Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSTIs With Onion-Like OdorOther CausesDiagnosis and TreatmentPreventionWhen to Call a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
STIs With Onion-Like Odor
Other Causes
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prevention
When to Call a Provider
An unpleasant onion-like vaginal odor isn’t in the range of healthy natural scents for this area of the body. It may be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
All vaginas havea natural scent that can changeor get stronger due to hormones, sexual arousal, menstruation, or pregnancy. Lifestyle can also impact vaginal smell, like the foods you eat or sweat from a good workout. Tangy, molasses, or metallic vaginal smells are typical.
STIs are transmitted from one person to another during foreplay, oral, vaginal, or anal sex.SomeSTIs can cause vaginal odor, discharge, and other symptoms, like itching or sores. There are also several other causes of onion-like vaginal odor that are not STIs, like forgotten tampons orbacterial vaginosis.
You should seek the advice of a healthcare professional to diagnose and treat vaginal odor properly. Common treatments for STIs that cause vaginal odor include antibiotics and lifestyle changes.
This article will review the most common STIs that cause an onion smell, other possible causes, treatment options, and prevention methods.
Alihan Usullu / Getty Images.
STIs That Can Cause Onion-Like Odor
Not all STIs cause vaginal smell. In fact, some don’t even show signs or symptoms, which is why it’s so important to practice safe sex.Here are the two most common STIs that can cause a specific onion-like vaginal odor.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis, or trich for short, is a treatable sexually transmitted infection that can cause an unpleasant-smelling onion-like odor. Other symptoms of trich include itching or discomfort during sex and discharge, which may be yellow or green.
Only about 30% of people with trich show signs and symptoms.Most don’t know they have the parasitic infection, making it easy to be transmitted between sexual partners.
Chlamydia
Chlamydiais a common, treatable STI. This bacterial infection appears on various parts of the body, including the vagina, penis, rectum, or throat.
Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, an unusual vaginal odor is a classic symptom. It may present along with discharge, pain or swelling, and pain with urination.
Other Possible Causes of Onion-Like Odor
It’s important to get tested for STIs if you’re experiencing an unusual, strong vaginal odor. A healthcare provider will discuss your medical and sexual history, perform a blood test, take vaginal swabs, test a urine sample, or perform a vaginal examination to determine the cause of the onion-like odor.
Thankfully, most STIs that cause an onion-like vaginal odor are easily treatable. A complete medication cycle can clear most infections in one to two weeks.If the odor is due to other lifestyle causes or conditions, a healthcare provider will help you find the appropriate treatments. You’ll likely be advised to take a break from sex until the odor is gone.
How to Prevent Vaginal Odors
Vaginas are self-regulating and can usually rebalance bacteria and pH (acidity) levels on their own. But some people are more sensitive or prone to vaginal imbalances.At-home practicescan help your vagina stay healthy and have a typical odor. Consider implementing the following prevention methods:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
It’s important to seek professional medical care for any abnormal vaginal odors, especially when other symptoms accompany them. Left untreated, STIs can cause complications with pregnancy, spread to different areas of the reproductive system, or continue to get transmitted to sexual partners.
Seek help if you’re experiencing:
Summary
All vaginas havenatural smells that ebb and flow when healthy. Strong fishy or onion-like smells point to the possibility of an infection or STI. Two main STIs can cause onion-like vaginal odor along with a handful of other conditions.
Most causes of unhealthy vaginal odors can be treated and will return to normal within a few weeks. Seek medical advice right away to get properly diagnosed and treated for STIs. Always remember to practice safer sex.
12 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?Planned Parenthood.What Are STDs?NHS.Genital herpes.World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections.Planned Parenthood.What is chlamydia?Mogilnicka I, Bogucki P, Ufnal M.Microbiota and malodor—etiology and management.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(8):2886. doi:10.3390/ijms21082886National Health Service.What if I forget to remove my tampon?Center for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).Loma Linda University.Rectovaginal fistula (RVF).American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.Planned Parenthood.How does STD testing work?Crann SE, Cunningham S, Albert A, et al.Vaginal health and hygiene practices and product use in Canada: A national cross-sectional survey.BMC Women’s Health. 2018;18(1):52. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0543-y
12 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?Planned Parenthood.What Are STDs?NHS.Genital herpes.World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections.Planned Parenthood.What is chlamydia?Mogilnicka I, Bogucki P, Ufnal M.Microbiota and malodor—etiology and management.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(8):2886. doi:10.3390/ijms21082886National Health Service.What if I forget to remove my tampon?Center for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).Loma Linda University.Rectovaginal fistula (RVF).American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.Planned Parenthood.How does STD testing work?Crann SE, Cunningham S, Albert A, et al.Vaginal health and hygiene practices and product use in Canada: A national cross-sectional survey.BMC Women’s Health. 2018;18(1):52. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0543-y
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?Planned Parenthood.What Are STDs?NHS.Genital herpes.World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections.Planned Parenthood.What is chlamydia?Mogilnicka I, Bogucki P, Ufnal M.Microbiota and malodor—etiology and management.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(8):2886. doi:10.3390/ijms21082886National Health Service.What if I forget to remove my tampon?Center for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).Loma Linda University.Rectovaginal fistula (RVF).American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.Planned Parenthood.How does STD testing work?Crann SE, Cunningham S, Albert A, et al.Vaginal health and hygiene practices and product use in Canada: A national cross-sectional survey.BMC Women’s Health. 2018;18(1):52. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0543-y
Moreland OB-GYN.Vaginal odor: What is normal?
Planned Parenthood.What Are STDs?
NHS.Genital herpes.
World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections.
Planned Parenthood.What is chlamydia?
Mogilnicka I, Bogucki P, Ufnal M.Microbiota and malodor—etiology and management.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(8):2886. doi:10.3390/ijms21082886
National Health Service.What if I forget to remove my tampon?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Loma Linda University.Rectovaginal fistula (RVF).
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.
Planned Parenthood.How does STD testing work?
Crann SE, Cunningham S, Albert A, et al.Vaginal health and hygiene practices and product use in Canada: A national cross-sectional survey.BMC Women’s Health. 2018;18(1):52. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0543-y
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