Vaginal Odour: When Should You See a Gynaecologist?

A healthy vagina has a mild natural scent, and it can change slightly through your cycle, after exercise, or with sweat. This is normal. What deserves attention is a new, strong, or unpleasant smell that doesn't go away with regular hygiene.

Usually normal

• A mild, musky smell that varies through the month

• A slight change around periods, after sex, or after a workout

• A mild change with certain foods or heavy sweating

Smell that needs a check

• A fishy odour, especially after sex or during periods

• A strong, foul smell that persists

• Odour with itching, burning, or irritation

• Odour with a change in the colour or amount of discharge

• Odour with pain in the lower abdomen, pain during sex, or fever

• A foul smell that began after a delivery, a procedure, or a forgotten tampon

Common causes

• Bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of normal vaginal bacteria and the most common reason for a fishy smell

• Yeast infection, usually with itching and thick white discharge

• Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection

• A retained tampon or foreign object

• Poor hygiene or sweat, less often the main cause

• Rarely, other conditions of the cervix or uterus

What not to do

• Avoid douching or internal washes. They disturb the natural balance and often make the problem worse

• Avoid scented soaps, sprays, and perfumed products

• Wear breathable cotton underwear, and change out of wet clothes promptly

• Don't self-treat repeatedly with creams from the pharmacy without knowing the cause

What the visit involves

A short conversation, a gentle examination, and often a simple swab test. Most causes are easy to treat.

FAQs

Is vaginal odour a sign of poor hygiene?Usually not. Most causes are infections or imbalances, not cleanliness.

Can it go away on its own?Sometimes, but if it keeps returning or has other symptoms, get it checked.

There is nothing embarrassing about this, and it is something we see every day. Dr. Sonal Kotdawala will listen, examine gently, and tell you what is going on without judgement. Kotdawala Hospitals, Bhulabhai Park and Paldi, Ahmedabad.

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