Symptoms: there are no noticeable symptoms in around half of women with the condition, and there is usually no vaginal soreness or itching. Symptoms may include a greyish-white, thin and watery vaginal discharge with a strong fishy smell, especially after sex.
Typical symptoms include irregular menstruation associated with symptoms of increased male hormone, included but not limited to problems with acne, increased facial hair growth, hair loss from the scalp, or abnormal body odor.
Conclusion: Yes, Hormone Imbalance Can Indirectly Cause BV
vaginalis in the vagina.
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is an uncommon condition that causes an unpleasant, fishy smell. It's also called "fish odour syndrome". Sometimes it's caused by faulty genes that a person inherits from their parents, but this isn't always the case. There's currently no cure, but there are things that can help.
Hormonal imbalances related to stress, diet, or underlying medical conditions can cause heavier vaginal discharge. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for example, refers to a set of symptoms that occur as a result of hormonal imbalances.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. It may cause a brown discharge from irregular, light bleeding.
Healthcare providers may recommend using low-pH (acidic) soaps and lotions to reduce odor. They may also suggest ways you can avoid sweating, like changing your exercise routine.
Menstrual cycle. Sometimes, a fishy vaginal odor crops up just before the start of your period, due to changing bacteria and acidity levels. During menstruation, the blood (which has an elevated pH) and uterine lining mix with vaginal microflora, subtly altering the smell.
Increased blood flow to your vagina and changing levels of pregnancy hormones, like estrogen, progesterone and prolactin can affect your pH level and cause new smells.
Bacteroides, as a kind of pro-inflammatory bacteria, is reported be associated with promoting the insulin resistance (36), hormonal disturbance, and inflammation in PCOS women.
PCOS belly refers to the abdominal fat causing an increased waist-to-hip ratio, PCOS Belly will look like an apple-shaped belly rather than a pear-shaped belly. One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is weight gain, particularly around the abdominal area.
The time to worry about your discharge is if it starts to have a bad, fishy kind of odor, or if the color or texture changes a lot. Yellow or green discharge can be a sign of an infection, like an STD or bacterial vaginosis, and very thick white discharge could mean you have a yeast infection.
No shocker here: It's likely due to a yeast issue. “It's a yeasty smell,” says Dr. Streicher. “It's not leave-the-room bad, but it has a characteristic scent.” The pH of your vagina doesn't actually change when you have a yeast issue—it's just that yeast has an odor.
Apocrine glands open up into your hair follicles. Hair follicles are the tube-like structure that keeps your hair in your skin. You can find apocrine glands in your groin and armpits. These glands produce sweat that can smell when it comes in contact with bacteria on your skin.
Bacterial vaginitis (BV) can produce a fishy odor that is also accompanied by increased vaginal discharge, irritation, burning and sometimes itching. It is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria that disrupts the balance of healthy bacteria that live within the vagina.
'The vagina has a natural bacterial flora that's there to keep a good balance,' explains Dr Rosén. It's because of this natural bacteria that the cervical mucus in the vagina always has a smell. You may also experience changes throughout your menstrual cycle as the pH balance in your vagina changes.
If your odor is not fishy or yeasty and you have no uncomfortable symptoms (discharge, itch or irritation), your vaginal odor is most likely to be normal. All women have some natural vaginal odor. This scent will vary by person and may be described as fleshy or musky.
Trimethylaminuria is a disorder in which the body is unable to break down trimethylamine, a chemical compound that has a pungent odor. Trimethylamine has been described as smelling like rotten or decaying fish.
Unmanaged PCOS can impact short and long term health. It's associated with type 2 diabetes, infertility, cardiovascular disease, obesity, sleep apnea (disrupted breathing in sleep), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and depression (9-11). Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce these risks significantly.
Women with PCOS can develop serious health problems, especially if they are overweight: Diabetes—more than half of women with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes by age 40.