Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to See a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
All vaginas have an odor, including healthy ones. Hormones, sweat,normal bacteria, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, sex, and even daily habits like what you eat and wear can all influence healthy vaginal odor.
This article will discuss common vaginal odors, when to see a healthcare provider, and how to treat vaginal odor if necessary.
Jan Hakan Dahlstrom / Getty Images
Symptoms of Vaginal Odor
First, it’s important to note that the presence of an odor in the vaginal and vulva area is normal.
Some common odors that are usually nothing to worry about include:
Some odors that may indicate a problem include:
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Causes of Vaginal Odor
Several problems can lead to unpleasant vaginal odor. Three common ones are bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and yeast infection.
Many people with BV don’t have symptoms, but some experience symptoms such as:
Trich does not always have noticeable symptoms, but possible symptoms include:
Yeast infection: This is a fungal infection of the vagina and/or vulva.
Symptoms of a yeast infection can include:
What Medications Can Cause Vaginal Odor?
Antibiotics can increase the likelihood of developing a yeast infection or BV.Corticosteroid medicines can also increase the chance of a yeast infection.
Ditch the DoucheSome people turn to douching (squirting water or other mixtures of fluids such as vinegar into the vagina) thinking it can help or prevent vaginal odors. The opposite is true. Douching upsets the balance of the bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to infection or irritation, increasing the chances of unpleasant vaginal odors.If there is a vaginal infection already present, douching can cause the infection to spread up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, possibly leading to a serious health condition calledpelvic inflammatory disease.
Ditch the Douche
Some people turn to douching (squirting water or other mixtures of fluids such as vinegar into the vagina) thinking it can help or prevent vaginal odors. The opposite is true. Douching upsets the balance of the bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to infection or irritation, increasing the chances of unpleasant vaginal odors.If there is a vaginal infection already present, douching can cause the infection to spread up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, possibly leading to a serious health condition calledpelvic inflammatory disease.
Some people turn to douching (squirting water or other mixtures of fluids such as vinegar into the vagina) thinking it can help or prevent vaginal odors. The opposite is true. Douching upsets the balance of the bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to infection or irritation, increasing the chances of unpleasant vaginal odors.
If there is a vaginal infection already present, douching can cause the infection to spread up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, possibly leading to a serious health condition calledpelvic inflammatory disease.
How to Treat Vaginal Odor
For example:
Measures you can take to try to reduce the potency of normal vaginal odors and help prevent infection include:
Complications Associated With Vaginal Odor
BV andtrichcan lead to:
Some people with PID show no symptoms, while others have symptoms that range from mild to serious. Symptoms include:
PID can develop quickly, with extreme pain and fever. Without treatment, PID can lead to problems such as:
If you have signs of PID, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Vaginal Odor?
To determine the cause of the vaginal odor, a healthcare provider may:
When to See a Healthcare Provider for Vaginal Odor
Contact a healthcare provider if you are experiencing:
Summary
Some degree of vaginal odor is normal. A vaginal odor that is particularly strong or foul, such as a fishy smell, may indicate a problem, such as an infection. Bacterial vaginosis, trich, or yeast infections are common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor.
Avoid:
Learn MoreAre Vaginal Douches Safe or Not?
Learn MoreVaginal Odor: Understanding Changes
If the odor is simply how your vagina naturally smells, you don’t need to do anything at all.
Some things you can try to keep your vagina in balance include gently washing your vulva with water only (or gentle, unscented soap), wearing breathable clothing, and using a condom for penis-in-vagina sex.
Learn More6 Ways to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis From Happening Again
11 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.Moreland OB-GYN.Vaginal odor: what is normal?University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Vaginal odor: what’s normal and what’s not.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville.Common vaginal odors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.Office on Women’s Health.Douching.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.
11 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.Moreland OB-GYN.Vaginal odor: what is normal?University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Vaginal odor: what’s normal and what’s not.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville.Common vaginal odors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.Office on Women’s Health.Douching.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.
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.
Moreland OB-GYN.Vaginal odor: what is normal?University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Vaginal odor: what’s normal and what’s not.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville.Common vaginal odors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.Office on Women’s Health.Douching.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.
Moreland OB-GYN.Vaginal odor: what is normal?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Vaginal odor: what’s normal and what’s not.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.
Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville.Common vaginal odors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.
MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.
Office on Women’s Health.Douching.
MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.
Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.
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