Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?BV SmellOther CausesTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
BV Smell
Other Causes
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacterial vaginosis(BV), also known as vaginal dysbiosis, is one of the most common vaginal infections among women ages 15 to 44.It’s estimated that about 35% of women will experience it in their lifetime.While BV is not a serious condition, it can increase the risk of contractingsexually transmitted infections(STIs), experiencingpreterm labor,and causing emotional distress, which is why treatment is important.
Read on to learn about BV symptoms, diagnosis, possible complications, and treatments.
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What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Vaginashave a variety of naturally occurring bacteria. The bacteria help maintain a moderate to high acidic (low pH) balance to protect against infections.“Bad” bacteria are usually mitigated before causing noticeable change. It’s only when there are increased numbers of pathogens that BV occurs.
Symptoms
Researchers don’t fully understand the cause of BV, but a lot has to do with a woman’s specific makeup (genetics). Up to 84% of women are asymptomatic.
Some key signs of BV are:
What’s Causing My Vagina to Smell Like Fish and What Can I Do About It?
What Does Bacterial Vaginosis Smell Like?
BV is often described as having a strong fishy odor. There’s a technical reason why the smell of BV is described this way: trimethylamine. This chemical compound is why rotten fish smells, and it’s also responsible for the aroma of abnormal vaginal odors.
This hallmark odor is particularly prominent after penile-vaginal sex.That’s because semen reduces the acidity of the vagina, and the smell-inducing chemical compounds are more noticeable at a higher pH.
What Else Could Be Causing Vaginal Odor?
But certain odors warrant attention, which could signalvaginal infections,STIs, and sexually associated infections.
Trichomoniasis
Yeast Infection
Menstruation
You may have noticed your menstrual cycle causesdifferent vaginal odors, including metallic, rotten, or sweaty. Some of these are usual period blood smells and nothing to worry about. Others, like a strong fishy smell, can point to infection from a forgotten tampon. See a healthcare provider right away if you suspect this is the case.
Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis
Treating BV is fairly easy. A short course of oral or topicalantibioticsusually clears it up, as long as you follow through with the entire round of the medication. Stopping when symptoms disappear is risky, as you may developantibiotic-resistant bacteria, making the infection recur and causing it to be more challenging to treat the next time around. Treating BV may also reduce the risk of getting other STIs.
How to Prevent Vaginal Odor
Researchers believe a complex interaction of multiple factors causes BV.There are many proven ways to keep yourvaginasmelling healthy.
When it comes to your sex life, keep the following in mind:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s important to remember that a strange or unpleasant vaginal smell is your body’s way of telling you that something is off. Do your best to set up an appointment with your healthcare provider when you notice an unusual smell or change in discharge.
Besides providing peace of mind, a healthcare provider will examine your vagina for signs of discharge. A medical professional also can test a sample of vaginal fluid to determine if BV is present or if you have another infection that needs to be treated.
BV can increase your risk of contracting STIs andpelvic inflammatory diseaseif left untreated.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Most of the time, people don’t think about vaginal health until an odor or similar change develops. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you have BV, an STI, or another vaginal infection. Instead, seek proper care and take it as an opportunity to improve your long-term vaginal health routine.
Yeasty smells are often described as tangy or sour. They’re similar to fermented foods such as sourdough bread, kombucha, or Greek yogurt. The primary type of bacteria responsible for this distinct smell (which is also present in healthy vaginas) isLactobacilli.
A healthy vagina typically smells musky, sweaty, or a bit tangy. It should not have a strong unpleasant smell, which may be a sign that you have an infection.
Yes. For some women, BV frequently returns, even with great vaginal health practices. A typical healthy vagina is slightly to moderately acidic. Researchers are still trying to understand why some women are more prone to high pH (low acidic) vaginal microbiomes.
6 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.Bacterial vaginosis (BV).Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.Turovskiy Y, Sutyak Noll K, Chikindas ML.The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis: Aetiology of bacterial vaginosis.Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2011;110(5):1105-1128. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.04977.xEllington K, Saccomano SJ.Recurrent bacterial vaginosis.The Nurse Practitioner. 2020;45(10):27-32. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000696904.36628.0aWolrath H, Stahlbom B, Hallen A, Forsum U.Trimethylamine and trimethylamine oxide levels in normal women and women with bacterial vaginosis reflect a local metabolism in vaginal secretion as compared to urine.Apmis. 2005;113(7-8):513-516. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0463.2005.apm_175.xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
6 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.Bacterial vaginosis (BV).Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.Turovskiy Y, Sutyak Noll K, Chikindas ML.The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis: Aetiology of bacterial vaginosis.Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2011;110(5):1105-1128. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.04977.xEllington K, Saccomano SJ.Recurrent bacterial vaginosis.The Nurse Practitioner. 2020;45(10):27-32. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000696904.36628.0aWolrath H, Stahlbom B, Hallen A, Forsum U.Trimethylamine and trimethylamine oxide levels in normal women and women with bacterial vaginosis reflect a local metabolism in vaginal secretion as compared to urine.Apmis. 2005;113(7-8):513-516. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0463.2005.apm_175.xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
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.Bacterial vaginosis (BV).Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.Turovskiy Y, Sutyak Noll K, Chikindas ML.The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis: Aetiology of bacterial vaginosis.Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2011;110(5):1105-1128. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.04977.xEllington K, Saccomano SJ.Recurrent bacterial vaginosis.The Nurse Practitioner. 2020;45(10):27-32. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000696904.36628.0aWolrath H, Stahlbom B, Hallen A, Forsum U.Trimethylamine and trimethylamine oxide levels in normal women and women with bacterial vaginosis reflect a local metabolism in vaginal secretion as compared to urine.Apmis. 2005;113(7-8):513-516. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0463.2005.apm_175.xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.
Turovskiy Y, Sutyak Noll K, Chikindas ML.The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis: Aetiology of bacterial vaginosis.Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2011;110(5):1105-1128. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.04977.x
Ellington K, Saccomano SJ.Recurrent bacterial vaginosis.The Nurse Practitioner. 2020;45(10):27-32. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000696904.36628.0a
Wolrath H, Stahlbom B, Hallen A, Forsum U.Trimethylamine and trimethylamine oxide levels in normal women and women with bacterial vaginosis reflect a local metabolism in vaginal secretion as compared to urine.Apmis. 2005;113(7-8):513-516. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0463.2005.apm_175.x
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
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