Bushra Griffith
Vaginal odor is a common concern for many people, and it's important to know that all vaginas, including healthy ones, have a mild and natural scent. This scent can vary due to several factors, including the menstrual cycle, hormones, personal vaginal flora, diet, and hygiene habits. While a faint cheese-like smell could be considered normal, a strong odor accompanied by other symptoms may indicate an underlying condition. For example, bacterial vaginosis can cause a strong fishy or rotten smell, while a yeast infection may result in a sweet or yeasty scent. Other possible causes of a strong cheese-like odor include urinary tract infections, changes in pH levels, or the presence of foreign objects. It is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns or notice unusual symptoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, forgotten tampon, urine residue, stress, hormonal changes, diet, menstruation, pregnancy, pH levels, medications, supplements, age, hygiene |
| Treatment | Antibiotics, antifungal medication, mild unscented soap, daily showers, cotton underwear, breathable fabric |
| Smell comparison | Rotten meat, fermented foods, ammonia, bleach, body odour, fish |
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What You'll Learn
The presence of microbes and bacteria
The vagina is home to billions of bacteria, and a mild odour is to be expected. The vagina should be acidic, with a pH of 3.8 to 4.5 for non-menopausal women and 4.5 to 6 for menopausal women. This acidity is maintained by good bacteria, which protect against the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Lactobacilli, a type of good bacteria, is dominant in most healthy vaginas and gives off a tangy or sour aroma, similar to fermented foods like yoghurt, sourdough bread, and sour beer.
However, an imbalance in vaginal bacterial levels can lead to infections and inflammation, a condition called vaginitis. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of abnormal vaginal odours, characterised by the growth of anaerobic bacteria that produce a strong, fishy smell. This can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Additionally, trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, can cause a pungent fishy odour and is treated with antibiotics as well.
Other infections that can cause abnormal odours include yeast infections, also known as thrush. Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of the candida yeast naturally present in the vagina, and it can result in a yeasty or sweet smell, along with white, thick, cottage cheese-like discharge, and itching or irritation. Medications, diet, and supplements can also impact the vaginal flora and contribute to odour changes.
It is important to note that subtle shifts in vaginal fragrance can be natural and may be influenced by factors such as the menstrual cycle, hygiene habits, and hormonal changes. However, if you experience a strong, unpleasant odour with other symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
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Yeast infections
It is important to remember that vaginas are meant to smell like vaginas, and not like scented intimate wash products, pineapple juice, fruit salad, or flowers. A healthy vagina is supposed to have a slight odor, and this scent can change daily.
A strong, unpleasant vaginal odor with a discharge may be a sign of a yeast infection. If the vaginal odor is very sweet and accompanied by a discharge that looks like cottage cheese, this could be indicative of a yeast infection, particularly if there are also feelings of burning, dryness, and itchiness. Yeast infections are common and can be treated with over-the-counter pills, creams, gels, and treatments.
A fishy smell is often associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common and easily treatable infection caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in the vagina. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, is also known for its pungent fishy odor. In rare cases, a fishy smell can indicate a more serious condition.
Other causes of an unpleasant vaginal odor include hormonal changes, diet, and personal hygiene habits. For example, foods with a strong odor, like garlic or fish, can cause odor changes in the vagina. Urine residue on the genitals or dehydration can cause an ammonia-like smell, and stress can also cause a stronger body odor-like scent. During pregnancy, increased blood flow to the vagina and changing levels of hormones can affect the pH level and cause new smells.
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Trichomoniasis
The infection is known for its pungent and unusual fishy odour, which is a very distinct, putrid smell. This is caused by the chemical trimethylamine, which is the same chemical compound responsible for the distinct aroma of rotting fish. The infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Pregnant people with trichomoniasis are at risk of complications such as early delivery and low birth weights. According to one study, trichomoniasis was associated with a 30% increase in low-birth-weight infants and a 30% increase in preterm birth.
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Urinary incontinence
A healthy vagina is supposed to have a mild, slightly tangy or sour aroma. This is due to the presence of "lactobacilli" bacteria, which are found in healthy fermented foods like yoghurt and sourdough bread. However, an unpleasant odour that doesn't go away may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.
There are several strategies to control incontinence odours, including:
- Maintaining good personal hygiene by regularly cleansing the genital area with mild soap and warm water, and keeping the area dry to prevent bacterial growth.
- Using odour-neutralising pads and pants with high absorbency can help manage larger volumes of urine, reducing the risk of leaks and subsequent odours.
- Lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes, can help minimise the foul smell associated with urine. Drinking a healthy amount of water (6-8 glasses per day) is recommended to dilute urine and reduce or eliminate its odour.
- Using the right type and size of incontinence product for your needs, with a proper fit, is crucial to prevent bladder leaks and provide optimal protection.
- Wearing breathable, moisture-wicking clothing can aid in keeping the skin dry and minimizing urine odours.
- Vitamin C pills help naturally deodorize urine, while specialty ingestible incontinence products are also available to help neutralize urine odour.
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Menstrual cycle
It is normal for vaginal odour to fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. During menstruation, the vagina may smell metallic due to the presence of iron in the blood and tissue breakdown in the uterus. This coppery, metallic odour is usually nothing to worry about and should not linger too long after the period is over.
The vagina is home to billions of bacteria, and the precise makeup of this bacteria changes daily and even hourly. The smell variations are likely a result of the menstrual cycle, hygiene habits, or just natural differences. A healthy vagina will typically have a mild odour, and it is common for them to produce a tangy or sour aroma, which some compare to the smell of fermented foods. This is due to the presence of good bacteria, such as Lactobacilli, which keeps bad bacteria out.
However, a strong, unpleasant vaginal odour with a discharge may be a sign of a health problem like vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, or a yeast infection. A fishy odour is commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis, and other symptoms can include vaginal itching and a grey-white-green discharge. A strong, unfamiliar odour that persists for several days and smells like rotting fish is not normal and could indicate an infection or more serious disease, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or cervical cancer.
Other factors can also cause changes in vaginal odour, such as diet, stress, and anxiety. Eating certain foods with a strong odour, like garlic, onions, or asparagus, can temporarily affect the scent of vaginal discharge. When stressed or anxious, the apocrine glands produce a milky fluid that, when it comes into contact with vaginal bacteria, can produce a pungent aroma. Urinary residue on the genitals or dehydration can also cause a chemical-like or ammonia smell.
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Frequently asked questions
The pH of semen is naturally higher than the ideal vaginal pH, so semen can temporarily shift the pH of the vagina, giving way to a fishy, meaty, or cheesy smell. A cheesy smell can also be caused by smegma, which is an accumulation of oils, skin cells, sweat, and other fluids. Smegma can be prevented and treated by regularly cleaning your genitals.
The vagina is home to sweat glands and billions of bacteria, so it is normal for vaginas to produce a tangy or sour aroma, similar to the smell of fermented foods like yoghurt, sourdough bread, and sour beer. Vaginal odour can also change with your menstrual cycle, hormones, and personal vaginal flora.
A fishy smell can be a symptom of bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in the vagina. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, is also known for its pungent fishy odour. A bleach-like or ammonia-like odour could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bacterial vaginosis. A strong, unusual, or abnormally foul smell could be a sign of a yeast infection, which produces a thick, white discharge that can look like cottage cheese.
