Vagina Smells Metallic

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Vagina Smells Metallic
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Practically any part of your body can smell a little different under the right conditions, but, other than general sweat smells and body odor, you're likely most concerned about vaginal odors. Women tend to be self-conscious of how they smell down there, and if you think you detect a whiff of something that seems like it isn't exactly right, you might get concerned. Vaginal odors indicate all sorts of different things, partially based on what it is you think you smell, but if you're wondering, " why does my vagina smell like metal ," here's what you need to know.
First of all, vaginas are supposed to have a smell — they're not completely odor-neutral. The exact scent and strength can vary from woman to woman, so if you feel like you smell, but, when girl-talking with a friend she says she doesn't think she does, it doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with you. That being said, there are also smells that indicate that there might be something else going on.
In terms of a metallic smell, however, you're likely A-OK. According to Health Central, your vagina will most likely exude a metallic scent right after you've wrapped up your period because it changes the pH level of your normally-acidic vagina. Likewise, if you've recently had heterosexual sex, you might notice a metallic scent because semen can also change the pH level of your vagina, making it more basic and resulting in that iron, copper, or metallic smell.
If you notice a metallic scent, don't panic and immediately try to over-correct. That can just make things worse. As Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, told Women's Health , using strongly-scented soaps to try to mask or alleviate the smell can further impact your vagina's pH level , which, in turn, will make the situation worse. You shouldn't actually have to do anything special to try and clean your vagina if you don't have an infection or other actual issue, so if you're tempted to try products, you should first talk to your doctor.
If the smell continues to linger, you haven't had sex recently, and your period is long-gone, you may want to consider having a chat with your gynecologist to rule out infections and the like, regardless of if you're considering the use of feminine hygiene products or not. Additionally, if you have a copper IUD, the metallic smell you're smelling down there could be due to the IUD, as some posts on patient message boards and forums link a metallic vaginal smell to their IUD use , so that may be something you'd want to ask your doctor about, as well.
Regardless of the cause, a metallic smelling vagina is likely no real cause for concern. More often than not, it's your body's response to run-of-the-mill things like your period and sex. The pH change might not even be otherwise noticeable, unlike the situations that cause many other vaginal odors (which can be accompanied by itchiness, pain, or general discomfort). Typically, all you'll need to do is ride it out and wait for the smell to subside. While that might not be comforting when you're in the midst of it, it's always better to deal with a minor (but ultimately fine) inconvenience than it is to do nothing for a problem that requires action — or do something that's going to make the problem worse. Talking to your doctor, even though it might be embarrassing, can't ever hurt if you're really concerned. But know that in most cases it'll be on its way out before you know it.
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Bacterial vaginosis — CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022.
Douching. Office on Women's Health. http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/douching.html. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022.
Sobel JD, et al. Bacterial vaginosis: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022.
Ferri FF. Cervical cancer. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022.
Ferri FF. Vaginal cancer. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022.
Toglia MR. Rectovaginal and anovaginal fistula. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022.
Gershenson DM, et al. Genital tract infections. In: Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 14, 2022.



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Vaginal odor can change from day to day during the menstrual cycle. An odor might be especially noticeable right after having sex. Sweating also can cause a vaginal odor.
Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of bacteria typically present in the vagina. It's a common vaginal condition that can cause vaginal odor. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, also can lead to vaginal odor. A yeast infection usually doesn't cause vaginal odor.
Possible causes of unusual vaginal odor include:
Less commonly, unusual vaginal odor may result from:
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
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By
Madeleine H. Burry
July 3, 2021

Medically Reviewed by

Mayoni Ranasinghe, MBBS, MPH


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If your vaginal odor smells sweet, you may want to get your blood sugar levels checked out.

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How to Keep Your Vagina Clean and Smelling Good


​ Choose the right undergarments: ​ Opt for cotton underwear, Dr. Katz recommends. And wear looser clothing, so it can air out, she says.
​ Stay away from panty liners: ​ Wearing a pad or panty liner during menstruation is fine. But the rest of the month, don't stick one to your underwear. "They can cause a lot of irritation to the vulva and make you more prone to having vaginal infections," Dr. Katz says.
​ Try a sitz bath: ​ If your vagina does feel irritated, try a sitz bath, Dr. Katz recommends. Fill your tub (or an actual sitz bath , which goes over your toilet seat) with warm water up to your hips and 1/4 to 1/2 cup salt, she says — sit there with your legs open for around 10 minutes, then rinse off. "That's a great way to sooth your skin and kill irritating bacteria," Dr. Katz says.
​ Never, ever douche: ​ It bears repeating, because every expert agrees that douching is the enemy of a healthy vagina. "We recommend not douching because it could throw off the bacteria balance," Dr. Galucki says — that makes odor worse. Plus, if you have an infection, douching can push it up into the uterus, she points out. "So if you have a bad odor, you do not want to douche."
​ Don't over-clean: ​ "You don't want to use scented sprays and soaps because that could actually make it worse," Dr. Galucki says. Instead, simply use a gentle, unscented soap on your vulva (no need to clean inside your vagina).



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Vaginas have a smell to them, and sometimes, the odor can be pungent. A strong odor can, understandably, make you feel a bit self-conscious or concerned that it's a symptom of a larger problem, like an infection or disease.
But for the most part, experts say not to worry. "Most of the time, there's no big issue," Adi Katz, MD , an ob-gyn at Lenox Hill Hospital, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
It's normal for genitals to have a bit of an odor, says Maria Sophocles, MD , ob-gyn and sexual medicine specialist of Women's Healthcare of Princeton.
For one thing, she points out, the vulva (that's the visible, outer portion of the genitals for people with vaginas) has hair follicles, along with sweat and oil glands. "It has a lot of properties of other parts of your body," Dr. Sophocles says (think: your underarms). So it's not so surprising that the area would have an odor.
The vagina is naturally home to all sorts of bacteria, Dr. Katz explains — and those can also be a source of variation to your personal odor.
"Throughout the month, with the changes due to hormones and our menstrual cycle, the bacteria may shift a little bit, which can cause different odors," she says.
In general, the pH of the vagina is acidic, Dr. Katz says. But all sorts of things can cause the pH to become more basic (alkaline), making it hospitable to certain bacteria that can lead to irritation, discharge and odor, she says.
Many variations in odor are temporary.
"In general, odor is a basic variation of what a woman smells like down there," Dr. Sophocles says.
Still, an unusual scent is worth noting, particularly if it lingers. Here, gynecologists share some of the odors patients commonly bring up, along with their potential causes.
If you find the smell of your vagina unpleasant, you might be tempted to clean it or cover up the scent. After all, that’s what we do elsewhere on our body: We shower frequently, apply deodorant daily, spray on scent and so on. But efforts to clean the vagina and vulva tend to backfire.
“Most women probably over-wash and strip the vulva of protective oils,” Dr. Sophocles says.
There’s no need to clean inside your vagina. Most importantly, don’t douche. The vagina “cleans itself,” Dr. Sophocles says. When you douche — with water, vinegar or anything else — it messes with the vagina’s normal pH balance. This, in turn, “encourages the bacteria to grow abnormally, which then can set you up for odor, which can make you want to wash more, which sets you up for more odor,” Dr. Sophocles says.
It's possible — but not very likely — that a sweet scent could indicate a yeast infection, Dr. Sophocles says. This fungal infection is typically characterized by a cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge , itching and irritation of the vagina and vulva, per the Mayo Clinic .
"Yeast infections usually don't have much of an odor," says Shirley V. Galucki, MD , an ob-gyn with Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
A sweet smell to your vagina could indicate a problem elsewhere in your system, Dr. Galucki says. For instance, it could indicate high blood sugar.
"If someone has a sweet smell from the vagina, I'd encourage them to get tested and check their blood sugar," Dr. Katz says. "They may have a problem with their sugar balance overall."
There's probably no need to be concerned if your vagina has a sour odor. This could just be the everyday odor of your vagina, Dr. Katz says. "The vagina is an acidic environment," she reminds us.
One of the "good" bacteria that lives there is acidophilus. That may sound familiar, because it's the bacteria found in yogurt. "What [people] may refer to as a sour smell may just be the natural smell that should be in the vagina," she says — a yogurt-like tanginess.
It's also possible that the odor is due to something you ate. Certain foods can shift the pH of the vaginal environment, Dr. Sophocles says. This effect is usually short-lived, she notes.
Vaginas do have a scent, and generally, that’s not an issue. “If you have a strong odor, we would recommend getting checked out to make sure it’s not anything else,” Dr. Galucki says.
That’s particularly true if the odor is accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching, burning and discharge, per the Mayo Clinic .
You're not alone if you've smelled a fishy odor emanating from your vagina. "That's the most common thing people report," Dr. Sophocles says.
A fishy odor may be due to bacterial vaginosis (BV), which occurs when there's an overgrowth of one form of bacteria in the vagina Dr. Katz says. BV is the most common vaginal condition, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Other symptoms of BV include itching, burning during urination and gray, white or green discharge, according to the Mayo Clinic . While it's possible for BV to clear up on its own, the CDC recommends getting treated with antibiotics — otherwise, BV increases your risk of STDs, and for pregnant people, increases the likelihood of premature birth or low birth weight.
There's also the possibility that the odor could be the result of trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease. This disease can be treated with antibiotics, per the Office on Women's Health .
There's another potential simple explanation for a fish odor: Your natural body sweat. After a long day of running around, particularly if you're wearing tight clothes, you may have a more potent, fish-like odor, Dr. Katz says. "It doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong."
Bottom line: If your vagina has a persistent fishy scent that's not your typical odor, a visit to the doctor may be in order — while it's possible this odor is just due to sweat, it could be the result of an infection or STD.
Again, this could simply be the scent of the bacteria in your vagina, Dr. Katz says.
If it's not your familiar odor, you might want to investigate. This could be yeast, and it could be BV, Dr. Sophocles says.
"You do probably need to have a doctor look at discharge under the microscope," Dr. Sophocles says — this will help identify what's causing the odor.
This scent didn't ring any immediate bells with the gynecologists we spoke to.
It's possible, Dr. Katz says, that it could be linked to something you're eating — a pungent food (like, say, asparagus) might cause a shift in the odor of your vagina, in the same way that it can make your urine temporarily smell different, Dr. Katz says.
Or, what smells to one person like a "fishy" odor (see above) may be more like "vinegar" to another.
"If you're getting a foul odor, then we do think about sexually transmitted diseases," Dr. Galucki says.
Trichomoniasis could be the cause of this odor, so a visit to your health care provider is in order — there, your doctor may do a pelvic exam or look under the microscope to see if the single-cell parasite behind this disease is present, per the Office of Women's Health.
Forgetfulness could also be behind this odor — if you accidentally forget to remove a tampon, or if some cotton tissue gets stuck in the vagina, it can cause a noticeable and unpleasant odor. "After a few days it may start smelling rotten," Dr. Katz says.
Forgetting to remove a tampon happens. In fact, "we see it relatively commonly," Dr. Galucki says. After all, life is busy, and periods tend to be light at their tail end. The good news: "We can treat it really quickly," Dr. Galucki says.
You're most likely to smell a metallic or coppery odor when you have your period.
"There's a specific odor to menstruation. It can be unpleasant, but it doesn't indicate that something is wrong," Dr. Sophocles says.
Because there's iron in blood, it can have a coppery odor, she says.
Your vagina will never be free from scent entirely. And all sorts of everyday activities — such as having your period or having sex — can change the bacterial makeup in your vagina, leading to odor changes, Dr. Katz notes. Still, following these habits can help prevent bad odors:

Home Intimate Health Feminine Hygiene 6 vaginal smells that must make you sniff trouble
While you might want your vagina to smell like a fragrant flower, it ain’t normal. If you experience peculiar smells down there, it is nothing to worry about. A healthy vagina smells a little funky and the smell can change with our ovulation cycle too.
Did you know that your vagina has the power of self-cleansing? And some vaginal smells are a sign that your lady bits are healthy while some can be alarming. Yes, that’s true. But how do you differentiate between what’s normal and what’s not?
Dr Madhulika Sinha, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka, spoke to HealthShots about various vaginal odours and what causes them in the first place.
“Changes in vaginal scent are very common and nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s important to take them seriously because they could indicate a more serious health problem, such as an infection.” says Dr Sinha.
“You may have bacterial vaginosis if you notice a strong, fishy odour coming from your vaginal area. It’s a vaginal infection caus
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