what are the causes and how to avoid it?

The vagina is a very sensitive intimate part that is part of the female reproductive system. The organ is located between the rectum and the bladder and opens at the level of the vulva. It is covered with a mucous membrane, has the shape of a tube and measures about ten centimeters according to women. It also has its own “ecosystem”, that is to say its own flora, just like the intestine for example. This vaginal flora is very important to protect the vagina from bacterial infection or other types of infections. But it is very sensitive and can quickly go wrong.

Result: many inconveniences can occur, such as itchy vagina, and odors often compared to the smell of fish, “abnormal” losses, unusual discharge, different secretions… Know that if you experience any of these inconveniences, your body is telling you that there is a problem. These are symptoms. Do not panic, it is often not very serious. An appointment with a healthcare professional for find a treatment for vaginal odor can fix the problem and bring your vagina back to health.

Vagina smell: what are the causes?

An odor that comes from the vagina, whether it resembles that of fish or not, can have several causes:

• Poor hygiene. It is important to clean your intimate area every day, but without attacking the vaginal flora by washing the inside of the vagina. The latter is self-cleaning but around, at the level of the vulva, it is necessary to clean well. We prefer the mild products with neutral pH so as not to dry out this fragile area. Contrary to the lack of hygiene, an overly aggressive personal hygiene can also disrupt the vaginal flora and cause bad odors. Exit the products in this intimate area, we let it do its job alone.
• Bacterial vaginosis. It often affects women before the age of 45. How do you know if you have vaginosis? Vaginal discharge is profuse and smelly, especially after intercourse. “A fishy smell is characteristic of Gardnerella vaginalis, a bacterium often involved in vaginosis. You may also experience itching and swelling in the vulva”, indicates LIVI, a specialized site.
• A trichomoniasis. It is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause unpleasant odors and thick, yellow discharge. It must be treated and taken care of.
• A vaginal mycosis. The flora of the vagina being very fragile, a vaginal mycosis can quickly settle there and cause, among other things, itching and bad odors.
• Hormone changes. Throughout her life, a woman experiences hormonal ups and downs. During menopause, the odors of vaginal discharge may change.
• More serious diseases such as cervical cancer can also cause odor to appear, but this is much rarer. It should be remembered that screening for this cancer is essential and should be carried out from the age of 25.

How to avoid or get rid of vaginal odor?

Vaginal odors are accompanied by secretions that differ from those observed in normal times. To treat them, you have to address the cause of the problem. Thereby, do not hesitate to consult a general practitioner and / or a gynecologist or other women’s health specialist for guidance on how to get rid of vaginal odor. Treatments and solutions depend on the cause:

• If you perform too aggressive intimate toilets, stop and bet on a gentle routine. Do not introduce any product into your vagina to “wash” it.
• If you suffer from vaginosis, a treatment in the form of cream or tablets may be prescribed to you by a healthcare professional.
• If you have trichomoniasis, the healthcare professional will advise you on antibiotics.
• If it’s a vaginal yeast infection that’s causing bad odor, then oral or vaginal treatment (in the form of an egg to insert) can be prescribed.
• If you are pregnant or going through menopause, then a gynecologist or doctor can try to determine an appropriate solution, but it depends on each person.