No, a yeast infection typically doesn't smell fishy; a strong fishy odor usually signals bacterial vaginosis (BV), a different common infection, while yeast infections often have a yeasty smell or no strong odor, with symptoms like cottage cheese-like discharge, itching, and redness. If you smell fish, it's likely BV or an STI like trichomoniasis, requiring different treatments (antibiotics for BV/STI, antifungals for yeast), so seeing a doctor for diagnosis is crucial.
There may be an odor, such as a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex. Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva to become itchy and red.
Fishy odor typically points to bacterial imbalance, while cheesy discharge is common in yeast infections. Maintaining good hygiene, avoiding irritants, and seeking evaluation from an OB/GYN are important. Diagnosis may involve examination and lab tests to identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.
The vaginal discharge of women with bacterial vaginosis often has a prominent fishy odor. Intensification of this fishy odor by the addition of strong base to the vaginal discharge suggests that it could be due to trimethylamine, the substance responsible for the characteristic odor of spoiling fish.
Although yeast infections are generally odorless, some women experience a sweet or yeasty smell along with symptoms like vaginal itching, inflammation, stinging when peeing, and a lumpy, cottage cheese-like discharge.
Here are some of the best home remedies for addressing fishy odor.
Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as well as lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory condition that is more common in postmenopausal people, can mimic symptoms of a yeast infection. The symptoms of lichen sclerosus are primarily severe itching.
Trichomoniasis. Men and women can get an infection called trichomoniasis. It's caused by a parasite, is sexually transmitted and can cause premature delivery in pregnant women. It can lead to a fishy smell, and/or a frothy green discharge, in the vaginal area.
Urine that smells fishy is not typical, but many of the causes are mild or treatable. Certain supplements, medications, or foods may change how urine smells. Some infections, such as UTIs or BV, can also cause this symptom.
Check if you have bacterial vaginosis
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include: an unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex. a change to the colour and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.
BV is associated with a foul, “fishy” vaginal odor, while most women don't notice an odor with a yeast infection. A yeast infection also typically causes itching, particularly in younger women, and may include a burning sensation, especially during urination. In general, BV doesn't cause itching or burning.
Untreated yeast infections can sometimes progress into more serious infections, leading to redness, swelling, and cracks or sores around the vagina. These severe infections are still treatable, but they are much more uncomfortable and take longer to clear up.
If you're concerned about an unusual vaginal odor or an odor that doesn't go away, see your health care provider. Your provider may perform a vaginal exam, especially if you also have itching, burning, irritation, discharge or other symptoms.
Antifungal medications treat most vaginal yeast infections. They work by fighting yeast overgrowth in your body. Medications are either oral (usually given in one dose of fluconazole by mouth) or topical (used daily for up to seven days).
Treatment for a Fishy Vagina Smell Due to a UTI
Drinking plenty of water & unsweetened cranberry juice to flush the bacteria, remembering to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, and ensuring to wash the intimate areas after sexual intercourse are some excellent preventative methods.
Primary trimethylaminuria (fish odour syndrome) is a metabolic disorder that can be exacerbated by menstruation, specific medications or the intake of choline-rich foods. More common causes of a fishy odour include poor hygiene, gingivitis, vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and advanced liver and kidney disease.
The key differentiating factor lies in the type of discharge. BV typically presents with a thin, grayish-white discharge that has a strong, fishy odor. In contrast, UTIs may cause cloudy or bloody urine, but do not typically cause abnormal vaginal discharge.
A urine test is used to diagnose trimethylaminuria. The person's urine is tested to look for higher levels of trimethylamine.
The most common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor are: Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection that's caused by an imbalance in your vagina's flora. BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex.
The symptoms of thrush are: soreness and itching around your vagina, cottage cheese like discharge that's odourless and burning sensation when passing urine. Bacterial vaginosis causes a fishy, unpleasant odour and abnormal vaginal discharge that's grey-white and watery.
Symptoms
Chlamydia and cytolytic vaginosis can be easily mistaken for a yeast infection. The main symptoms of chlamydia are very similar to those of a yeast infection. Both conditions cause abnormal discharge that is thick and white, along with vaginal itching and irritation, and a burning sensation when you pee.
Symptoms of vaginitis
vaginal discharge that's a different colour, smell or thickness to usual. vaginal dryness. pain when peeing or having sex. light vaginal bleeding or spotting.
Yes, bacterial vaginosis (BV) can sometimes go away on its own, as it's considered "self-limiting," but it's not recommended to wait, especially if you have symptoms, due to risks like increased susceptibility to STIs (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), and pregnancy complications (preterm birth, miscarriage). Medical treatment with antibiotics is usually suggested for symptomatic cases to prevent these serious health issues, particularly during pregnancy, say experts from the CDC and Cleveland Clinic.
Oral Lactobacillus acidophilus GLA-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 mixture, along with Lactoferrin for 15 days. Oral supplementation resulted in vaginal colonization of the Lactobacillus strains along with significant improvement in symptoms of discharge, odor, and itching.