How do I prevent the rotten vaginal odor?
- Change your pad or tampon, or dump your cup, every time you use the toilet, every 4-6 hours, even when your period is light.
- Treat the end of your period just like the rest of your period. Don’t leave tampons in for extended periods of time just because you’re not bleeding much. ...
How can I Stop my period from smelling?
- Consider probiotics. Probiotics, which are good-for-you bacteria, can help maintain the pH balance of your vagina. ...
- Maintain a healthy diet. ...
- Stay hydrated. ...
- Avoid douches and scrubs. ...
- Wash your genital area before and after intercourse. ...
- Cut out tight clothes. ...
- Wear cotton panties. ...
Is it normal to have a smell after period?
This is typically due to the presence of iron in the blood and is not usually a cause for concern. However, it should not persist much longer after the period ends. A person might notice a bad or rotten smell during their period, which could be a sign of a problem.
How to smell good on your period?
- You’ll want to start by eating less sugar. ...
- Avoid eating processed foods or simple carbs, such as pastries, cookies, and table sugar. ...
- Try to drink at least 12 glasses of water a day, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
What causes the smelly discharge after period?
You may have bacterial vaginosis if the “fishy” smell is accompanied by:
- burning, especially during urination
- irritation
- itchiness
- vaginal discharge outside of menstrual bleeding
What to do if your period smells?
If your period smells and you notice unusual symptoms , see your doctor. There could be something else going on.
How to stop menstrual odor?
Proper hygiene habits can help combat the usual odors associated with menstruation. This can be as simple as making sure you change tampons, liners, or pads every few hours.
What does it smell like during your period?
Any odors you might notice during your period can also fluctuate. “Healthy” periods can have a slight smell of blood. They may even have a slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria.
What does it mean when you smell fishy?
You may have bacterial vaginosis if the “fishy” smell is accompanied by:
Why does my poop smell like it's down there?
A strong odor from “down there” may be cause for worry, as it could be a sign of an infection. In such cases, the odors are accompanied by other symptoms, such as vaginal discharge or pelvic pain that’s not related to normal menstruation.
Why does my tampon smell rotten?
A “rotten” smell can occur when a tampon is left in for too long or forgotten. This can happen at the end of a period, when you don’t have to insert a new tampon as often and you have no further bleeding.
Why do women have vaginosis?
While the exact cause of this overgrowth isn’t understood, bacterial vaginosis seems to be most common in women who are sexually active. Douching may also increase your risk for this type of infection.
What to do when your period is smelling musty?
Wash your clothes. Sometimes body odor intensifies during your period and can leave your clothing smelling musty.
Why does my period smell so strong?
Check for body odor. Sometimes your hormones shift during your period, which can make your normal body odor smell stronger.
What is the most common menstrual hygiene product?
Consider using tampons . Tampons are the most common menstrual hygiene product for women in America because they are convenient and simple to use. A tampon is made of absorbent cotton and is worn inside the vagina to absorb menstrual fluid as it leaves the cervix.
How to keep your period fresh?
Just because you’re on your period doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable or worry about unpleasant odors, as there are a few simple things you can do to keep yourself feeling fresh. Use unscented baby wipes for a quick way to freshen up on the go. Shower every day using a mild soap to stay clean and hygienic. Also, remember to wear clean clothes and underwear to avoid body odors building up. If there are any fishy or foul-smelling odors associated with your period, seek medical advice. For more information about your period from our gynecologist co-author like recognizing your body’s signals, scroll down.
Why does my hair smell so bad?
Consider the weather. On very hot days, menstruation and sweat can combine to create a stronger smell than normal.
How long can you wear a tampon?
On light days, don't go more than three to four hours without changing it during the day. Again, never leave a tampon in for more than eight hours, even for overnight wear, and never wear a tampon that is a higher absorbency than you need to reduce your risk of TSS.
How to keep underwear from smelling?
Keep your underwear fresh. You can stay clean and avoid smells by changing these regularly and keeping an eye out for leaks. Wear cotton underwear. Cotton is a natural fiber that allows air to circulate properly, which can help prevent sweating and smells.
How to get rid of blood smell during period?
Additionally, during menstruation, they should change a pad every time they go to the restroom and change a tampon every few hours.
Why does my period smell fishy?
This smell is often related to an infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.
Why does my period blood smell metallic?
Period blood may smell metallic due to the presence of blood and iron.
What to do if you have a fever during your period?
A person should speak to a doctor if they experience a fever or severe pelvic pain during their period.
Does period blood smell?
Period blood can have different odors based on numerous factors. The following are common menstrual blood odors:
Do you have a period while pregnant?
People do not have a period during pregnancy, but should still be aware of vaginal health.
Is it normal to smell during your period?
Certain smells during a person’s period are completely normal. The vagina is an acidic environment with a balance of bacteria that produce odor. Some smells, such as a fishy or rotten smell, are unusual, and a person experiencing them should see a doctor for further investigation.
In This Article
Popular vagina myth-busting ob-gyn Dr. Jen Gunter has an amazing saying: "It's a vagina, not a piña colada!" The point being, your vagina doesn't need to smell or taste fruity — or really, like anything else besides a vagina.
1. Metallic or Like Iron
"The period itself is basically endometrial tissue that's built up over the course of the month. If an egg is not fertilized and implanted, that lining is released," Taraneh Shirazian, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn with NYU Langone, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
2. Fishy
"As blood exits the vagina, especially if there's a lot of bleeding, it can change the pH of the vagina," Dr. Shirazian explains. When the normal bacterial balance of the vagina is thrown off, you may develop bacterial vaginosis, or BV. This can result in a fishy smell.
3. Sweet
Some vaginal bacteria can naturally have a sweet smell, according to Women's Medical Associates of Nashville. This is nothing to worry about.
What to Do About Period Odor
What you want to avoid is using any sort of fragranced feminine wipe designed to freshen things up down below. "The problem with these is that they just cover up the odor. The first step is always figuring out the underlying source and treating that," Dr. Shirazian says.
When to See a Doctor About Period Odor
A rotten or foul odor from your nether region warrants a trip to the ob-gyn, Dr. Shirazian says.
Is This an Emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. If you think you may have COVID-19, use the CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker .
Why does my period smell?
This is a normal odor as your period marks the shedding of your uterine tissue; however, if you can smell it while sitting or walking, then it may be a cause for concern. This intense odor is often associated with not changing your pad or tampon, or dumping your cup, frequently enough. As your period winds down, you may feel the need to worry about your hygiene less, but this is usually when cups and tampons are left in for too long, resulting in a pungent ‘decay’ odor.
What are the three odors that women experience during their period?
Most women suffer from the following three odors at some point in their adulthood: rotten, fishy, metallic. These odors can happen any time during the menstrual cycle, but are sometimes pronounced during and immediately following your period.
Why don't you leave tampons in?
Don’t leave tampons in for extended periods of time just because you’re not bleeding much. If your vagina is too dry to insert a tampon frequently, use smaller sizes of tampons so there is less absorbency. If your cup doesn’t slide in as easily, get your cup slightly wet or use lubricant.
Why do my tampons smell like decay?
As your period winds down, you may feel the need to worry about your hygiene less, but this is usually when cups and tampons are left in for too long, resulting in a pungent ‘decay’ odor.
Why does my period smell metallic?
Toward the end of your period, the metallic odor is usually caused by pH changes in your vagina and the discharge containing that different pH. I experienced this issue a lot during the last year that I wore tampons– with tampons, the abnormal pH discharge sits against the vaginal wall, absorbed in the tampon.
What does it smell like when your socks get wet?
It’s like if your shoes and socks get wet and you wear them all day– your socks are going to be very aromatic by the time you get home, and every pair of socks you put on inside those wet shoes will smell that way until the shoes aren’t wet anymore.
Can you use perfume on your vagina?
Do not use perfumes or scented washes on your vagina. Do not douche. Ever. Do not wash the inside of your vagina– the inside of your vagina is self cleaning so cleaning inside of it will disrupt the flora and potentially make the odor worse. When using unscented soap, only use it on the outside.
