The most common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor are: Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection that's caused by an imbalance in your vagina's flora. BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex.
You might smell fishy after intercourse, due to semen interacting with your vaginal fluids. Trichomoniasis. Men and women can get an infection called trichomoniasis. It's caused by a parasite, is sexually transmitted and can cause premature delivery in pregnant women.
Sex: Semen has a high pH and can alter your vaginal scent pretty quickly after intercourse, and can vary with sexual partner. The higher pH can cause organisms associated with Bacterial vaginosis, to proliferate which can temporarily cause a slightly (or significantly) fishy vaginal odor.
Trimethylaminuria (trī-meth'il-am-i-nyūr'ē-ă) is a metabolic disorder that makes your sweat, breath, saliva and pee smell like rotten fish. Metabolic disorders affect how your body processes nutrients and enzymes. Healthcare providers may refer to this condition as TMAU or fish odor syndrome. There's no cure for TMAU.
Sometimes, just taking a shower or bath and changing your underwear and pants can help get rid of a fishy vaginal smell. If you don't have time to take a bath or shower, use a warm washcloth and wipe down the area until you do. It's important to include the folds between your legs and belly, as they can trap odor.
We get it — it's a common problem, but sometimes it can make you self-conscious (“wait, can other people smell that, too?!”) and affect your confidence. Inner thigh odor is caused by various factors, including excessive sweating, fungal infections, poor hygiene, and hormonal changes.
During your cycle and before the start of your period, your hormones fluctuate. This is totally normal and can change the bacteria and acidity levels of your vaginal flora. This might change the smell of your vagina and discharge, and you may even describe it as fishy.
Ask to speak in private. Be direct (“I'm not sure if you're aware of this but you have a strong odor about you.”) Reserve judgment ( “I don't know if it's from your clothing or if it's a personal hygiene issue.”) Open the conversation (“Are you aware of this issue?
Once semen has entered the cervix, there is no scientifically proven way to remove it. Urinating, showering, bathing, or using vinegar are purely anecdotal methods of removing semen from the vagina after sex. Research does not support their effectiveness, and some of these approaches may cause irritation.
Recent research suggested that heterosexual men can smell women's sexual arousal. A recent academic paper claimed that women produce a unique scent when sexually aroused, and that men can pick up on it. Not only can men pick up on it, but this effect is huge.
Your fluids are mixing with another person's fluids—you're both wet, probably a little sweaty, swapping spit, the whole shebang. Plus, if semen is involved and winds up inside you, it has a higher pH compared to the pH range your vagina should be in, Dr. Streicher says, so that can cause an odor to develop.
The truth is that when everything's normal, no one else smells any odors from a girl's vagina. If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. But even then, it's unlikely that people around her will notice it.
So we've established that men cannot suffer from or display the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. But can they still carry and spread the infection? While men cannot catch BV, they can still carry the bacteria that causes infection in their penis.
Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a “fishy” smell. Discharge from yeast infections doesn't usually have a strong smell but may look like cottage cheese. Vaginal irritation: Typically, BV doesn't cause vaginal irritation or itchiness. Yeast infections do.
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is an uncommon condition that causes an unpleasant, fishy smell. It's also called "fish odour syndrome". Sometimes it's caused by faulty genes that a person inherits from their parents, but this isn't always the case. There's currently no cure, but there are things that can help.
Primary trimethylaminuria (fish odour syndrome) is a metabolic disorder that can be exacerbated by menstruation, specific medications or the intake of choline-rich foods. More common causes of a fishy odour include poor hygiene, gingivitis, vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and advanced liver and kidney disease.
Why is my vagina wet? The vagina is a mucous membrane, which means that the skin and tissue of a healthy vagina are always moist. Hormonal changes, arousal, and other factors can affect the wetness of the vagina. Typically, the inside of the vagina feels slightly wet.
Does estrogen have a smell? Estrogen doesn't have a scent, but hormonal changes during menopause can alter body odor. As estrogen drops and testosterone becomes more dominant, sweat may attract more bacteria, leading to stronger smells, particularly during hot flashes.
To help eliminate bacterial vaginosis naturally, consider taking probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus species, to restore vaginal flora balance, and using natural remedies like boric acid suppositories or tea tree oil.
BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex. Another common symptom to look out for with BV is a gray or grayish-white discharge. Trichomoniasis: A sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite.
Our vaginas are home to billions of bacteria and the balance of this bacteria changes constantly, creating different aromas varying from musty and fermented to coppery or sweet smelling. These smell variations are likely a result of your menstrual cycle, your hygiene habits, or just you.
Medical conditions. Osmidrosis or bromhidrosis is defined by a foul odor due to a water-rich environment that supports bacteria, which is caused by an abnormal increase in perspiration (hyperhidrosis). This can be particularly strong when it happens in the axillary region (underarms).