How to get rid of unpleasant vaginal odor! Understanding what
your particular feminine odor means and how to treat this
sometimes-embarrassing problem.
If you are a woman of child bearing age, then you would have some sort of vaginal odor.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
states that feminine odor changes throughout your normal monthly
menstrual cycle, and is subject to outside situations such as the
presence of bacteria, foods that you eat, or hormonal functions. The
reason is simple. The vagina is prone to vaginal secretions and
discharge due to a malady of factors that affect the way it smells.
This, is nothing to be embarrassed about. In short, at any given time –
your vagina will have a smell to it. Just like your breath or your feet,
there is a certain odor associated with the vagina.
However, at times many women notice that their vagina smells
differently. It may smell metallic, or musty or even give off somewhat
of a ‘fishy’ smell. These different odors, are often associated with
bacterial or yeast infections and occur alongside vaginal itchiness,
burning, irritation, and a change in what would be considered your
normal monthly menstrual discharge.
Why do yeast infections smell bad, and how can I treat it?
First off, you don’t give much information
in your question. Is the patient male or female? What part of the body
is affected? There are different types of “yeast” infections
(Candidiasis). Yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of the fungus
Candida, which is normally present pretty much everywhere, including in
and on the body. In healthy individuals, the yeast is kept in check by
the immune system, and natural bacteria present in the body. Weakened
immune system, or taking antibiotics can upset this balance, leading to
overgrowth of yeast in the mouth, on skin, or within the vagina. If you
are referring to a vaginal yeast infection, typically a true vaginal
yeast infection will not produce any odor. If a patient is experiencing
vaginal discomfort, and discharge with a strong odor, it is typically
indicative of bacterial vaginosis, NOT a yeast infection. This is an
important distinction, because bacterial vaginosis, as the name implies,
is a bacterial infection, which should be treated with antibiotics,
whereas a true “yeast” infection is a fungal infection, which would be
exacerbated if treated with antibiotics. Yeast infection is typically
treated with antifungal creams, along with internal creams or
suppositories for vaginal infections. Both of these are available over
the counter. However, if strong odor is present, it really is important
to consult a physician in order to properly diagnose the problem. If it
turns out to be bacterial, which again is more likely if odor is
present, the patient will need prescription antibiotics.
