Unpleasant vaginal odor – what can it mean?

Vaginal biocenosis – priceless balance

In order to quickly notice changes in the smell of intimate areas, it is useful to know the normal smell and appearance of vaginal discharge. In a healthy person, it has a neutral, slightly sour smell, and is usually clear or whitish. Its color, smell, and taste change slightly with the menstrual cycle - during fertile days, the amount of mucus increases and it becomes thinner, and its smell - less sour. The acidic environment of the vagina serves to maintain its health - it does not favor the development of harmful microorganisms. Lactic acid bacteria are responsible for maintaining this condition, but sometimes they are missing and the balance in the bacterial flora is disturbed. An unpleasant smell and an unusual color of mucus are then one of the first signs of such a problem.

When and why does unpleasant vaginal odor occur?

The unpleasant smell of intimate areas is most often associated with an imbalance in bacterial flora, which can be influenced by many factors. These include, for example, diet, hygiene and lifestyle, which are aspects that we usually have influence on - to deal with unpleasant odour, it is often enough to review your daily habits. Fungal and bacterial infections can also be the source of unpleasant odour. Let's take a look at what unpleasant vaginal odour signals in different forms.

Read also our text about the structure of the vagina .

Fishy vaginal odor

A fishy vaginal odor indicates a bacterial infection , which is associated with an insufficient amount of lactic acid bacteria. As a result of this deficiency, harmless bacteria, such as Gardnerella vaginalis , can multiply without major obstacles. In the case of a severe infection, in addition to the fishy odor, additional symptoms appear, such as burning and itching in the intimate areas, fatigue, general malaise, increased body temperature and grayish, yellowish or greenish discharge. Fortunately, this disease, quite ominously called bacterial vaginosis, is curable, and treatment is based on local antibiotic therapy. So if you smell a fishy vaginal odor, do not ignore it - untreated vaginosis facilitates the development of sexually transmitted diseases and is also a threat to pregnant people, as it can lead to premature rupture of the membranes, miscarriage or developmental disorders of the fetus.

What causes sour vaginal odor?

A sour vaginal odor may be a sign of an intimate infection caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It is often accompanied by troublesome vaginal discharge - greenish or yellowish, foamy - as well as pain in intimate areas. Trichomoniasis is transmitted through contact with the secretions of the carrier, so most often (but not only) through sexual intercourse. We will also overcome this problem with the help of appropriately selected pharmacotherapy, and in order to avoid its recurrence, the treatment should also include our partner.

The smell of onion from the vagina

If the unpleasant odor from the vagina reminds us of onion or garlic, the first thing to do is... look at the meals consumed in the last few days. Allicin may be responsible - a substance released from these vegetables that has a strong bactericidal effect. Lactobacilli are not resistant to its action, so allicin takes over and spreads its characteristic smell. However, if the odor lasts longer than a few days and hygiene procedures do not help to get rid of it, it may be a sign of more serious imbalances in bacterial flora.

The smell of bread and yeast from the vagina

The smell of yeast indicates a fungal infection. The inflammation is caused by Candida fungi , some of which inhabit almost every vagina and are not a cause for concern, because the lactic acid bacteria and other "good" bacteria mentioned many times make sure that they do no harm. When they are missing, the fungi multiply, which can result in vaginal mycosis . This sounds quite serious, but in most cases it is completely curable (although relapses do occur within a fairly short time), and treatment is usually based on ointments or suppositories selected by a gynecologist.

The smell of rotten flesh from the vagina

Some people complain that their intimate areas give off an unpleasant smell of rotting meat. The compounds responsible for this smell, putrescine and cadaverine, are compounds that are created during the putrefactive process of protein. Fortunately, this does not mean that we turn into zombies. A meaty vaginal odor is a rare phenomenon that appears during menstruation, i.e. during the excretion of protein-rich matter. Proper hygiene and frequent replacement oftampons or pads should remedy this phenomenon.

What else could cause unpleasant vaginal odor?

The cause of unpleasant vaginal odor may also be a number of factors not directly related to specific health problems. How to recognize them? First, let's pay attention to our intimate hygiene - and it's not about scrubbing yourself clean with all available means, sometimes quite the opposite. Sometimes it's washing too intensively that causes unpleasant odor, because in this way we disturb the natural bacterial flora, which cannot keep up with its duties, and we risk a vaginal infection. Therefore, the overriding principle of intimate hygiene is moderation - washing only what is on the outside, using cosmetics with the right pH, wearing underwear made of breathable materials or giving it up when possible (for example during sleep), and during menstruation using safe hygiene products (such as our products, which you can find here ).

The balance of the bacterial environment is not without influence of periodic changes, such as illnesses, changes in environment or dietary issues (a diet rich in simple sugars promotes the development of infections). If a suspicious smell appears while traveling, it is likely that we suddenly use different water for washing, eat differently than usual and our daily schedule has completely changed. It is possible that the unpleasant odor from the vagina will disappear when we return to our daily habits. However, if days and weeks pass and nothing changes, you should consider treatment.

Unpleasant vaginal odor - treatment of intimate infections

It is best to get rid of unpleasant vaginal odor, or rather the problems of which it is a symptom, under medical care - then we will know its exact cause, and the treatment applied will be safer and more effective. However, if for some reason we cannot seek professional help, in pharmacies we will find over-the-counter medications that will relieve inflammation and help get rid of unpleasant odor of intimate areas. We can also take prebiotics (which, unlike probiotics, do not contain strains of bacteria, but substances supporting existing bacteria) and probiotics (for example with the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain ) supporting the reconstruction of proper bacterial flora. They are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding people , although - to avoid any adverse effects - read the leaflet carefully before use, and it is best to go to a doctor for advice.

Unpleasant vaginal odor can be an embarrassing problem, and a diagnosis like vaginal yeast sounds pretty scary. Fortunately, there is a very good chance that the disturbing infections can be completely cured, and the smell of yeast or garlic will only accompany us in the kitchen.