always a sign of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). In some cases, there is pain that accompanies the odor and some discharge. When I sit down I can smell it and when I take my underwear off to use the toilet it is really bad. So if your discharge smells bad but not fishy, it could be a yeast infection. Fishy smelling discharge with odor is an abnormal discharge that is experienced by young women. Anal gland issues. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Vulvovaginal Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bacterial Vaginosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Trichomoniasis. This is a small channel that has formed between the end of the bowel and the skin near the anus. You should consult a doctor right away. There are pads with witch hazel that can calm down the irritation as well. The body has more eccrine glands, and their discharge does not smell. 7. It's the white stuff, the clear stuff smells okay. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal condition among females of reproductive age. What do different types of vaginal discharge mean? If you notice blood in the vaginal discharge; if it has a cottage cheese-like appearance; if it smells fishy or is greenish or yellowish in colour, it is a sign that something is wrong. And no, that scent probably won’t be a field of wildflowers. If you find that your usual scent is off and you know you recently ate a bunch of very fragrant foods (like garlic) or anything that’s not normally in your diet—and the change bothers you—you can consider whether what you eat may be contributing. In most cases, it results from an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. This can cause inflammation of the head of the penis, which doctors call balanitis. In addition to a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, it can make your genitals itch and cause painful peeing, though many people experience no symptoms. ... More. “I hear this all the time, but it’s all anecdotal,” Dr. Streicher says. Usually it’s not a huge change in scent, and it goes away once your period wraps up, she says. Different parts of the body produce different kinds of discharge, including: Some vaginal discharge is normal and healthy, and it is there to protect the vagina. I’m assuming this couldn’t possibly be due to a messy fish and chips dinner. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis (Trich) can cause fishy smelling discharge in women. Learn about what thick, white, clear, or colored vaginal discharge means for a person's health, as well as how to prevent unhealthy discharge. Sometimes this is the only symptom your dog has a UTI – and sometimes, this symptom is absent. 0 0. People with trimethylaminuria are unable to break down a strong-smelling compound called trimethylamine. The cause is often an infection. Discharge from the penis could have many causes. So if your discharge smells bad but not fishy, it could be a yeast infection. We also look into the causes and when to see a doctor. Bacterial vaginosis: Not all women with bacterial vaginosis will have symptoms, but bacterial vaginosis typically produces a discharge that is thin and grayish-white in color. Fact: Having some type of vaginal odor is normal. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. In some cases, penile discharge may occur with one or more of the following symptoms: Any substance that comes from the anus besides stool is called anal discharge. That’s especially true if you’re also dealing with things like itching, burning, irritation, or increased discharge on top of it, the Mayo Clinic says. … Coconut oil has antibacterial properties and fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation and kill off infections in the vagina. Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF. A certain amount of vaginal odor is normal, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). You’ve got your fluids mixing with another person’s fluids, and maybe some sweat too. As a result, the body releases trimethylamine in sweat, urine, genital discharge, and breath. It is a common condition that can affect both sexually active women and those who are not, causing various symptoms including a bad smell in the discharge. Apocrine glands are located in the armpits and genital area. Blood has an elevated pH, and that can throw your vaginal flora off a little during your period. Without daily washing, smegma can build up on the foreskin and head of the penis, causing an unpleasant odor. Plus, eating well is good for the rest of your body too. But if the odor is strong and noticeable, it’s possible that you have an infection or other problem, ACOG says. Aim to eat healthy. Otherwise, toxic shock syndrome can develop. It may also smell metallic near your period or bleach-like after intercourse. Most people who acquire it develop no symptoms. Keep in mind that ACOG specifically says … Males who do develop symptoms may experience: Females with trichomoniasis may experience: Smegma is a naturally occurring substance that helps lubricate the skin of the penis. Smelly discharge can come from various parts of the body, and it is usually a sign of an infection. I have noticed a bad Gould odour from my vagina and do not know what it could be. Not fishy or ... Foul smelling vaginal discharge 2408 Views I experience foul smelling vaginal discharge. 59 years experience Gynecology. The odor becomes strong usually when you have unprotected sex and semen mixes with vaginal secretions. Having a certain amount of vaginal discharge is a normal sign of a healthy reproductive system. Certain materials trap in heat and moisture, affecting the overall balance of good and bacteria—and yes, your vaginal odor. 9. If symptoms do develop in females, they may include: Possible symptoms of thrush in males include: A person can treat thrush using over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medication. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Clyde Dorr answered. Continue using until you no longer have fishy odor discharge. © 2020 Condé Nast. Invest in new underwear. Coppery like a penny. Bad odor in discharge due to vaginal infections One of the most frequent reasons for which discharge may have a bad odor has to do with vaginal infections of a bacterial or viral type. Could it mean something's not right? A Verified Doctor answered. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary (which she doesn't use at all now) and an M.A. Around 70% of people with trichomoniasis develop no symptoms. Smelly discharge can come from various parts of the body, and it is usually a sign of an infection. Some people really like the smell of vulvas. While having a tampon lodged in your vagina stinks (literally), it’s luckily easy to remove during a visit to your gynecologist. What's wrong? There’s not a clear-cut, absolute link between your diet and how your vagina smells, but Dr. Streicher says what you eat can be a factor in your vaginal odor. My vagina smells fishy. While there is some variation with normal vaginal odor, smells that are a tip-off that something is wrong can generally be divided into three camps: fishy odors, zoo-like smells, and yeasty scents. Some examples of STIs that can cause smelly discharge include: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. You’ve probably found that your vaginal odor smells a little more intense when you’re bleeding, and that’s normal, Dr. Shepherd says. The discharge usually is thin and milky, and is described as having a “fishy” odor. Vaginal Odor but only upon waking up 2538 Views For some reason when I wake up in the morning I feel like my vaginal kinda smells. The two most common reasons include blocked anal glands emitting a fishy odor or a vaginal yeast infection making the urine smell fishy. Coconut oil. Experts aren’t sure what causes B.V. or how some people get it, but they do know that it usually occurs in people with vaginas who are sexually active. Typically, the smell will clear up on its own within a day or so—or after you shower—but if it persists, call your doctor. The frequency and chances of infection increase with the extremes of age, i.e. Brown discharge. Below are some causes of smelly discharge in different areas of the body. A doctor usually prescribes a course of antibiotics to treat BV. But a fishy smell can also be a sign of trichomoniasis, the CDC says. If your odor is not fishy or yeasty and you have no uncomfortable symptoms (discharge, itch or irritation), your vaginal odor is most likely to be normal. A stinky smell down there could signal an STI called trichomoniasis, Alyssa Dweck, M.D., a gynecologist in Westchester, New York, and assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, tells SELF. What else should you look out for? When your penis smells fishy, you must find out the cause for it. Again, having some kind of vaginal odor is normal. Trimethylaminuria is an inherited condition that produces an odor of rotting fish. Yes. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can also cause foul-smelling discharge, says Dr. Dweck. You probably associate yeast infections with a certain discharge, but they can also cause a particular odor to develop. Yeasty Scent. It’s a vagina, not a perfume counter. If symptoms do occur, they may include: Females with genital herpes may also experience bleeding between periods. B.V. messes with the pH of your vagina and can create a bad, fishy odor in the process. Along with a fishy smell, you may also notice a milky-white discharge from your vagina. There are a few things that might cause your vaginal odor to go awry: It happens—and probably more often than you’d think, Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. Trichomoniasis is a type of parasitic STI. But if you’ve noticed a change in your vaginal odor that doesn’t go away, it’s worth bringing up with your doctor. You accidentally left a tampon in there. You’ve probably heard that eating pineapple or citrus fruits can make you smell sweeter down there, and that fried foods can make your vagina smell more strongly. It is important to remove the object as soon as possible. The discharge may look like cottage cheese. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) produce unusual discharge from the genitals. All of the sudden I started having sex and my discharge smells very bad.. Before when I first had the smelly discharge, it was super strong I could smell it from my pants (kinda fishy smell) then I bought monistat odor control and it helped so much the smell wasn't strong at all, but it was still there. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Many people report smelling a coppery, metallic vaginal odor. “It’s a yeasty smell,” says Dr. Streicher. Using warm water and then gently drying the area can help. She received a double B.A. Otherwise, a doctor should. Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. “A forgotten tampon causes the absolute worst vaginal odor,” Dr. Streicher says. You have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Changes in the color, odor, or consistency of vaginal discharge can sometimes indicate a problem. Vaginal odor is like sweat—everyone has their own scent, Dr. Shepherd says. If you’re not sure whether the change in smell is due to food or something else, call your doctor to get checked out. Bloody discharge from my vagina. The right approach depends on the cause of the discharge. Another notorious source of fishy smell in dogs is problematic anal glands. “Discharge” refers to any fluid that drains from the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, yeast infections don't give off any scent at all … If other symptoms do occur, they may include: Chlamydia is another sexually transmitted bacterial infection. All rights reserved. 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