Period FAQs

why does my period smell like death

by Philip Nienow Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Period smells like “death”
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. It's normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate.

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 does my period really smell?

This Is Why Your Period Smells

  1. Metallic or Like Iron. "The period itself is basically endometrial tissue that's built up over the course of the month. ...
  2. Fishy. "As blood exits the vagina, especially if there's a lot of bleeding, it can change the pH of the vagina," Dr. ...
  3. Sweet. ...
  4. Rotten or Foul. ...

Why does my period's blood smell like rotten animal?

When it smells it's an infection, when your blood is still red but smells like rotten steak or rotting flesh & otherwise your cycle is normal, it's an infection, even if it's a low level infection of the uteran lining. If your blood burns as it flows out, it may be from an infection.

Is it normal to like the smell of your period?

Period smell is not general, it depends on person to person..i don't know what's the science behind these different smells tho…so yes, you need to consider that, it's not generalized Nah! I like my period smell as well. It's so attractive for me. It's so tempting. My period smells sweet and also it's a very new kind of smell for my senses !

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Why does my period affect my blood?

That’s because your period changes your vaginal ecosystem, and bad bacteria can thrive in your period blood for two reasons: the pH is better for bad bacteria and the iron in your blood feeds microbes.

Why does my STI smell?

The most likely causes of STI smells are gonorrhoea and trich, as other sexually transmitted infections don’t typically smell bad. It’s also important to note that AV and BV can be sexually transmitted, but are not officially considered sexually transmitted infections (yet).

Why does meat smell bad?

The bad smell comes from the same process that occurs when meat is left to rot – bacteria go to work . Bacteria cause bad smells – if you put a piece of meat in a bacteria-less vacuum, it doesn’t smell bad.

What happens if you lose a tampon?

If it was a lost tampon, then the problem should resolve itself after you fish it out. If it’s BV or AV, you need to figure out what the next step of treatment will be, since antibiotics work only about half the time. If you have an STI, you need to know one way or another, and adhere to the proper treatment.

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.

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 rotten smell mean?

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

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.

What are the symptoms of BV?

If you have BV, you’ll probably have other symptoms before, during, and after your period: irritation. itchiness. burning, especially when you pee or have sex. a watery gray or white discharge when you’re not on your period.

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 blood smell metallic?

Period blood may smell metallic due to the presence of blood and iron.

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.

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 is the process of apocrine sweat?

Apocrine sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin to produce body odor. The glands release this type of sweat during periods of stress or anxiety. It is different from the sweat lost during exercise, or when the body has a high temperature.

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.

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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