Although a healthy vagina has a scent, which may change or get stronger during sexual arousal, it should not have an unpleasant smell. A strong or foul vaginal odor or a change in vaginal odor may be signs that you have an infection. Severalvaginal infections, bothsexually transmitted infections (STIs)and sexually associated infections, can affect vaginal odor.
If the smell of your vagina has changed or become unpleasant, or if you have a change in yourvaginal discharge, it’s a good idea to call your healthcare provider.
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Infections Causing Vaginal Odor Changes
These infections may cause a change in vaginal odor.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
The infection most associated with a change in vaginal smell is bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis results from an overgrowth of bacteria usually found in the vagina that throws off the natural balance. BV is not necessarily an STI, although it is associated with sexual behavior and can be sexually transmitted in women who have sex with women.
One of the main symptoms of BV is a strong, fishy odor that is particularly prominent after penile-vaginal sex.The smell increases at that time because semen reduces the acidity of the vagina, and the chemical compounds that produce the smell are more noticeable at a higher pH.
An Overview of Bacterial Vaginosis
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis can also cause a change in vaginal odor, while males rarely havesymptoms.
What Is Trichomoniasis?
Yeast Infection
Yeast infectionsare fungal infections causing irritation in the vulva and vagina, as well as changes in vaginal odor. Yeast infections are not sexually transmitted and, although they are sometimes associated with sex, some people are prone to them for other reasons.
For example, people with uncontrolled diabetes may be at higher risk of yeast infections because yeast likes to feed on the excess sugar in their urine.
Yeast Infections
Other Causes
That doesn’t mean that getting appropriate care is any less important. Left untreated, bacterial vaginosis, for example, can potentially leave you vulnerable to more serious infections. This includespelvic inflammatory disease(PID), which is caused when bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, which can affect fertility.
Avoid Vaginal Deodorants and Douches
Masking the odor doesn’t fix the problem that is causing it, and the products you use to do so may make an infection worse.
Douching, in fact, can cause harm if you have a vaginal infection. There has been some research that suggests douching when you have an infection can increase the risk of it traveling to your uterus and causing PID.
Again, the best thing to do if you’re concerned about a change in your vaginal odor is to call your practitioner.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - bacterial vaginosis. Feb 8, 2017.STD Facts - Trichomoniasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jan 31, 2017.Rodrigues CF, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M. Candida sp.Infections in patients with diabetes mellitus.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1) doi:10.3390/jcm8010076Office of Women’s HealthPelvic inflammatory disease. Apr 1, 2019.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - bacterial vaginosis. Feb 8, 2017.STD Facts - Trichomoniasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jan 31, 2017.Rodrigues CF, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M. Candida sp.Infections in patients with diabetes mellitus.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1) doi:10.3390/jcm8010076Office of Women’s HealthPelvic inflammatory disease. Apr 1, 2019.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - bacterial vaginosis. Feb 8, 2017.STD Facts - Trichomoniasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jan 31, 2017.Rodrigues CF, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M. Candida sp.Infections in patients with diabetes mellitus.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1) doi:10.3390/jcm8010076Office of Women’s HealthPelvic inflammatory disease. Apr 1, 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts - bacterial vaginosis. Feb 8, 2017.
STD Facts - Trichomoniasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jan 31, 2017.
Rodrigues CF, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M. Candida sp.Infections in patients with diabetes mellitus.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1) doi:10.3390/jcm8010076
Office of Women’s HealthPelvic inflammatory disease. Apr 1, 2019.
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