Yes, Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is most known for a strong, fishy odor, but it can sometimes have a more generalized "rotting" or "foul" smell, often described as pungent, which intensifies after sex or during your period, accompanied by thin, grayish discharge, and needs medical treatment. While fishy is the classic sign, other infections (like STIs or yeast infections) or even normal body changes cause different smells like tangy, metallic, or musky, so any persistent unusual odor warrants a doctor's visit.
Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a “fishy” smell. Discharge from yeast infections doesn't usually have a strong smell but may look like cottage cheese.
Your vaginal scent can change in response to sex, menstruation, pregnancy, etc. However, a strong, unpleasant vaginal odor with a discharge may be a sign of a health problem like vaginitis. A course of antibiotics is often all that's needed to treat the condition and get rid of the smell.
Treatment consists of the systemic administration of either metronidazole or vaginal clindamycin cream. Some studies have indicated that systemic antibiotic treatment of BV after the 1st trimester of pregnancy can reduce the number of preterm births in high risk groups (e.g. previous history of preterm birth).
The odor can be especially noticeable after sex (when semen raises vaginal pH), during your period, or when wiping after using the bathroom. It's not the kind of mild, musky scent that's normal for a healthy vagina. BV odor is more sour, metallic, or rotten-smelling, and often lingers even after washing.
The truth is that when everything's normal, no one else smells any odors from a girl's vagina. If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. But even then, it's unlikely that people around her will notice it.
To treat bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe one of the following medicines:
Some drinks that may improve vaginal health include cranberry juice, kefir, drinkable yogurt, coconut water, green tea, orange juice, and mango smoothies. If you have any new or uncomfortable vaginal symptoms, let your healthcare provider know so they can recommend treatment.
BV discharge might also be thin and milky (Cleveland Clinic, 2018), and smell just a little bit like fish (Livengood, 2009). Trichomoniasis (“Trich”). If you have a much stronger fishy scent to your discharge, you're more likely to be experiencing the sexually transmitted infection Trichomoniasis.
If you have no symptoms, treatment for BV is usually not required. BV is 'self-limiting' (meaning it will go away by itself). Many people with BV do not experience complications. However, BV has been linked with early pregnancy loss (miscarriage), premature labour and low infant birth weight.
Strong or unusual odors can happen due to infections like BV, yeast infections, or poor hygiene habits. Clean only the outer vaginal area gently with mild, unscented soap and avoid douching or scented products. Wearing breathable cotton underwear and avoiding tight clothes reduces moisture and odor.
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain. The cause is usually a change in the balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. Reduced estrogen levels after menopause and some skin disorders also can cause vaginitis.
Signs BV is clearing up on its own
You may see the discharge return to a more typical consistency — clear or white rather than gray or thin — and the strong or fishy smell may fade. If you had burning or discomfort, those sensations might lessen or go away completely.
If you're noticing an unusual smell like a fishy odor, you should see your health care team to get this checked out. If gynecologists detect an odor, they will take a swab to find out what's going on to determine the best 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.
Consider Alternative Treatments: If metronidazole doesn't work, your doctor may prescribe a different antibiotic, such as clindamycin. In cases where BV is recurrent, long-term maintenance therapy may be recommended.
BV is a relatively mild condition, but, left untreated, it can cause serious reproductive health problems. Untreated BV can increase the chances of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, cause pelvic infection or inflammation, and lead to pregnancy complications, such miscarriage or premature labor.
We recommend vitamin D therapy for the prevention or management of BV among deficient women.
You can add two cups of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath and soak for about 20 minutes. The vinegar can help neutralize odors and restore the natural pH balance of your vagina.
Antibiotics are the recommended treatment as well as the use of boric acid pessaries or the use of Acigel which lowers the ph in the vagina. Even after a woman has been cured BV often recurs. A second course of antibiotics is necessary if a woman experiences recurrent BV that produces symptoms.
No, eating pineapple won't change how your vagina smells or taste. There's no solid scientific evidence that any food could alter your natural scent or flavor in a meaningful way. Your vagina cleans itself and has its own unique scent. That's normal and healthy.
But, urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also cause an unpleasant and strong smell in the vagina because of a build-up of harmful bacteria which can cause a fishy odour — cranberry juice can be helpful in the prevention and treatment of UTIs.