Period FAQs

why can i smell my period before it comes

by Dr. Berenice Brown III Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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A person might notice a smell that is similar to body odor during their period. This is due to the presence of apocrine sweat glands in the genital region. Apocrine sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin to produce body odor.

Full Answer

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.

Why do people smell fishy on their period?

Sometimes, a fishy vaginal odor crops up just before the start of your period, due to changing bacteria and acidity levels. During menstruation, the blood (which has an elevated pH) and uterine lining mix with vaginal microflora, subtly altering the smell. Because of this, you might also notice a fishy vaginal odor after your period.

Why is period poop so weird?

When your progesterone drops, your body has more to get out than usual. You can also blame PMS eating habits and that progesterone drop for your smelly period poops. If your eating habits change during the days leading up to your period, you'll see — and smell — the result in the toilet.

Why does my period blood smell sweet this month?

Sweet. A sweet smell in the period blood is likely due to the acidic environment and the presence of bacteria in the vagina. Body odor. A person might notice a smell that is similar to body odor ...

Why Do I Smell Bad Before My Period?

Why does my sex smell like coitus?

What can I eat to make my vagina smell better?

Why does my vagina smell musky?

What to do if you smell different after eating?

How to stop smelling down there?

What does it mean when your vagina smells fishy?

See 2 more

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What can cause a strong vaginal odor just before starting period?

Nelson, my mom is old fashioned and very superstitious, so she thought it was the birth control too. And now that you mentioned it, I was off the BCP and then on again for like a month or so and during the 2 months that I was taking the BCP I didn't notice a smell during my period.

Bad odor before period | Answers from Doctors | HealthTap

"hi i have a weird smell before my period it's not fishy nor too bad . do women usually change odors before period ?" Answered by Dr. John Berryman: Vaginal odor: Usual pre-menstrual odors are secondary to infection. Ba...

"Strong smelling urine prior to a period? Any thoughts?": Women ... - WebMD

I've had very strong smelling urine prior to my period for a while now. Generally, I have off and on cramping for the week before my period, and for the past few years, I have generally had strong smelling urine, even though I keep myself adequately hydrated.

Can you smell your period before it comes? - Glow Community

So this is an odd question but I can always smell the period blood before my period actually arrives. Mind you, sometimes its all outta wack because I'm irregular.

Why do women smell before their period?

Before a woman's period begins, their is a change in hormones, which is one main reason a woman's odor might change days before menstruation.

How many stages of menstruation do women have?

A woman's smell can change, depending on which stage of menstruation she's in. There are four stages in a woman's menstrual cycle: menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase.

Do women on birth control smell better?

Women who are on birth control don't release the same smell as women who aren't on the pill. Women on birth control don't smell better or worse, they just don't release any smell whatsoever. The more you know.

Do men prefer ovulating women?

According to a study published by Oxford Academic, "If men do have an adaptation of detecting the timing of ovulation, they should be able to prefer ovulating women in the situating in which they can compare the attractiveness of odors between different women.".

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 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.

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.

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.

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 do i smell bad before my period?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

How many days does a woman have her period?

Early cycle: Most women have a 28 day menstrual cycle however it is not uncommon for some women to have a 21 day cycle so it's possible that you are having your pe ... Read More

What is the most common discharge with "fishy" or "rotten" odor?

Bacterial vaginosis?: The most common discharge with "fishy" or "rotten" odor is bacterial vaginosis. BV is overgrowth of mostly normal bacteria. It's not an STD, but more ... Read More

Does ceftin have a metallic smell?

Partial answer: This isn't area of expertise--but I do know that Ceftin (cefuroxime) does produces metallic smell in secretions, often leaves that kind of taste in th ... Read More

Why does my period smell so bad?

I agree that the menstrual blood has its own smell (somewhat metal-like) which is no different from the blood flowing in any other organ of your body, but the bad period smell develops when the bacteria (accumulated due to moisture) start taking over.

Why does my vagina smell like fish?

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. If you notice a fishy odor or sense that something’s off, talk to your doctor. A bad smell down there could be indicative of a yeast infection or Trichomona s.

Why is period blood stretchy?

Period blood is stretchier than regular blood and it has clots. This is because it also has vaginal discharge in it. I don’t like it stretchy and clot-filled so I dip the blood in water and drink it like that.

What is menstrual blood made of?

First, menstrual blood is made of both blood and tissue that sheds from the uterus. When menstrual blood mixes with our own bodies, bacteria and odor may develop. ...

Why do sanitary pads smell?

If you use sanitary pads or tampons, the smell is even more prominent because these products absorb blood, and amplify

Why does my PH go down during my menses?

Many of the girls experience this due to certain fluids released by the body during menses . The cause could be due to consumption of junk food, it could also be if the PH balance goes of down there due to the use of harsh chemicals or soaps while washing it as it can throw the PH off balance or perhaps virginal injections that can be caused due to many reasons often come n go otherwise.

Is it okay to smell your period?

It’s completely fine if the blood has some odour. But, if the period smell is unbearable then it does indicate some underlying health conditions that need immediate medical atten

Why does my period smell like blood?

Sometimes excess vitamins or mineral supplements give out period smell from your body. Sometimes packed food contains fortified vitamins and minerals, so when you eat it excessively, the blood will become rich in minerals. When you sweat out, it smells like blood. 3.

What to do if your odor is bad?

If the odor is really foul, or continues definitely check with your doctor. If its just unpleasant try those things and as your doc at your next visit.

Is the smell you smell a null hypothesis?

Unless she is literally always on her period (in which case the smell would be explained by the presence of menstruation), the smell you are noticing is probably an example of a Null Hypothesis, in which the observed phenomenon is indistinguishable from random noise, and in which there is no relationship between odor and menstruation, and/or no difference between menstrual vs non-menstrual odor-states.

Do vaginas smell like flowers?

Now, coming to your question of you loving the smell of your period blood. Vaginas aren’t meant to smell like a bed of flowers, despite what conventional tampon commercials might make you think. The blood your body discharged during periods, mixes with the chemicals used in sanitary napkins or tampons and can develop a metallic smell.

Does period blood smell?

Let me first debunk the myth that period blood has a smell of its own. While we each have our own unique scent, menstrual blood itself has no odor. It’s made of blood and tissue that sheds from your uterus, and when mixed with the naturally occurring bacteria in your body, may smell a little less than fresh.

Does menstrual blood go back to normal?

The normal acid loving bacteria take a back seat and the odor causing bacteria take over a bit. Usually it goes back to normal after your period ends.

Can you use cotton pads for menstruation?

If you adventurous and currently using commercial pads, you can try using a menstrual cup which catches the blood before it leaves your body, not exposing odor causing bacteria to it to air. It should not smell at all when changing your cup. Cotton cloth pads without the plastic lined bottom and bleaches used in commercial pads are an option.

Why does my underarm smell bad?

Dr. Riobe continues, “This can also be a sign of hormone imbalances such as estrogen dominance from low progesterone. “Poor diet can also cause bad underarm odor.”.

How to get rid of underarm smell?

One more thing you can do to help curb smelly underarms that occur right before menstruation is to work a quarter teaspoon a day of nutmeg into your diet. This spice is good for the liver. Dr. Riobe has helped thousands of patients overcome difficult illnesses by addressing root causes, not just masking symptoms.

Can a breeze blow the smell of a cigarette into your face?

The smell could be so bad that if the sufferer is standing in the wind, the breeze could actually blow the odor into her face.

Does smoking make your armpits stink?

Smoking causes enough of a bad stink without mixing in with armpit odor. If you want a de-stressor, you’re better off having a few donuts than a cigarette. • Have a glass of homemade lemonade sweetened with Stevia every day. Lemons help detoxify. • Limit intake of processed foods.

Do your armpits get really stinky right before your period and you dread going to work and social situations?

Even if you’ve managed to find a strong deodorant that actually masks this problem, having really stinky underarms right before menstruation is a troublesome , though benign, problem.

Why Do I Smell Bad Before My Period?

Each individual has his own unique scent that varies depending on that person’s hygiene, diet , and even genetics. On the other hand, many women notice that their natural scent changes during their menstruation cycles.

Why does my sex smell like coitus?

If the scent increases post-coitus or it is followed by an abnormal discharge, the scent may be caused by a bacterial infection. In such cases, it is best to consult your doctor immediately. Some women experienced having this particular scent. According to experts, this is due to the use of lubricants or condoms.

What can I eat to make my vagina smell better?

Make sure to wash your vagina thoroughly before changing pads. Apparently, what you eat can affect your smell down there. For example, eating citrus fruits are said to sweeten the taste of your vaginal fluids. On the contrary, asparagus, onions, garlic and broccoli can make you taste and smell “eew” down there.

Why does my vagina smell musky?

Among common vaginal whiffs include the following: Musky odor. You may notice a musky smell especially after you just have sweated a lot. This is due to moisture that is released by your sweat glands around your vaginal area. Therefore, make sure to shower after an intense workout and change into fresher clothes.

What to do if you smell different after eating?

If you notice that you smell different after eating certain foods, try changing it preferably with more whole foods. If that does not change that weird smell, you may want to consider consulting your doctor about it.

How to stop smelling down there?

Likewise, you can do the following to prevent getting smelly down there: Change tampons / sanitary napkin / panty liners often to prevent bacteria growth.

What does it mean when your vagina smells fishy?

However, your pH level changes before, during, and after menstrual period, as well as when you engage in sexual activity. In effect, your vagina’s pH levels become basic, causing it to emit a fishy scent down there.

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