Vaginal Odor During Period

Vaginal Odor During Period
By
Jessica Migala
January 31, 2022

Medically Reviewed by

Angela Wright Marshall, MD, FACP

LIVESTRONG.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story.

Many period smells are totally normal, but there are a few you should tell your doctor about.

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When to See a Doctor About Period Odor

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Popular vagina myth-busting ob-gyn Dr. Jen Gunter has an amazing saying : "It's a vagina, not a piña colada!" The point being, your vagina doesn't need to smell or taste fruity — or really, like anything else besides a vagina.
That includes when you're on your period. Because you may notice that, like your vagina , your period has an odor. And you know what? Most of the time, that's actually A-OK.
Here, Taraneh Shirazian, MD , a board-certified ob-gyn with NYU Langone, breaks down different period smells and their meanings.
"The period itself is basically endometrial tissue that's built up over the course of the month. If an egg is not fertilized and implanted, that lining is released," Taraneh Shirazian, MD , a board-certified ob-gyn with NYU Langone, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
The blood is from the lining of the uterus, and it has an odor all its own — it generally smells metallic. In other words, this is a completely normal smell.
"As blood exits the vagina, especially if there's a lot of bleeding, it can change the pH of the vagina," Dr. Shirazian explains. When the normal bacterial balance of the vagina is thrown off, you may develop bacterial vaginosis , or BV. This can result in a fishy smell.
Dr. Shirazian adds that this is often "self-limiting," meaning it will go away on its own without any particular treatment.
If you don't want to wait, you can talk to your doctor about a prescription for metronidazole, an antibiotic treatment for BV. (If it's tough to get to your gyno, there are online sexual health companies, such as Wisp , where you can chat with a doc about your symptoms, see if the Rx is a good option for you and then get them shipped to your home.)
Other options include eating yogurt with active cultures or popping a probiotic.
Let's say, though, that your BV comes back every month, and you're tired of it. (BV can also itch and burn, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , so it's not exactly a walk in the park.) If your periods are also really heavy and long-lasting, talk to your doctor about options that can minimize the length and duration of your period, such as oral hormonal birth control or an intrauterine device (IUD), Dr. Shirazian says.
Some vaginal bacteria can naturally have a sweet smell, according to Women's Medical Associates of Nashville . This is nothing to worry about.
But if the scent is strong and you notice other symptoms, such as cottage cheese-like discharge , burning, dryness or itchiness, you could have a yeast infection. In that case, make an appointment with your doctor.
This kind of odor should raise a red flag.
"I've seen retained tampons that can cause a really foul smell because someone has forgotten to take them out," Dr. Shirazian says. If you think you may have a tampon stuck up there but aren't able to get it out on your own, make an appointment with your ob-gyn ASAP.
It's also possible that you have an infection. If you have pus-like, green or frothy discharge, see your doctor right away, Dr. Shirazian says.
What you want to avoid is using any sort of fragranced feminine wipe designed to freshen things up down below. "The problem with these is that they just cover up the odor. The first step is always figuring out the underlying source and treating that," Dr. Shirazian says.
Similarly, vaginal washes are risky, too. You might find that you do fine with them, but they may also throw off your vagina's pH and increase the odds of a yeast infection, she says. (Also, they're unnecessary, because, remember: Your vagina is a self-cleaning oven.) Mild soap and water do just fine, because they can cleanse the area without changing vaginal pH. Simply let soapy water run down your body in the shower.
Oh, and if you wear period underwear (which are truly wonderful, btw), you may want to consider if you need to change them or if they're being properly washed. Some styles can hold several tampon's worth of blood, but yours may need to be changed sooner. Just something worth checking.
A rotten or foul odor from your nether region warrants a trip to the ob-gyn, Dr. Shirazian says.
Have a fever? In pain? Those are additional symptoms that should spur a trip to the doctor, as these may signal an infection that needs to be evaluated and treated immediately. Docs want to make sure that something — like pelvic inflammatory disease — hasn't been overlooked.

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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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A menstrual period consists of the shedding of an unfertilized egg, blood, and uterine lining tissues. It's completely normal for this combination to have a slight odor after it exits the vagina....
The metallic scent shouldn't linger too long after your period is over. If your vagina has had contact with semen, this may change the pH level and cause a metallic smell. If you're experiencing...
Jan 31, 2022 That includes when you're on your period . Because you may notice that, like your vagina, your period has an odor . And you know what? Most of the time, that's actually A-OK. Here, Taraneh Shirazian, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn with NYU Langone, breaks down different period smells and their meanings. 1. Metallic or Like Iron
Feb 25, 2022 By Mayo Clinic Staff 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 .
These odors can happen any time during the menstrual cycle, but are sometimes pronounced during and immediately following your period . My Vagina Smells: Rotten This is a normal odor as your period marks the shedding of your uterine tissue; however, if you can smell it while sitting or walking, then it may be a cause for concern.
Two things are at play when it comes to period odor and neither of them is a reflection of the natural state of the vagina. First, your body is shedding blood, and blood has a pH of about 7, more basic than our skin's acid mantle (pH of 4.5). Next, bacteria that are commonly found in the GI tract feast on the protein and fats in menstrual blood.
Aug 22, 2020 You've probably found that your vaginal odor smells a little more intense when you're bleeding, and that's normal, Dr. Shepherd says. Blood has an elevated pH, and that can throw your vaginal flora...
Metallic odor This scent often occurs when you have your period . Normally, blood smells this way and mix with the vagina's natural state. No worries, though -- it's normal. Make sure to wash your vagina thoroughly before changing pads. Sweet odor Apparently, what you eat can affect your smell down there.
Management techniques for vaginal odor during perimenopause include avoiding douching, drinking more liquids, upping vitamin C intake, and performing vaginal massages, among others. Whereas, treatment for long-term relief will be focused on promoting hormonal balance within the body for optimal health and well-being.
Why? Because the odor has nothing to do with hygiene, says Lauren Streicher, M.D., Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. Your period blood is...
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When it comes to dealing with period odor, washing with soap and water and changing your tampon or period panties is a significant first step. But, often, a shower and new tampon or clean pair of period panties aren't enough. To truly control the external odor, you need a natural, whole-body deodorant like Lume . Lume is free of aluminum, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, gluten, corn, soy, talc, and baking soda, and it’s clinically tested and cruelty-free. Not to mention, one application of Lume can control odor for up to 72 hours.
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Vaginal Odor During Period

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