Period FAQs

why does my discharge smell after my period

by Mrs. Henriette Rodriguez DVM Published 1 year 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.

Full Answer

Why do I have dark brown blood after my period?

When is brown discharge likely to occur?

  • Before and after a period. It is common for a person to have brown vaginal discharge a few days before their period, as well as a few days after it.
  • Perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. ...
  • Birth control. Certain birth control methods may cause spotting or some brown discharge. ...
  • Pregnancy-related. ...

Why do I have sweet smelling discharge?

  • Easy with The Washing: Keep your cleaning routine down there very simple. ...
  • Take a Pregnancy Test: If the new smell is new onset around two weeks after possible ovulation, this could be a sign of pregnancy. ...
  • Try Hormonal Birth Control: You may be noticing fluctuations in your vaginal smell from sweet to sour and it may be very pronounced. ...

More items...

Is brown spotting normal after period?

You experience brown discharge after your period. This is normal as during menstruation some tissue covering the uterus (endometrium) are not remove. The uterus will try to expel remaining endometrial tissues resulting to brown spotting or discharge. It is usually dark with no odor.

Is it normal to have vaginal smell during pregnancy?

Whether a faint smell or a strong one, vaginal odor is normal in pregnancy. The smell could be fishy or ammonia-like due to the changes in the urine. Sometimes, the smell could be accompanied by a discharge too. If it is not bothering you much, you don’t have to worry about it. A few home remedies can help deal with it easily.

Why does my discharge smell after my period?

Why does my discharge smell brown after menses?

Why does my period smell fishy?

Why does my period have a greenish discharge?

Why does my vagina smell like it's burning?

Why does my vagina smell white after menses?

Why do you have to pass urine after sex?

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strange smelling discharge at the end of period light brown/

when the heavy bleeding stops and it slows down enough whatever shows up on my pad is brownish (maybe a little green) a little waxy and smells very different from normal menstrual blood or regular discharge. almost like curry powder o.O i was just thinking it was old blood before but i'm a little unsure :/

Very Strong Vaginal Odor after my period with no discharge o

Everytime I finish my period, I start another cycle; the cycle of my vagina having a really bad odor the first week AFTER my period. I don't have any other side effects with this, I don't have discharge, I don't have any pain or itchyness, but everytime my period finishes, this smell starts.

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.

What causes a vaginal discharge?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having an STI can also cause vaginal discharge. However, these tend to be yellow or green in color. They can also cause strong vaginal odors. Possible STIs include chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea.

Why does my vaginal discharge turn red?

BV causes a grayish-colored discharge and is accompanied by pain, redness, and itching. Yeast infection. A yeast infection can occur during or after your period, as well as any time of the month. This is caused by an over-production of yeast, which leads to itching, burning, and thick, cottage cheese–like vaginal discharge.

What happens to the uterus after your period?

During your period, your uterine lining discharges a combination of blood and tissues. Once your period officially ends though, it’s still possible to have discharge from the vagina. The color and consistency of vaginal discharge fluctuates throughout your cycle. It’s typically brown right after your period is done for the month.

How long does it take for yeast to clear up?

A mild yeast infection may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) or home remedies and should clear up in 2 to 3 days. OTC treatments contain antifungal ointments and suppositories. Moderate to severe yeast infections may require stronger antifungal treatments and may take weeks to resolve.

What does the color of discharge mean?

The color of your vaginal discharge says a lot about your health as well as where you’re at in your monthly cycle. Colors can range from white to pink to yellow. You can always check with your doctor if you have concerns.

What causes more discharge in the vagina?

Birth control pills. Oral contraceptives increase the amount of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which in turn leads to more vaginal discharge throughout the month.

Why is my period brown?

Brown discharge after your period isn’t usually a cause for concern, but you may want to see your doctor if you have any other symptoms, such as pain and itchiness. Call your doctor if you continuously experience brown spotting. This is one possible sign of cervical or uterine cancers, which should be ruled out.

What Is Vaginal Odor

Vaginal odor is the smell that your vaginaand usually your dischargegives off. A certain amount of vaginal odor is normal, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . But if the odor is strong and noticeable, its possible that you have an infection or other problem, ACOG says.

What Changes To Expect As You Age

As you get older, your estrogen levels decrease, causing an imbalance in your pH levels.

When Should I Seek Treatment For Abnormal Vaginal Odor

Vaginal issues are one of the most common reasons women seek medical care. If you are experiencing prolonged abnormal vaginal odor, or odor accompanied by discharge, burning and itching, you should seek medical care. Untreated vaginitis can lead to vaginal infections that can spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes.

Sweaty Gym Oniony Or Salty Smell

Here are some ideas on how you can keep these smells at bay during that time of the month:

How Dangerous Abnormal Vaginal Odor Is

Again, the cause of abnormal vaginal odor determines whether you may develop serious health complications and your prognosis.

When To See A Health Care Provider For Fishy Vaginal Odor

If you have a fishy vaginal odor that wont go away even after trying the techniques above, its time to see a health care professional. This is also true if the fishy vaginal odor comes with any itching, burning, or bleeding.

Treatment For Foul Smelling Discharge

The treatment for foul smelling discharge depends on the cause, and so the gynecologist may prescribe antibiotics, antifungal medication or creams to be applied directly on the vagina.

Why does my discharge smell sour?

If a super sour, fish-y smell is on the cards, then this could be a sign of BV. Head to your chemist for some over-the-counter meds.

What are the symptoms of STI?

Other symptoms can include painful periods, irregular bleeding, pain during sex or when you wee, and an itchy burn-y sensation around your vagina.

Is it normal for discharge to smell?

A subtle smell is totally not an issue. It's when you notice dramatic changes in your discharge – or a really strong, foul smell – that your body is likely trying to communicate that something is not right.

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 .

What causes yellow discharge after period no odor?

If you have yellowish-like discharge after menstrual period ends with no odor, it could be due to

Why does my discharge turn yellow after my period?

It’s possible yellow discharge after period will be due to pregnancy, and this happens because of implantation bleeding. Normally, bleeding due to implantation will occur before your next menstrual period.

Why is my vagina pink?

A severe yeast infection may cause vaginal soreness and spotting, which may cause a pink yellowish discharge from your vagina. It’s best to inform your doctor and take medications as prescribed. Risk factor for a yeast infection are. Weak immune system (due to HIV or cancer) Previous use of very strong antibiotics.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

More than 50 – 80 percent of women will not show symptoms of chlamydia infections, however, if they do, they will experience. Yellow colored vaginal discharge that is smelly. Frequent spotting between menstrual periods. Painful sexual intercourse. Pain after sexual intercourse.

Why is my vaginal discharge yellow?

The truth is, in some women, a yellowish vaginal discharge may indicate there is something wrong down there and possibly may be a sign of an infection. Having said that, a lot of women will have yellowish discharge after period with no itching or odor, and it is not due to any medical issue. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, severe yeast infection, bacterial ...

Why does my discharge smell yellow?

If your discharge is whitish or yellowish after your menstrual period with no odor, itching or smell, there is no reason to panic.

How long does it take for chlamydia to go away?

Usually, it takes some time ( about three weeks) for women to begin having symptoms, though, chlamydia can lie dormant for month and years without any symptoms at all.

Why does my discharge smell after my period?

Another reason for smelly discharge after period could be a forgotten tampon. You may not believe this but this is quite common in a large number of females. Some females forget the tampon in its place during the last day of menses and the tampon festers leading to a smelly vaginal discharge.

Why does my discharge smell brown after menses?

5. Smelly, brown discharge: If you experience smelly, brown discharge after menses, then it is quite possible that it is caused by some bacteria. It is recommended to get yourself checked with a gynecologist to find the underlying cause of the problem.

Why does my period smell fishy?

Gray/off-white creamy discharge that smells fishy: If the smelly discharge after period is off-white or gray in color, is creamy and smells fishy, then it could be from bacterial vaginosis.

Why does my period have a greenish discharge?

Smelly greenish discharge: If you have strong smelly greenish discharge after periods then it is possible that you are suffering from trichomoniasis caused by infection with Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is an amoebic infection that is potentially harmless.

Why does my vagina smell like it's burning?

Moreover, if this smelly discharge is associated with a sensation of burning in the vagina, then it could be due to Chlamydia infection. In such cases it is recommended to get tested at the earliest because Chlamydia, if not treated early could result in infertility. 3. Smelly greenish discharge: If you have strong smelly greenish discharge ...

Why does my vagina smell white after menses?

1. Smelly white discharge: If you have a smelly white discharge after menses, then there is a possibility of a thrush or a yeast infection due to Candida albicans. This occurs when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina is altered by the hormonal changes, leading to multiplication of the fungi. Your body’s hormonal balance is disturbed, ...

Why do you have to pass urine after sex?

Pass urine after having sex as it removes bacteria from inside and outside the vaginal canal. If not removed, bad bacteria can move up to bladder leading to infections. To prevent spreading of bowel bacteria it is recommended to wipe from front to back.

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