Vaginal Odor

Women tend to know when something is off when it comes to vaginal odors and infections. A fishy or yeast-like smell is noticeable to women with a vagina. Itching, swelling, tenderness, dryness, redness or a rash are signs that something is off. Seeing a healthcare provider is always a good idea when things seem persistent or different. Trust your instincts!

Bacterial vaginosis(BV)

Bacterial Vaginosis, also known as BV, is a common type of bacterial infection causing an inflamed and bothered vagina. It’s caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria that disrupts the delicate ph balance of the vagina. Circumstances that increase your risk of BV include unprotected sex, new sexual partners, douching and taking certain antibiotics. Symptoms include itching, burning, redness and swelling along with a classic fishy smelling gray or green vaginal discharge typical for BV. There are women who will not experience any vaginal symptoms associated with BV.

There is a lot of overlap in the symptoms when it comes to infections of the vagina so determining the culprit can be confusing. A yeast infection and STI’s can also have similar symptoms.

Ideally, it’s best to see your health care provider to get a vaginal culture and pelvic exam to make certain of the correct diagnosis.

BV or a STI

There are many infections of the vagina whose symptoms mimic each other. They include bacterial and yeast infections, STI’s such as Chlamydia and Trichomonas’s, skin allergies to latex or feminine hygiene products, lack of estrogen seen in menopausal women and tears in the vagina.

STI’s do not discriminate. They are spread from partner to partner by direct contact, similar to how a common cold is transmitted. At risk are those who have unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, a history of STI’s and those who are prone to alcohol or drug abuse, which affects judgment—a large deciding factor in contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

The only way to truly differentiate BV from a STI is to see your health care provider to take vaginal cultures to make the correct diagnosis. Since both BV and STI can affect future fertility, it is important to make your vagina a priority!

Foul/Fishy Vaginal Odor

Bacterial Vaginosis, also known as BV, is a common type of bacterial infection causing an inflamed, malodorous and bothered vagina. It’s caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria that disrupts the delicate pH balance of the vagina. Circumstances that increase your risk of BV include unprotected sex, new sexual partners, douching and taking certain antibiotics. Symptoms include itching, burning, redness and swelling along with a classic fishy smelling gray or green vaginal discharge typical for BV.

Can your vagina smell like “B.O”?

Masking body odor (B.O) after an intense workout is challenging since it’s a completely normal body reaction to sweating. Some people find the post-workout smell sexy and a turn-on while others don’t like it so much. Wearing clean sportswear to allow your skin to breathe is an easy remedy in lessening the sweat, bacterial and foul odor build-up while working out. Deodorant helps too! Feminine hygiene wipes work well for post work out vaginal care to prevent infections and odors.

Wearing clean sportswear to allow your skin to breathe is an easy remedy in lessening the sweat, bacterial and foul odor build-up while working out.

Where there are sweat glands, hair follicles and hair, there is sweat and with excessive sweat and heat a rash can occur. If you don’t have time to shower, I would bring a travel pack of vaginal hygiene wipes in your gym bag that can be used after working out. A quick wipe, front to back, of your vagina and bum, will remove excessive sweat and unwanted vaginal odors. Vaginal hygiene wipes are alcohol-free and hypoallergenic, clean dirt, germs and odors from all the right places and won’t increase your risk of getting a yeast or bacterial infection.

Foods Affecting the Smell of your Vagina

It’s well known that “you are what you eat” especially as it relates to your vaginal odor and hormonal balance. The good news is that there are foods that don’t disrupt the delicate pH balance and can combat offensive odors and actually add a sweet smell or taste to the vagina. Best Foods for the vagina including fresh fruits (especially pineapple!), fruit juices, whole grains, Greek yogurt and drinking plenty of water. Foods that may give off a notably offensive odor include: garlic, onions, mint, turmeric, curry, blue cheese and other fermented foods, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, vinegar, red meat and, perhaps, other foods such as eggs, liver, kidneys, seafood, fish oil, milk, peas, and soy! Nicotine, antibiotics, alcohol are also added to this list of offenders

What a slightly sweet vaginal odor indicate?

The good news is that there are foods that can combat offensive odors and actually add a sweet smell or taste to the vagina. Take note of the groceries to have handy in your refrigerator:

Fresh fruits (especially pineapple!)
Fruit juices
Vegetables (ones that are not aforementioned)
Whole grains
Greek yogurt
Plenty of water

Vaginal discharge

Normal discharge is simply a fluid that carries away dead cells and bacteria, protecting the vagina from infection. During ovulation, the slippery clear discharge helps propel the swimming sperm eager to get into the uterus so the egg can be fertilized in the fallopian tube.

This healthy discharge will appear clear to milky in color. Normal vaginal discharge can also be described as white, thin and odorless.

A couple days after your period the discharge will appear white and thick. Around Day 14, you may notice a clear, slippery, odorless discharge the consistency of egg whites. This is also completely normal, and it suggests ovulation. During puberty a milky discharge (leucorrhea) is produced. This naturally occurring discharge protects the stability of the vagina. Right before your period the white discharge will become thicker.

The key is to know what your “normal” vaginal discharge. All of us with a vagina usually know that awkward feeling if a new and strange vaginal discharge comes our way.

If something is off when it comes to vaginal discharge in color, smell, and symptoms, it is best to see your healthcare provider. Trust your instincts!

Is Douching Safe for the Vagina?

The vagina is very sensitive to changes in your daily environment, anything that affects its pH balance, will affect the smell and consistency of discharge.

Douching is a premade cleaning mixture that comes in a plastic bottle that can be squirted high up into the vagina. This internal vaginal cleaning is not a recommended routine to keep the vagina smelling fresh and clean. The active cleaning ingredients used in most douches can upset the healthy vaginal discharge and pH balance and create a yeast or bacterial infection.

Causes of vaginal Infections