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.
Common causes of a fishy odour include poor hygiene, gingivitis, bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections. Advanced kidney or liver disease may also cause this condition. In the patient described here, a less common cause was found.
You may experience a foul or lingering odor as a result of hemorrhoids. Some people experience a fishy smell from the lower rectal region. The smell can be from a mucus discharge produced by the lining of the enlarged hemorrhoids and excreted from your rectum.
A buildup of smegma.
This is known as smegma, and it's made up of dead skin cells, skin oils, and other substances on the body. Bacteria can easily get a foothold here and grow fast, which means a fishy penis odor is likely to emanate from any area that has a smegma buildup.
You see, wiping with standard toilet paper doesn't clean the poop off your butthole—it just smears it around. Those fecal remnants cling to your butt hair and fester for hours, leading to an ungodly stench.
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.
Vaginal odor can be caused by diet, sweating, menstruation, or pregnancy. It can sometimes also be caused by infections like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
If you have diabetes, a change in body odor could be a sign of diabetes-related ketoacidosis. High ketone levels cause your blood to become acidic and your body odor to be fruity. In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.
The best way to keep your private parts smelling OK is to take regular showers or baths, wash the outside of your vulva or penis with warm water and a little soap, and wear clean, dry underwear. Other than that, there's no need to use douches or special washes.
Even the smallest change can throw off a person's PH. So, the healthiest way to clean the vulva (which is the external genital area around the vaginal opening) is gently—this skin is soft and sensitive y'all! — with water and unscented soap; or even just plain water. The vagina (the internal part) is self-cleaning.
Tight clothing
Even if you're not very active, wearing very tight pants or underwear can cause your vagina to sweat. This, again, can cause vaginal odor.
Excess vaginal discharge can occur due to arousal, ovulation, or infections. Normal vaginal discharge contains a mixture of cervical mucus, vaginal fluid, dead cells, and bacteria. Females may experience heavy vaginal discharge from arousal or during ovulation.
As gross as it may sound, sweat is the number one cause for the smell emitting from most office chairs. The moisture from sweat, coupled with the accumulation of dust and bacteria, create the perfect mixture for bad smells. Body odor can also transfer to the office chair material, making for an embarrassing situation.
Groin sweat contains fatty acids and proteins which feed bacteria. As the bacteria break down the nutrients in groin sweat, foul-smelling acids are left behind.
It may sound like a made-up condition, but tight pants syndrome is an actual medical disorder known as meralgia paresthetica. It's caused by tight pants that compress the nerve that runs from the base of the spine down the legs.
Wearing nylon underwear or tight yoga pants can block air movement in the vaginal area, which can cause increased bacteria growth.
Many women become concerned that other people can detect the odor around their vulva and vagina. In reality, women are most sensitive to their own odor, and it's very unlikely that others who don't have intimate contact with them can smell it.
BV is a result of an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV.