What Is Vaginal Odor
Vaginal odor is the smell that your vaginaand usually your dischargegives off. A certain amount of vaginal odor is normal, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . But if the odor is strong and noticeable, its possible that you have an infection or other problem, ACOG says.
Foul Smell At End Of Period
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Can Anyone Else Smell My Periods
Most of the time, even if you can smell your period, it shouldnt be strong enough for anyone else to detect. Periods are a natural part of life, and nearly everyone who has one will tell you that theyve had a funky smell at some point so dont be embarrassed!However, if the smell is very strong, or if someone else tells you that theyve noticed a smell, make an appointment with your doctor to ensure theres nothing serious going on.
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When To See A Doctor
If youre worried about a weird or persistent vaginal odor, or even if youve noticed it and its not sitting right with you, its important to call your doctor. Thats especially true if youre also dealing with things like itching, burning, irritation, or increased discharge on top of it, the Mayo Clinic says.
Again, having some kind of vaginal odor is normal. But when its intense and different from your usual, its time to rope in the professionals for help.
Tips To Reduce Vaginal Odours
You can’t eliminate all smells, but you can reduce the intensity of an odour by practising certain hygiene protocols. If you’re experiencing a change in your vaginal scent, try a few of these recommendations to see if you can take care of it on your own. But know that if you have recurrent issues with odour and/or infections, it’s best to see your GP for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Periods Smells Like Death
Your period can cause an odor, which can vary from month to month.
Some women say their period smells like death, but this isnt always a cause for concern. The strong odor is most likely caused by blood and tissues exiting the vagina, along with bacteria. Bacteria in the vagina are normal, though the amount can vary. The resulting rotten odor from bacteria mixed with the menstrual flow should not be strong enough to detect others. You may be able to control such odors by changing pads and tampons frequently, especially on days when you have a lot of flow.
When a tampon is left in for too long or forgotten, it can develop a rotten odor. This can happen at the end of a period when you dont need to insert a new tampon as frequently, and there is no more bleeding. If you are concerned that you may have forgotten to remove a tampon, try to feel for the strings at the opening of your vagina. If you cant feel them, schedule a vaginal exam with your doctor to confirm.
Consult your doctor if your period stinks, and you have any unusual symptoms. Something else could be going on.
Here Are 3 Things The Smell Of Your Period Blood Is Saying About Your Health
To be honest, no one in this world has a flowery-smelling vagina. Then, how can we expect our period blood to smell like lilies? If you have ever got a whiff of your period blood, you know it has a strange odour. But do you know that your period blood has a tale to tell about your health? If not, then read on to know all about it!
But before that, have you ever wondered why does period blood smell in the first place? Well, blood is odorless. If you have ever experienced a finger cut, and if blood oozed out of it, then you must have observed there is no smell as such. But when it comes to your vagina, the blood down there stays for a while, and comes in contact with air and bacteria hence, the foul smell.
Also, according to Dr Manisha Ranjan, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital, Noida,our period blood contains the extract of our unfertilized egg, blood, and uterine lining tissues as well, which is another reason for the bad odour.
She says, Its completely fine if the blood has some odour. But, if the period smell is unbearable then it does indicate some underlying health conditions that need immediate medical attention.
Here are three things your period blood smell has to say about your health:
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Also, one should frequently change pads, and tampons during those heavy flow days, she concluded.
So ladies, dont take the smell of your period blood lightly, as it has a lot to say about your health!
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And That Smell The Fuck
Hormones can also be blamed for the dead animal smell coming from your ass. The bacteria in our stomach changes with the cycle of hormones each month. The smell of your gas changes as the bacterial fermentation changes during menstruation. So as the progesterone spikes and the prostaglandins work to squeeze the intestines, you are not only going to fart, you are going to fart really smelly, bacteria-laced farts.
Also, its not like were able to show much restraint when it comes to food during those few days right before and after the bleeding starts. The cravings, the give-me-all-the-ice-cream-chocolate-and-pizza-I-dont-fucking-care-if-I-ever-see-lettuce-ever-again mood kicks in. We eat our way through foods heavy in carbs, dairy, and sugar. But these food groups dont break down until they reach the large intestine, causing us to release not just silent and deadly, but loud and lethal gas.
We bleeders really dont have a fighting chance. Probiotic supplements might help to pump good bacteria into the gut and reduce the power of period farts. Avoiding certain gas-producing foods like beans might help too. To help reduce the production of prostaglandins, reducing pain and cramping, OTC anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can help relieve some discomfort. And if constipation is your problem, lots of water and fiber will help keep things moving.
What Happens If I Use Soap For Washing The Vagina To Avoid The Bad Smell Of Periods
Maintaining your hygiene by frequently washing with a gentle bar soap around the area between your legs is not a good idea. Because the vagina is self-cleaning, simply running water over the inside is sufficient. Avoid using perfumed soaps or body washes because the scents and chemicals may upset the natural pH of your vagina.
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What If My Vagina Smells Bad During My Period
Some people still feel shame or embarrassment about their periods, and how it smells is no exception. But again, regularly cleaning yourself should ease your worry about vaginal odor during that time of the month.
âWhat most people think of as traditional period odor is actually body odor,â says Dr. Holmes. âYouâve got lots of crevices down there. Bacteria loves blood, sweat, and hair. So when blood gets caught in those crevices, it will start to smell.âDr. Holmes says pads are more likely to collect odor than tampons, so if youâre worried about vaginal odor, use the latter. Change both pads and tampons regularly, and clean your crevices regularly, too. âBlood doesnât even have an odor until it hits air,â Dr. Holmes says, so if a tampon smells foul or fishy right when itâs removed, you may have bacterial vaginosis or another underlying issue.
And if your vagina smells like rot, or as Dr. Holmes puts it, âreally strong and horrible like something diedâ? That almost always signals a forgotten tampon in the vagina, she says. If you donât have any other symptoms, and if youâre not squeamish and can reach it, you can even take it out yourself, but ask your doctor if you need help . If you start to feel any other symptoms besides the odor – like itching, burning, or fever – itâs definitely time to seek medical help. And for the future: You should only use a tampon for up to 8 hours!
What Is The Mechanism Of Periods
Hormones cause the eggs in your ovaries to mature during your menstrual cycle when an egg is mature, it is ready to be fertilized by a sperm cell. These hormones also thicken and spongify the lining of your uterus. This lining, like almost everything else inside our bodies, is of tissue and blood. It contains a lot of nutrients that can help a pregnancy grow. So, if your egg is fertilized, it will have a nice cozy place to land and begin a pregnancy.
Ovulation occurs when your hormones tell one of your ovaries to release a mature egg about halfway through your menstrual cycle. Most people dont notice when they ovulate, but some ovulation symptoms include bloating, spotting, or a slight pain in your lower abdomen that you may feel only on one side.
After leaving your ovary, the egg travels through one of your fallopian tubes to your uterus.
If you do not become pregnant, your body does not require the thick lining in your uterus. Your lining degrades, and blood, nutrients, and tissue exit your body via your vagina. Its finally your period!
If you do become pregnant, your body requires the lining, which is why your period will stop during pregnancy. When you are no longer pregnant, your period returns.
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When Should I Seek Treatment For Abnormal Vaginal Odor
Vaginal issues are one of the most common reasons women seek medical care. If you are experiencing prolonged abnormal vaginal odor, or odor accompanied by discharge, burning and itching, you should seek medical care. Untreated vaginitis can lead to vaginal infections that can spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes. The risk of contracting STDs is also higher for women with vaginitis.
You should especially seek medical care if you are pregnant. Pregnant women with vaginitis or vaginal odor are at higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, infection of amniotic fluid and other risk factors.
How Do I Prevent A Metallic Vaginal Odor
- Change pad or tampon, or dump your cup, every time you use the toilet.
- Avoid tight pants and tight underwear, especially toward the end of your period.
- Wear cotton underwear, especially toward the end of your period when your vagina needs to breathe and balance its pH.
- Use a menstrual cup instead of tampons as your vagina changes pH during your period, the old pH discharge will be emptied out every time, rather than letting it sit against your vaginal walls soaked into a tampon.
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A Tampon Youve Forgotten To Remove
Vaginal odour: very unpleasant
There have been instances of people seeking help for a bad vagina smell and finding its caused by a tampon thats been left in for days, sometimes longer, says Dr Rosén.
If this happens, the smell will get worse quickly and be extremely obvious and offensive so if youre experiencing vaginal odour that escalates, its always best to check.
Should I Use Douches Wipes Or Feminine Sprays
No. Douches, feminine sprays, deodorants, and wipes that are meant to keep a woman’s vaginal area smelling fresh and clean can do more harm than good. Douching means washing out the vagina, usually with a product you buy in a store. But it’s not a good idea to douche . Douching can cause allergic reactions, irritation, and even infections.
Feminine sprays, deodorants, and scented tampons aren’t a good idea either. As with douching, they can lead to things like allergic reactions and irritation. Your vagina has its own natural cleaning system that flushes out bacteria, so you don’t need to add any chemicals to help it.
Smells caused by infections need to be treated with prescription medicines. Perfumed sprays don’t make infections go away, they just cover up the smell for a short time. If you notice a bad smell or think you may have an infection, see a doctor or go to a health clinic right away.
It’s easy to keep your vagina clean without making it smell like a flower shop. You just need to shower or wash every day with a mild soap and plenty of warm water. Some girls like to take warm baths during their periods to help relieve cramps.
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Get To Know Your Bodys Smells
The best way to know whether a vaginal odor is normal? Simple: Smell your vagina a lot. Donât be afraid to get very familiar with your own body. Get to know the variations of your discharge at different points of the month. Youâll spend a lot less time worrying, and youâll know right away when somethingâs not right.
How Can I Improve The Smell Of My Period Blood
First of all, if you’re worried about the smell of your period at any time, be sure to check in with your doctor to make sure that there are no infections going on. Once you’ve eliminated the chances of any infection, there’s a number of things that you can do to try and reduce the smell of your period blood. Here’s a few tips:
- Change your period protection frequently. Depending on your flow, how often you need to change will be different but you can experiment and see what works for you.
- If you wear tampons, make sure you don’t leave them in too long this will stop bacteria from building up which will help to keep smells to a minimum and also stop you from getting toxic shock syndrome.
- Making sure you keep on top of your hygiene by washing often using a gentle bar soap around the area between your legs. The vagina its self is self cleaning, so letting the water just run over the inside is more than enough. Avoid using any perfumed soaps or body washes the scents and chemicals may upset your vaginas natural pH.
- Go for breathable underwear that is moisture-wicking allowing the area to breathe and stay cool. Switching from pads and tampons to our breathable period underwear will also give you longer-lasting protection as they absorb you menstrual flow whilst keeping you dry all day long. Why not try our best-selling Cotton Essential Hipster period pants?
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