Period FAQs

why does my period smell fishy

by Sandy Moore V Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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A person might notice a fishy smell during their period and also outside of menstruation. 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.

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 I feel like fainting before your period?

Hormonal Changes

  • Hypoglycemia. In some women, these hormonal shifts can cause changes in insulin sensitivity that can lead to episodes of relatively low blood sugar called hypoglycemia .
  • Fluid Shifts. Another possibility for why you have fainting episodes is linked to fluid shifts in your body. ...
  • POTS. ...

Why do I fart a lot before my period?

What causes a person to fart more than normal?

  • Hard-to-digest foods. Some foods are more difficult for your body to digest than others. ...
  • Digestive disorders. These digestive disorders interfere with normal digestion, placing stress on your digestive system, and often result in excessive farting.
  • Stress. ...
  • Constipation. ...
  • Changes in the amount or type of bacteria in your digestive tract. ...

Can your period cause you to smell like fish?

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.

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How do I get rid of fishy smell during my period?

This can be as simple as making sure you change tampons, liners, or pads every few hours. Daily showers are also important, and you can help prevent period odors by cleaning the outside of your vagina only. Deodorizing products, such as wipes and sprays, aren't recommended because of the possibility of irritation.

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.

Can guys smell when a girl is on her period?

Myth No. While we each have our own unique scent, menstrual blood itself has no odor.

How do you get bacterial vaginosis?

BV is a result of an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV.

Why does my period blood smell different?

What determines how sweet or sour your period smells isn't the blood itself but rather the vaginal mucus there at the time. At different points in your cycle, your vaginal mucus changes in consistency (from watery, thin mucus to thicker, whiter mucus) and when this change occurs, the pH of the mucus changes too.

Is it normal to have fishy smell before period?

If your flow smells fishy, something's up. This kind of odor usually indicates bacterial vaginosis (BV). Sometimes it's a symptom of trichomoniasis.

Do you smell better on your period?

The closer you get to ovulation (at the end of your Week 2), the more high estrogen improves your smelling ability, helping you to detect more subtleties in aromas, several studies show. This makes it a perfect phase of your cycle to sniff fragrant flowers, try a new essential oil or cook a meal with a complex aroma.

Does bacterial vaginosis smell?

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis This discharge will usually be white or grey, thin or watery and have a strong, unpleasant fishy smell. This can be more noticeable during and after sex, and during periods. Bacterial vaginosis does not usually cause itching or irritation.

Symptoms of Fishy Vaginal Odor

Sometimes the only symptoms that anything is wrong with your vagina is a fishy smell that you detect when you move or remove your pad or underwear....

Causes of Fishy Vaginal Odor

Let’s look at what can be the reason for fishy-smelling discharge and what you can do to get rid of the vaginal odor.

Best Home Remedies to Treat Fishy Odor from The Vagina

If you want to get rid of an unpleasant smell from your vagina and stop smelling like fish, there are many helpful home remedies for fishy odors.

How to Prevent Fishy Vaginal Odor

Of course, it is always easier to prevent fishy vaginal odor rather than treating it. This will help save you from embarrassment if your vagina emi...

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 vagina smell fishy?

Most of the time, a fishy vaginal smell is an indicator of an infection in the genitals. However, poor hygiene, excessive sweating, or even certain foods can cause a vagina to have a fishy smell. Thankfully, there are many home remedies that can help to treat a fishy vaginal odor. For example, probiotics can help to improve the health ...

How to get rid of fishy smell in vagina?

Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural home remedy that can help to get rid of fishy smells from your vagina. Tea tree oil contains naturally occurring antibacterial properties that kill bacteria and germs that cause a strong odor with discolored discharge.

How to make a vaginal suppository?

This is how to make an antibacterial vaginal suppository with apple cider vinegar: Mix equal parts of raw apple cider vinegar with warm water. Soak a tampon in the ACV remedy and insert into your vagina. Leave for 30 minutes to help destroy the infection-causing microbes and get rid of the fishy vaginal discharge.

What is the smell of fish in the vagina?

Trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis (sometimes just called “trich”) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause vaginal malodor that smells of fish. Trichomoniasis can affect men and women alike and if a woman has “trich” then it is usually the vagina where the infection occurs.

What causes a strong smell in the vagina?

Sweat. Sometimes, a combination of sweat, normal vaginal discharge, and urine can combine to create a strong-smelling feminine odor. Usually, having good feminine hygiene habits and changing your underwear regularly can help to reduce any fishy odor from your vagina.

What to do for fishy discharge?

Coconut oil is another natural treatment you can use at home to treat the symptoms of fishy discharge. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties and fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation and kill off infections in the vagina.

Why does my discharge smell like cottage cheese?

Traci Johnson on WebMD says if there’s a fishy smell, bacterial vaginosis is a better guess. If your discharge looks like cottage cheese, then a yeast infection may be to blame. That’s also more likely to cause itching and burning, though bacterial vaginosis might make you itchy too. 5.

Why does my period smell like something crawled inside me?

Not normal. If your flow smells like something crawled inside you and died, the culprit is probably a forgotten tampon. Neglected tampons are surprisingly common, especially at the end of your period.

Why does my flow smell fishy?

When your flow smells “fishy”. If your flow smells fishy, something’s up. This kind of odor usually indicates bacterial vaginosis (BV). Sometimes it’s a symptom of trichomoniasis. Most folks who get BV report an abnormally strong, fishy stench. That’s because BV is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in your vag.

Why does my vag smell ripe?

If your vag smells ripe, a change in your hygiene habits could help. Menstrual flow is full of blood, tissue, and bacteria, so you’ll need to freshen up more than usual during your period.

What does it mean when your period smells like death?

When your period smells like “death”. Consider what a period actually is — blood and tissue from your uterus. So, sometimes it’ll have a vaguely metallic odor, especially when mixed with sweat or bacteria from your nether regions. Normal.

What does rotten smell mean?

Regardless of how you describe the stench, a rotten smell often points to some kind of decay or infection.

How to tell if you have trich?

excessive or thin discharge when you’re not on your period. green or yellow discharge. Both BV and trich require medical treatment. After your doc diagnoses you, you’ll probably need to complete a round (or two) of prescription meds.

How to get rid of bad smells?

Most bad odors can be remedied with a shower or pad change. If the stink remains, or if it’s accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, talk with your doctor.

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 does my urine smell fishy?

Fishy odor from your urine can be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI). The bacteria from the infection can contaminate the urine and cause a distinct fishy smell . Other symptoms may include urine that is cloudy, burning sensation when urinating, or other mild pain when you pee. Certain foods and conditions can also change the smell ...

What foods can cause a fishy smell in the vagina?

Some foods may cause a fishy or other vaginal odor. They include asparagus, broccoli, certain spices like garlic, onions, and some types of fish. If you are concerned, you can avoid these foods. But they are all considered healthy in moderation, so you don’t need to cut them out of your diet completely.

How do you know if you have a fishy smell?

Other symptoms you may have. You may notice a fishy odor when you use the restroom or after you have sex. You may also notice the odor changes to a fishy smell after you sweat. If you have additional symptoms like unusual discharge or itching, burning, or redness, see your doctor.

What is the most common cause of vaginal inflammation?

Vaginitis is inflammation or an infection of the vagina. It is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by a yeast infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) called trichomoniasis. A fishy odor is a common symptom.

What to do if you have vaginal odor?

If you are experiencing symptoms of vaginitis or are concerned about your vaginal odor, see your OB-GYN. They will likely perform a pelvic exam where they’ll look inside your vagina for inflammation or abnormal discharge. They also may take a sample of the discharge for lab testing. They can also perform a pH test.

Why does my vagina smell?

The most common is cause is vaginitis, an infection or inflammation of the vagina. The odor of your vagina varies throughout your menstrual cycle. If you are concerned about your vaginal odor, or experiencing any unusual discharge, burning, itching, or redness, you should see your OB-GYN. They can perform an exam and determine if you need ...

What does it mean when your discharge is itchy?

But if you experience discharge that’s itchy or irritating, it may be a symptom of an infection. See your doctor if your discharge is grayish white, greenish yellow, or white and resembles cottage cheese in consistency.

Why does my vagina smell like a penny?

Many people report smelling a coppery, metallic vaginal odor. This is usually nothing to worry about. Rarely, it signifies a more serious problem. A coppery smell can also be due to less common, but serious, causes of vaginal bleeding.

What is the smell of a vagina?

1. Tangy or fermented. It’s very common for vaginas to produce a tangy or sour aroma. Some compare it to the smell of fermented foods. In fact, yogurt, sourdough bread, and even some sour beer contain the same type of good bacteria that dominate most healthy vaginas: Lactobacilli.

What are the red flags of a bad smell?

In general, abnormal odors should be easy to spot. They’re the ones that make your face scrunch up. Rotting fish, dead organism, decay — these are all red flag odors. If there’s a serious cause, often other symptoms will appear alongside the smell.

Does menopause affect pH?

Menopause also has an effect on vaginal pH. “Due to a lack of estrogen, women in menopause end up with less vaginal mucosa,” says Minkin. “Vaginal mucosa lines the vagina and nurtures the Lactobacilli bacteria. So, without these cells you can end up with a much higher pH.”.

Can Vicks vaporub cause bacterial vaginosis?

Widely acknowledged by the medical community as harmful to the natural balance of vaginal flora, this common tool that cleans the vagina might actually cause bacterial vaginosis instead. Last year, the internet even suggested using Vicks VapoRub as a DIY treatment for vaginal scents.

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