Yes, eating fish can make your pee smell fishy because fish contain trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), which gut bacteria convert into a strong-smelling compound (trimethylamine) excreted in urine and sweat; while a normal reaction, persistent strong fishy odor could signal trimethylaminuria (Fish Odor Syndrome) or infection, warranting a doctor visit.
Trimethylaminuria. In this condition, also called fish odor syndrome, your body can't break down a compound called trimethylamine. This chemical on its own smells like rotten eggs, rotting fish, or garbage. As trimethylamine collects in your body, your sweat, breath, and urine will smell rotten or fishy.
Some foods and medicines, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause urine odor, even in small amounts.
Foul-Smelling Urine: Food
Besides asparagus, other top offenders in the food category include: Fish makes your urine smell because it contains trimethylamine oxide, which is broken down by gut bacteria into a compound with a strong fishy odor that's excreted in urine and sweat.
Things you can do if you have smelly pee
Foul-smelling urine may be due to bacteria. Sweet-smelling urine may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes or a rare disease of metabolism. Liver disease and certain metabolic disorders may cause musty-smelling urine.
Apple cider vinegar is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which can help neutralize the bacteria causing a fishy vaginal odor. You can add two cups of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath and soak for about 20 minutes.
Kidney failure can make urine smell strongly of ammonia or have a fishy odor, often due to built-up waste products (amines) or infection, signaling concentrated urine from dehydration or kidney dysfunction. Other signs alongside bad-smelling urine include foamy, bloody, or cola-colored urine, swelling, fatigue, and changes in urination, all pointing to potential kidney issues that require a doctor's evaluation.
But the smell of unhealthy urine is noticeably different, and the exact type of smell depends on the cause. For example, an infection may cause your urine to smell like rotten eggs or rotting fish. But if you have diabetes or a condition that affects your metabolism, your urine may smell sweet.
Patients affected by trimethylaminuria will often have fishy-smelling urine. Trimethylaminuria is a genetic disorder in which affected individuals have an enzymatic deficiency that makes them unable to metabolize TMA. Because they cannot metabolize TMA, affected individuals have a buildup of TMA in their bodies.
Foetor hepaticus is a feature of severe liver disease; a sweet and musty smell both on the breath and in urine. It is caused by the excretion of dimethyl disulphide and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH)2, arising from an excess of methionine.
Yoghurt, kefir, and fermented foods help restore good bacteria in your gut and urinary tract. This is one of the lesser-known but powerful smelly urine home remedies, especially if the odour is accompanied by discomfort or recurring infections.
While strong- smelling foods like fish, garlic, or asparagus can subtly affect body odor through sweat, they are rarely the direct cause of a persistent, distinct fishy smell from the vagina. This specific type of odor typically points to an internal imbalance.
Foods/Vitamins/Medications
There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. Most everyone knows about asparagus pee, but there are some other foods and medications that can also change the odor of the urine. Some of the common ones are: Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, curry, and salmon.
Trimethylamine has been described as smelling like rotten or decaying fish. As this compound builds up in the body, it causes affected people to give off a strong fishy odor in their sweat, urine, and breath.
When no other symptoms are present, fishy-smelling urine may disappear without treatment in a few days. If this does not happen, a person should consult a doctor. People who also have pain, a fever, or signs of kidney or liver problems should call a doctor or visit the emergency room immediately.
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.
Fishy vaginal odor can be due to infection, dehydration, sweat, hygiene practices, and a rare genetic condition like trimethylaminuria. Occasional changes in odor that resolve with hygiene are normal.
If your kidneys aren't working properly, you may notice one or more of the following signs:
Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands.
Caring for Your Kidney
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.
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.
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.