Vaginal Odor

A slightly tangy or sour aroma, similar to the smell of some fermented foods, is normal. This is due to the presence of the “lactobacilli” bacteria that dominates most healthy vaginas. This bacteria helps keep the vagina acidic, protecting against the growth of bad bacteria.

The Most Common Vaginal Odors
(And Why They Happen)

Your vagina is home to sweat glands and billions of bacteria – and that’s normal! The vagina is not supposed to smell fresh or flowery, but can have a lot of different scents that vary based on your menstrual cycle, hormones, personal vaginal flora, and more. Read below for a few common vaginal odors and why they happen so that you can stay more informed.

1. Tangy Or Fermented Smell

A slightly tangy or sour aroma, similar to the smell of some fermented foods, is normal. This is due to the presence of the “lactobacilli” bacteria that dominates most healthy vaginas. This bacteria helps keep the vagina acidic, protecting against the growth of bad bacteria.

2. Coppery “Penny” Smell

This is usually due to the presence of blood from menstruation, or small cuts or scrapes during sex due to vaginal dryness. It’s nothing to worry about, unless you continue to experience bleeding that’s unrelated to your period or a lot of itching/discharge.

3. A Sweet Smell

Some of the bacteria in the vagina can cause a slightly sweet smell. However, if it smells very sweet and you notice a discharge that looks like cottage cheese, this could indicate a yeast infection, particularly if it’s accompanied by feelings of burning, dryness, and itchiness.

4. Body Odor Or Sweaty Armpit Smells

Women have a high concentration of sweat glands around the outside of the vagina on the labia majora. These “apocrine glands” are similar to those found in the armpits, and can produce a fluid that reacts to the presence of vaginal bacteria to create a pungent, “body odor” aroma. This is nothing to be concerned about.

5. Pungent “Fishy” Smell

You have likely heard an abnormal vaginal odor described as “fishy” before. The chemical trimethylamine is what’s responsible for the smell of rotting fish, and can be the cause of some vaginal odors, too.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of the growth of anaerobic bacteria that can cause a rotting fish smell. Or, trichomoniasis, the most common curable STI, could be the cause of this smell. Either way, a very stinky rotting fish smell is not normal – see your gyno right away!

Still Concerned? Come To Women’s Medical Associates Of Nashville!

At Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville, our team is always here to give you peace of mind. Some vaginal odors are normal, but if you are experiencing other symptoms or have an abnormal odor for an extended period of time, you should come and see one of our doctors right away. It never hurts to be cautious about your reproductive health – give us a call at (615) 329-6745 or contact us online to get started.

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Vaginal Odor

All vaginas — including healthy ones — have a mild odor. Your vaginal scent can change in response to sex, menstruation, pregnancy, etc. However, a strong, unpleasant vaginal odor with a discharge may be a sign of a health problem like vaginitis. A course of antibiotics is often all that’s needed to treat the condition and get rid of the smell.

Overview

What is abnormal vaginal odor?

All vaginas naturally produce scents. The smells that your vagina emits communicate information about your lifestyle, activities and overall health. For instance, vaginal odor often varies throughout your menstrual cycle. Vaginal discharge often smells most pronounced midcycle. Your vagina may give off a stronger odor after intercourse or a workout. Everyone’s vagina has a unique scent, and that’s completely normal.

A strong unfamiliar and unpleasant odor — especially one that continues for several days and smells fishy – isn’t normal. A smelly vaginal odor may be a symptom of a health problem, especially when it accompanies other symptoms like a grayish-white vaginal discharge, burning and itching.

Possible Causes

What causes vaginal odor?

Your vaginal odor often depends on your pH level, or how acidic your vagina is. Various types of bacteria live in your vagina. They make up what’s called your vaginal flora. These bacteria exist in a delicate balance to keep your vagina at the right acidity (pH) level. Having a healthy pH prevents infections that cause a foul vaginal odor. On the other hand, imbalance in your vaginal flora may cause your vagina to smell fishy, musty or generally unpleasant.

Normal vaginal odors

Many vaginal odors signal short-term shifts in your pH level and aren’t cause for concern. For example:

• A vaginal odor that smells slightly sour or tangy may be a sign that the pH level in your vaginal flora is slightly more acidic than is typical. This smell is associated with the good bacteria in your vagina, lactobacilli. Some people describe the odor as yeasty, similar to sourdough bread.
• A slightly sweet or bittersweet smell, like molasses or gingerbread, may also be a sign that your pH levels have changed.
• Your vaginal discharge may smell slightly metallic — like copper pennies — when you’re menstruating. This is because period blood contains iron.
• A vagina that smells like ammonia may be a sign that there’s urine residue on your genitals (vulva) or that you’re dehydrated.
• A skunk-like scent or a smell similar to body odor may be a sign that you’re stressed and your sweat glands are working overtime.

Temporary vaginal odor is common and often resolves on its own. Odors may be related to hormonal changes or even diet. For example, foods with a strong odor, like garlic or fish, can cause odor changes in your vagina.

However, an unpleasant odor that doesn’t go away may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Abnormal vaginal odors

An imbalance in your vaginal bacterial levels can lead to infection and inflammation, a condition called vaginitis. The most common types of vaginitis that cause unpleasant vaginal odors produce other symptoms, too, like an abnormal vaginal discharge.

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. 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. Trich doesn’t always cause symptoms. When it does, it can cause a fishy odor, similar to BV, or a musty smell. Another common symptom of Trich is a greenish-yellow discharge.

Rarely, vaginal odor is a symptom of:

• Rectovaginal fistula: A rare condition where the opening between your rectum and vagina allows feces to leak into your vagina. The leakage causes a foul-smelling discharge.
• Vaginal cancer: Symptoms include heavy vaginal discharge with a strong odor.
• Cervical cancer: Symptoms can include a strong, bad-smelling discharge.

If you forget to remove a tampon, you may eventually notice an odor like rotten meat. The smell goes away once you or a healthcare provider removes the tampon.

What causes vaginal odor during pregnancy?

Vaginitis is a common cause of unpleasant vaginal smells during pregnancy. Still, other factors may also make you notice new smells down there. Many people report a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy. In addition, cravings may cause you to eat different foods, affecting your vagina’s scent. Increased blood flow to your vagina and changing levels of pregnancy hormones, like estrogen, progesterone and prolactin can affect your pH level and cause new smells.

Postpartum vaginal odor is common. As your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy state, it releases blood, mucus and other debris related to pregnancy called lochia. Lochia has a stale, metallic musty odor similar to period blood.