You may have bacterial vaginosis if the fishy smell is accompanied by: Bacterial vaginosis may be noticeable during your period, but its not caused by your menstrual cycle. a cold compress or ice 5 to 10 minutes at a time to relieve pain and swelling . Some vaginal odor is normal and to be expected. According to the Eastern Carolina University Family Practice Center, you should change your pad or tampon every three to four hours 2. 10 . The Best Period Underwear Options for Any Situation, COVID-19 Vaccine May Cause Temporary, Minor Disruptions in Menstrual Cycle. Once the bacteria is balanced out after treatment, you should no longer notice any unusual smells or other symptoms during your period. Itching can also indicate that you may have an infection. ", because I have a little smell while I'm on my period. A period so heavy that it prevents you from doing everyday activities isnt, A menstrual period is vaginal bleeding that occurs at the end of the monthly menstrual cycle. Is there anything from the pharmacy I could try for the smell if all of the things listed in the article were unsuccessful? Your own menstrual scent is normal and you shouldn't aim to have a completely scent-free period. Here are our top picks. You should also avoid wearing thongs during your period, which can transfer bacteria from your anus to your vagina and cause infections. You may also experience missed periods followed by brown discharge if youve recently started using a new hormonal birth control. A menstrual period consists of the shedding of an unfertilized egg, blood, and uterine lining tissues. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005. Smelly discharge from vagina, especially after periods, is a problem that majority of the females have to face every month. Your first period usually comes about two years after the very. Use a menstrual cup instead of tampons; as your vagina changes pH during your period, the old pH discharge will be emptied out every time, rather than letting it sit against your vaginal walls soaked into a tampon. A slightly sweet or bittersweet smell, like molasses or gingerbread, may also be a sign that your pH levels have changed. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. The main reason being that your gut bacteria change during your period, which can make . Smegma can occur in uncircumcised males, causing dead skin cells, fluids, and oils to build up. ago. Use the recommended amount of detergent and be sure you wash everything, including your underwear, daily. As your body prepares for your period; you might experience general symptoms known as PMS (premenstrual syndrome), which can include bloating, tiredness, moodiness, food cravings, headaches, and cramps. Changes to your menstrual cycle, such as missed periods or irregular periods, or heavy periods could also indicate a problem. Wear Loose-Fitting Bottoms and Cotton Underwear. PCOS and perimenopause are common causes. Any odors you might notice during your period can also fluctuate. You might want to consider seeing a doctor to get checked for a vaginal infection, especially if the odor persists after your period ends. What Can I Do About My Post-Period Funky Odor? All rights reserved. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Menstruation in girls and adolescents: Using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Change sanitary pads and tampons frequently. How to decode your vaginal discharge - and when to worry. Find out what could be causing it and how to prevent it in the future. Blood that's sticky or clotting together is normal during this. Pelvic inflammatory disease. This occurs when you forget to remove your tampon, and the old tampon is still in your body. 5. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss antibiotic treatments to stop the infection. Avoid perfumed soaps and deodorants. 2. I avoided using scented feminine products and douches in the vaginal area. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I can always depend on it when I need, "Learning how to prepare for your first period was helpful. ", "It helped me a lot I now know how to keep myself fresh and comfortable even if I'm on my periods.". When could brown discharge be the sign of a problem? If you already notice a strong odor, try some of the following tips for good vaginal hygiene (and if that doesn't help, consult a doctor): This occurs when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina is altered by the hormonal changes, leading to multiplication of the fungi. % of people told us that this article helped them. Higher levels of male hormones cause irregular periods and sometimes no period at all. Learn about orange vaginal discharge. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Sanitary napkins frequently present a more noticeable smell. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Instead of using perfume to mask. References Early Signs Of Alzheimers May Appear In Your Eyes. Avoid Douching. Brown discharge can be a sign of a problem when its accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, itching, and a strong odor. As a result, smegma that is thick, whitish, and has a strong odor can build up underneath the . Often, drinking more water will clear the odor. This article was co-authored by Carrie Noriega, MD. Wash using mild soap and warm water: Dont frequently douche. 6. As a general rule, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, will elicit a softer scent compared to greasy, fast foods. The vagina's acidic environment and the presence of different types of healthful bacteria may. In fact, some soaps may make things worse, changing the environment in a way that leads to bacterial growth. However, according to some physicians, the infection could spread up to the fallopian tubes. Brown discharge after a period is usually old or dried blood that was slow to leave your uterus. A rotten smell can occur when a tampon is left in for too long or forgotten. Spray the mixture under your arms. Don't be afraid to ask a friend for a tampon or pad if you need one. While the scientific evidence is still sketchy, there is some suggestion that certain oral probiotics can protect against bacterial vaginosis. If you have other worrying symptoms or theres a chance you could be pregnant or miscarrying, make an appointment to see a doctor. Maintaining good hygiene is key to avoiding health problems and abnormal odors.. If you are really worried, or have been experiencing PMS, bring pads or tampons and extra underwear to school. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. However, menstrual odor can be an especially annoying, as well as potentially embarrassing, issue for lots of people. This article has been viewed 533,314 times. Its also a lot stronger than a normal period smell. If your period smells and you notice unusual symptoms, see your doctor. You may see red, brown, and even black blood during your period. What deodorant is best for armpits that smell? I noticed that there was a brownish fishy-smelling discharge after period. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Your period blood is actually to blame. It is a quite annoying problem and can lead to major discomfort and embarrassment during intimate moments. Learn more about some of the common odors associated with periods, and which symptoms warrant a doctors visit. Other signs and symptoms of early pregnancy include: While brown discharge after a period by itself usually isnt a big deal, it could indicate a problem when accompanied by other symptoms. Douching may also increase your risk for this type of infection. "I just got my first period and I am the oldest, and my mom is barely around. pH balance pills and probiotics may help balance your vagina's natural pH level. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. It is impossible for a tampon to get "lost" in your body, so if it's still in there, you should be able to. I passed urine immediately after sex. "Healthy" periods can have a slight smell of blood. If tight clothes or jeans are worn regularly, they may lead to excessive vaginal sweating, which in turn triggers bacteria build-up, thereby leading to unpleasant smells. -By Dont be fooled by advertising that claims you need expensive products to be clean. Geographical prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome as determined by region and race/ethnicity. Hence, prompt medical attention and treatment is important. If the smell is very strong, fishy, foul, or is otherwise abnormal for you, and you have been washing daily, there is probably an underlying cause. Enjoy! A change in vaginal odor can be due to the last food you ate, sex, hormones, or a medical symptom. See additional information. Good hygiene practices can also combat normal period odors and make you more comfortable during menstruation. Menstrual odor is usually mild and not detectable by those around you. Throughout your menstrual cycle, the color and consistency of blood can change. Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ that naturally produces the right balance of mucus to flush out any contaminants, and a douche or wash can disrupt your pH balance and lead to infection. Trichomoniasis, aka trich, can cause a putrid, fishy odor from the penis or vagina. This article was co-authored by Carrie Noriega, MD. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Get acquainted with your natural smell. Many women suffer from misinformation and insecurity regarding vaginal odor. Here's what the different period blood colors mean and when to see your doctor. But if you start noticing anything out of the ordinary, you may want to get it checked out. Stainless steel soap or even just rubbing your hands on stainless steel can help a lot, I've found. DOI: What can cause brown discharge after a period? Again, never leave a tampon in for more than eight hours, even for overnight wear, and never wear a tampon that is a higher absorbency than you need to reduce your risk of TSS. You can place a clove of garlic into your vagina for around 2 hours. With cloth pads, I rinse/wring them out until most of the blood is gone, then put them in the washer with baking soda in the prewash and vinegar in the fabric softener. In such cases, the odors are accompanied by other symptoms, such as vaginal discharge or pelvic pain thats not related to normal menstruation. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1864780-v4-728px-Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"