Does My VAGINA Smell Normal? Causes & Treatments | Thrush, Bacterial Vaginosis, Smelly Discharge STI

Dr Simi Adedeji2 minutes read

Vaginal smells are natural and influenced by pH levels, but offensive odors could indicate infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections that require medical treatment. Various scents like fishy, yeasty, coppery, earthy, and acidic can be normal but may need attention if they become persistent or severe.

Insights

  • Forgotten tampons can lead to bacterial growth and pH changes, causing offensive smells in the vagina, indicating the need for medical attention to prevent complications.
  • Different smells from the vagina, such as fishy, yeasty, coppery, or earthy, can signify various health conditions like bacterial vaginosis, vaginal thrush, blood presence, or sweating, emphasizing the importance of understanding these signs for timely treatment and hygiene maintenance.

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Recent questions

  • What causes a fishy vaginal smell?

    Bacterial vaginosis or trichomonas vaginalis may cause a fishy smell, treatable with antibiotics and medical attention.

  • How can yeasty vaginal smells be treated?

    Yeasty smells are linked to vaginal thrush, treatable with anti-yeast medication like tablets or pessaries.

  • What causes an earthy vaginal smell?

    Earthy smells result from sweating in the groin and vaginal area, normal but can be reduced by wearing cotton underwear.

  • Why might a coppery vaginal smell occur?

    Coppery smells often indicate blood in the vagina, common during periods or due to dry sex causing friction-related cuts.

  • What causes acidic or tangy vaginal smells?

    Acidic or tangy smells are normal due to the acidic environment created by lactobacilli, beneficial for vaginal health.

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Summary

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Understanding Vaginal Smells: Causes and Treatments

  • Vaginas have a natural smell due to the pH level, typically ranging from 3.5 to 4.5, influenced by lactobacilli bacteria.
  • Offensive or rotten smells can occur if a tampon is forgotten inside, leading to bacterial growth and pH changes.
  • Fishy smells may indicate bacterial vaginosis or trichomonas vaginalis, treatable with antibiotics and requiring medical attention.
  • Yeasty smells are linked to vaginal thrush, treatable with anti-yeast medication in various forms like tablets or pessaries.
  • Coppery smells often indicate blood in the vagina, common during periods or due to dry sex causing friction-related cuts.
  • Earthy smells result from sweating in the groin and vaginal area, normal but can be reduced by wearing cotton underwear.
  • Acidic or tangy smells are normal due to the acidic environment created by lactobacilli, beneficial for vaginal health.
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