Here are seven of the best over-the-counter products to help manage a yeast infection. The Bartholin glands are a pair of glands, near the opening of the vagina. If a duct from one of the gland gets blocked, fluids can build up…. A cyst may form if…. If you have vaginal atrophy, you may wonder if it can be reversed. With treatment, some women find that their symptoms improve.
Although antibiotics can help treat bacterial vaginosis BV , it often comes back. There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph. Share on Pinterest. Tangy or fermented. Coppery like a penny. Sweet like molasses.
Chemical like a newly cleaned bathroom. Skunky like BO or a smoked herbal, earthy scent. Fishy or that fillet you forgot about. Rotten like a decaying organism. When you should see a doctor. Read this next. Why Does My Period Smell? Written by Grant Tinsley, PhD. How Sanitary Are Bidets, Anyway?
Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Bartholin Cyst Home Treatment. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Do this two to three times a day. In addition to the sitz bath with guava leaves, you can make some changes in your diet such as eat lots of fruit, vegetables, leafy greens and natural yoghurt.
These diet changes will help diminish the foul smelling discharge as they will help balance the bacterial flora of the vagina. Health , Nutrition and Welfare in a simple and accessible language. Useful information on remedies, diseases, examinations and treatments of traditional and alternative medicine. Trichomoniasis A sexually transmitted infection STI , trichomoniasis can cause vaginal odor.
Other STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia , typically aren't accompanied by a strong smell but may be the culprit, per the Mayo Clinic. A forgotten or stuck tampon A very strong vaginal odor can occur if you forget to take a tampon out or if one is stuck inside you. According to the British National Health Service, it is not possible for a tampon to get lost inside you. It can however be compressed at the top of your vagina.
The effect it has is much different from washing yourself in the bath or shower, which is perfectly healthy. Doctors don't recommend douching because it can increase your risk for many health problems including STIs, and even interfere with conception. Douching removes healthy bacteria that the vagina needs to keep balanced and can actually make the problem worse in the long run.
In addition, douching can promote overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which can lead to yeast infections or BV. If you already have a vaginal infection, douching may spread the infection into your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease , a serious infection that causes infertility in 1 in 10 women who have it, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Poor hygiene Not bathing or showering regularly can lead to inflammation of the vaginal area, which can cause vaginal odor. Sweating The skin in the groin area is prone to sweating, which can cause vaginal odor. Diet What you eat and drink influences the smell of urine , and there's some evidence that what you eat can affect your vaginal odor. If your vagina smells off, foods with strong odor, such as garlic, could be the cause. Your menstrual cycle Your vaginal smell likely changes during different stages in your cycle.
Pregnancy According to the Cleveland Clinic, pregnant women are at a higher risk of having changes in vaginal smell due to hormonal changes and increased vaginal secretions. Rare causes of vaginal odor include: Rectovaginal fistula This is a rare abnormal opening between the vagina and the rectum that allows feces to leak into the vagina, which can contribute to vaginal odor. Other symptoms include recurrent vaginal or urinary tract infections UTIs , pain during sex, or stool in your vagina.
Cervical or vaginal cancer In rare cases, abnormal vaginal odor can sometimes be a symptom of cervical or vaginal cancer. Other symptoms of possible cervical or vaginal cancer are heavy vaginal discharge that can have a strong odor, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A urine test can check for pregnancy and STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
A urinalysis can test for a UTI , while a sample of vaginal fluid is used to diagnose trichomoniasis or BV. If left untreated, infections can be extremely dangerous and cause permanent damage, so never try to treat them on your own without proper diagnosis.
Although rare, a rectovaginal fistula can be diagnosed through a vaginal exam and a rectal exam. If the fistula cannot be identified, imaging studies such as an ultrasound , CT scan , or an MRI may be performed. While some rectovaginal fistulas close on their own, most require surgery. If cancer is suspected — though this is rarely the cause of vaginal odor — your doctor will likely perform a Pap test to screen cervical or vaginal cells for cancer.
An abnormal Pap test could require additional diagnostic testing. Medication Options You may need to see your doctor for treatments that target a specific issue, especially an infection. If you have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic such as:.
Herbal supplements Some herbal supplements claim to reduce vaginal odor or treat symptoms associated with root causes of vaginal odor, such as BV. Food and Drug Administration FDA doesn't regulate and review supplements for safety and effectiveness as it does with pharmaceuticals, so you should use caution with any supplements or natural remedies. Certain lifestyle modifications can help keep the vaginal area clean and reduce your risk of odor: Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing to prevent moisture buildup and increase airflow to the area.
Change clothes and shower promptly after exercising or other sweaty activities. Practice good hygiene, washing with warm water and nonirritating soap.
Avoid douching. Prevention of Vaginal Odor In general, you can control mild vaginal odor by implementing some of the tips mentioned above: Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing to prevent moisture buildup and increase airflow to the area. Change clothes and shower promptly after exercise. Practice good hygiene by washing your vaginal area with warm water and nonirritating soap. Avoid foods that might increase the odor. Wipe front to back after urinating or making a bowel movement to prevent spreading bacteria from your anus to your vagina.
Use condoms during sex to prevent the spread of STIs. Avoid douching and feminine sprays or deodorants, which can lead to irritation. In about a third of cases, an unusual vaginal smell goes away on its own, notes the Cleveland Clinic.
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