Period FAQs

why can i smell my period but others can't

by Olin Tromp Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. It’s normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. The resulting “rotten” smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldn’t be strong enough for others to detect.

The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. It's normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. The resulting “rotten” smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldn't be strong enough for others to detect.

Full Answer

Why does your period smell like something dead in You?

Your period can produce an odor, which may even be different month to month. Some women report that their period “smells like death,” though this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria.

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 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 does my period blood have funny and strong smell?

You have your period. You’ve probably found that your vaginal odor smells a little more intense when you’re bleeding, and that’s normal, Dr. Shepherd says. Blood has an elevated pH, and that can throw your vaginal flora off a little during your period. Usually it’s not a huge change in scent, and it goes away once your period wraps up, she says.

Why Do Periods Smell a Certain Way?

Does silicone cup make odor?

Do bears like menstrual blood?

Can you smell your period?

Can I Use Scented Menstrual Products?

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Can only you smell your period?

Myth No. 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.

Is it weird to smell your period blood?

As mentioned earlier, a healthy flow can have a metallic smell, similar to a copper coin. This is typically due to a large amount of iron in the blood and isn't usually a cause for concern.

What should your period smell like?

While each body is different, healthy period blood often smells metallic or sweet because of the iron and copper content in your blood mixed with vaginal bacteria. If the mix of bacteria in your vagina (aka your vaginal microbiome) changes, your period blood may take on a different scent.

What is the normal smell of Virgina?

The vagina usually has only a mild odor or sometimes no odor at all. A "fishy" smell or other strong vaginal odor might mean there's a problem. Conditions that cause a strong vaginal odor might also cause other vaginal symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation or discharge.

Is it normal to smell like fish on your period?

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. It's nothing to worry about as long as it isn't due to a forgotten tampon.

Does blood have a scent?

An empirical test of the reaction of blood on the skin by Glindemann and colleagues [30] showed that a distinctive 'metallic' smell was produced, which was attributable to the oxidization of the hemoglobin's iron molecules in the reaction with fat lipids in the skin.

Can others smell my period blood? - Quora

Answer: Vagina has some good bacterias that help it in the self cleaning process and also protect it from any infection. Every person has a unique body odor and so does your vagina. It's normal to have a vaginal odor. However, period blood itself doesn't have any odor of it's own. It's just bloo...

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 does period blood smell?

It's normal for it to smell like “blood” because that's what it is. But the smell is not that strong for someone else to smell it. It might start smelling if you are using a sanitary napkin and not changing it after a certain time. The bacterias start to decompose the blood and that's what can cause it to smell a bit.

What does it mean when your menstrual cycle smells bad?

Menstrual blood does have a distinctive odor, but if it smells really “wrong” to you, you should probably be checked by your doctor to rule out a bacterial infection .

What to do if you smell blood during your period?

If you are worried about other people smelling your menstrual blood, you may want to use tampons or a menstrual cup, which will keep the blood from contacting the air and giving off a smell. Of cours

Why does my vagina 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. 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.

Can you use PeeSafe intimate wash?

If you are still worried about menstrual hygiene, you can use PeeSafe Intimate wash to wash the vaginal region, during period and post period. This 100% Alcohol-free vaginal wash comes with the goodness of Ayurveda and can be used on a daily basis. Enriched with antimicrobial Tea Tree Essential Oil, soothing Witch Hazel and lemongrass, it also maintains the PH balance of the delicate skin in order to prevent itching, rashes and irritation.

Can a girl have endometriosis?

Doctors often assume that young girls cannot have endometriosis but we know the earlier you get excision of the endometriosis the better.

Does a girl have a lesser flow than a woman?

Generally speaking it can be assumed that a girl with have a lesser flow than a woman as the uterus grows as the girl becomes a woman and as the woman ages.

When will India be held responsible for their scam call centers?

Individual people on YouTube have done more for people against India scam call centers than our own governments.

When did body positivity become about forcing acceptance of obesity?

What gives? It’s entirely one thing for positivity behind things like vitiligo, but another when people use the intent behind it to say we should be accepting of obesity.

Why is no one in America fighting for a good Health system?

I live in Germany and we have a good healthcare. But I don't understand how America tried it and removed it. (okay trump...) In this Situation with covid I cant imagine how much it costs to be supplied with oxigen in the worst case.

Why can't we shut down the world for 2 weeks to end covid?

Why can't the world just blank out for 2 weeks and solve the covid pandemic? No bills, no production, no movement (except those in hospitals and have emergency services still available).

Why do so many people feel like they have to be drunk to have fun?

Not just at a party or bar setting. But even even a small group gathering or hanging out with friends.

Can you smell your period?

They appeared generally clean, but they didn't change their hygiene habits when they were on their period. If a person who has periods keeps themselves clean daily, the period doesn't seem to be noticeable. At least, that's been my experience.

Does hydrogen peroxide deodorize a room?

I carry around a tiny spritzer bottle with hydrogen peroxide, it deodorizes a room. It's probably not as big a deal i make it out to be but I'm self conscious like that! Works well for unavoidable public bathroom pooping too lol

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.

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.

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.

Why Do Periods Smell a Certain Way?

It’s really blood, plus uterine lining tissue, and of course, the normal fluids that your vagina excretes. This combination has a slight, sometimes metallic odor, which can fluctuate due to things like bacteria and acidity. So you do not have to ask yourself “Why does my period blood smell?” anymore. Now you know.

Does silicone cup make odor?

Try a medical silicone menstrual cup; it is worn inside and catches rather than absorbs menstrual flow, which means no opportunity for it to emit an odor

Do bears like menstrual blood?

At least as far as National Park Service in Yellowstone is concerned, there is no statistical evidence showing that bears are attracted to menstrual blood.

Can you smell your period?

Generally, your period won’t be noticeable to others. If it is strong enough to be noticed through your pants, for example, it’s more likely that you have sprung a leak than anyone can smell anything through your menstrual care device. If you don’t have a leak and a smell is still noticeable, you may have another infection and should go see your doctor about the issue.

Can I Use Scented Menstrual Products?

The menstrual care aisle at the store can be overwhelming for many reasons. There are just so many different products, all claiming to be the key to an easier period. And, of course, there is the section of products with delicate floral scents, promising to hide all period smells.

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