Many women today notice all of a sudden their vagina starts smelling and they wonder what it is and how it started. In healthy women, vaginal secretions can vary in consistency, Colour and smell throughout the monthly menstrual cycle. A strong, unusual or bad vaginal odour can occur for a number of reasons, including sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal infections, cervical cancer or poor hygiene. Women who notice a change in the appearance or odour of their vaginal secretions should speak with a doctor for further evaluation and care.
Causes.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
Certain types of sexually transmitted diseases, such as trichomoniasis, can cause women to develop an unusually strong or bad vaginal odour. These symptoms can develop within a week following exposure to a sexually transmitted disease and may progressively worsen until receipt of treatment. Unusual vaginal odour caused by a sexually transmitted disease is often accompanied by other symptoms, including flu-like symptoms, abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, pain during urination or. vaginal skin lesions.
Vaginal infections
Vaginal infections caused by the overgrowth of naturally- occurring yeast or bacteria can cause bad vaginal odour to arise in certain women. A vaginal yeast infection can cause a woman to develop unusually thick, white vaginal discharge that may emit a yeast-like odour. Women who develop bacterial vaginosis can develop profuse vaginal discharge that is thick or discolored and gives off a strong, fish-like odour. Bad vaginal odour symptoms caused by vaginal infections typically persist until affected women receive appropriate antibiotic or antifungal treatment.
Cervical cancer.
Bad vaginal odor can be caused by the presence of cancerous cells within the cervix. Health officials have reported that unusual, watery discharge that emits a foul odour can be a symptom of cervical cancer in certain women. Women who develop bad vaginal odour in addition to pelvic pain or irregular vaginal bleeding should seek medical care immediately.
Poor hygiene
Poor hygiene can be a cause of bad vaginal odor in certain women. Warm, moist areas, such as the vagina, are common sites for pathogen overgrowth. Cleansing the external region of the vagina with water or soap can limit bad vaginal odour symptoms in certain women. Bad vaginal odour may also occur if a woman forgets to remove a tampon from her vagina.
Treatment
Diagnosis is usually made based on your symptoms and results of urine tests and vaginal cultures (samples checked in the lab). Treatment is based on the organism causing the infection. Depending on the cause of the infection, your health care practitioner may prescribe vaginal suppositories, antifungal pills, or antibiotics (as pills or an injection). Treatment varies depending on which form of vaginitis you have, the severity of infection, duration of infection, recurrence of infection, and whether you are pregnant.
In cases of odour caused by hygiene, constant proper washing and use of disinfectants or antiseptics will help remove smell.
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