I pray that the smell is just musky, which means healthy, and not fishy, which means my bacterial vaginosis, otherwise known as BV, is back. When you are stressed or anxious, the apocrine glands produce a milky fluid. If the smell is putrid, like a dead organism, it may not be your vagina but something in your vagina. But a strong odor – one that many women describe as “fishy” – could be a sign of infection. It’s one of those topics that’s so taboo, you might be too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. This is usually nothing to worry about. I did my some womens health for my FNP. Bacterial vaginosis can cause a watery, white or grey vaginal discharge with a strong smell. We called up Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, who has over 30 years of experience working in women’s health. She helped us get down to specifics with all the medical accuracy but less of the medical jargon. Bacterial Vaginosis vs. Yeast Infection: Which Is It? These include ongoing itchiness, discharge, and unusual odors. Learn more about vaccine availability. Here is how to treat and help prevent…. Your vagina, by nature, has a slight smell. It could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. I am told it helps to balance the pH levels. The same thingeven after he washes sometomes i can still smell it, my hands smell. Taking probiotics and eating yogurt with “live and active cultures” may help restore the bacterial balance in the vagina, she says. At the risk of stating the obvious, everyone’s genitals smell. This common infection is an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. Here is your medically accurate guide to vaginal odors. The culprit is likely bacterial vaginosis (BV). Around a third of women who take antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) find that the problem recurs within the next two to three months. BV is an overgrowth of the natural bacteria of the vagina—it’s not at all sexually transmitted, says Sasan. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Follow more of her work on Medium or follow her on Twitter. Its hallmark is a foul-smelling vaginal discharge that’s off-white or grayish. Just take a quick trip to your local drugstore. Decomposing fish is the more apt comparison. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Semen has a relatively high pH, so it’s super normal to notice a different kind of smell after you’ve had penile vaginal sex. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Men carry bacterial vaginosis (BV) bacteria and biofilms on and in their penis and urethra, and are passing it around to their female sexual partners – this is why ‘a new sexual partner’ is one of … Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 53 years experience Obstetrics and Gynecology "BV" ? You may have acquired … And there are lots of things that affect your pH. Many people report smelling a coppery, metallic vaginal odor. Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2021. So don’t put off mentioning any unusual vaginal odor that’s got you feeling self-conscious or keeping you from enjoying intimate moments. What are symptoms of BV? Here’s how you can tell the difference: Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a “fishy” smell. … The truth is, your vagina is home to billions of bacteria. Symptoms may include: Strong fishy or unpleasant vaginal odor, which may be stronger after sex or menstruating Increase in vaginal discharge (about 50 percent of the time) Vaginal discharge that is … But if you do have symptoms, the main ones to look for include a thin, white or gray vaginal discharge, itching in or around the vagina, and a strong fishy smell, says Dr. Svets. But because I started to eat all the same foods again, it came back. Tips to Treat and Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis, vaginal bleeding unrelated to your period. And, surprisingly, the first things you might want to reach for to counteract the offending odor is more likely to make the problem worse. The better you understand the smells your vagina produces day to day, the more prepared you’ll be when something goes amiss. The telltale sign that it's BV and not something else is that the discharge turns gray or grayish white, and omits a fishy odor. It’s about time we start understanding what they’re really all about. They’re the ones that make your face scrunch up. Bacterial vaginosis may develop soon after sex with a new partner. I used to have supervisor who had BV. One day she didn't come to work and one of my co-workers took a can … Dr. Goje notes that others may catch the infection from you. About half of women who have bacterial vaginosis do not notice any symptoms. The metallic scent shouldn’t linger too long after your period is over. Coronavirus: Now contacting patients to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. 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