Have you noticed an unpleasant smell in your private parts? A bad smell even after the shower, a smell of fish? Infection, forgotten tampon… List of causes and solutions.
What does the vagina smell like? It’s hard to know precisely. On the other hand, we can be vigilant about that of her secretions and of the vulva as a whole. Vaginal secretions are more or less abundant depending on the woman. Naturally colorless, painless and odorless, they punctuate the menstrual cycle. “They are made up of a liquid produced by the vagina and the vaginal bacterial floraexplains gynecologist Odile Bagot in her book “Vagin & Cie we tell you everything” (Editions Mango). The vagina is covered with a film consisting mainly of water and other substances. This mucus that lines the vaginal walls is multifunctional. It ensures the immune defense of the vagina, it eliminates dead cells by self-cleaning, it promotes the balance of the vaginal flora and participates in lubrication during sexual intercourse.“Problem, it sometimes happens that this flora is unbalanced favoring the development of bad odours. Other causes may also be responsible. Fortunately, there are always solutions.
What is the normal smell of the vagina?
Generally, we ask ourselves the question of the normal smell of the vagina when we perceive a bad one in this intimate area. “The vagina or rather the vulva has almost no smell, answers Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist. In the same way the vaginal secretions do not have any either, except that with a very fine nose, they have a slightly sour smell. But never a strong odor that you can smell outside.” In any case, when all is well…
What does an intimate smell of fish mean?
“The most abnormal odor characteristic of an infection is that of vaginosis“ says Dr. Bagot. This is a “imbalance of the vaginal flora linked to the increase in the pH of the vagina. The good germs that secrete lactic acid to acidify it decrease, giving way to bad germs such asis gardnerella.” The signs: slightly colored secretions and a smell of spoiled fish. It’s not serious. In case of discomfort, consult a doctor who will prescribe an antibiotic (Secnol©, Flagyl©) and eggs. And/or rebalance its flora with products containing lactic acid (Hydralin balance©, Polybactum©) and/or probiotics (oral or vaginal). Wash with an intimate soap suitable for daily cleansing. Sexual intercourse is not to be banned but the smell can be stronger on contact with sperm.
What does a persistent bad smell mean?
“Another cause of terrible smell is forgetting the tampon in the vagina. It takes a good week before it really starts to smell, but after the woman washes herself 10 times a day, the smell doesn’t go away, that’s typical.” In this case, only one solution: go to the doctor to have the tampon removed.
What about toxic shock? “We must not panic the women, says the specialist. Forgetting a tampon is rare, toxic shock too. And it can also occur with a sanitary napkin or a cup and not only with a tampon kept too long.”
What does a bad intimate smell mean when it’s hot?
It’s hot, you’re a little tight in your pants at the crotch… and you smell bad intimate odors? “This can come from heat-related maceration, particularly in women who are slightly overweight. says gynecologist Odile Bagot. In this case : use cotton panties, favor skirts and wash the perianal area well without forgetting to dry it well afterwards (the inter-gluteal fold is an area conducive to maceration).
What causes a bad smell after intercourse?
Without being unpleasant, it can happen to smell a particular odor at the level of the vaginal secretions after a sexual intercourse. It may be the smell of semen that ends up in the vaginal cul-de-sac: “It coagulates at the bottom of the vagina and liquefies the next day which can give an odor (when it flows in the vagina)“, explains Dr. Odile Bagot. No worries in this case, this smell will disappear very quickly!
What causes bad smelling urine?
In France, about 3 million women are affected by urinary incontinence but the majority do not say so, out of shame. But getting older doesn’t help. According to’AFU, this disorder concerns more than 45% of women after 75 years. With two peaks: one at 45-50 years old at the time of menopause, and a second after 75 years old. “Women who just have incontinence while coughing are still fine, but when there are drip leaks all the time, it’s never dry and suddenly it smells bad” comments Dr. Bagot. However, she recalls that “Incontinence can be explored, it can be treated and there are other solutions than putting on diapers”. Clear : “It is necessary to talk about it.”
What Causes Bad Menstrual Smells?
The flow of blood during menstruation is not without smell. But “if they smell strong, they can be associated with vaginosis because the presence of blood, by increasing the pH of the vagina, can promote the development of gardnerella” explains Dr. Bagot. What to do ? Be vigilant on the toilet especially during menstruation. Wash the vulva (never the inside of the vagina!) with a gynecological soap suitable for daily cleansing or with the usual soap if it does not cause irritation or dryness. Change your protections regularly to avoid maceration.
What is the evocative smell of a yeast infection?
A mycosis itches, causes more white losses, can prevent you from sleeping… but it has no smell. Caused by the excessive development of a fungus called Candida Albicans, mycosis requires a medical consultation and the prescription of a treatment: “An antifungal cream brings some relief to burns but does not cure mycosis, indicates Odile Bagot, it is imperative to always combine it with a vaginal egg and a gynecological soap with a basic pH.”
Thanks to Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist.