Vaginal Odor: Causes and Treatment

Vaginal odor can be a very embarrassing problem. Even if your sexual partner doesn't notice it, a fishy or unusual vaginal odor can make you feel very self conscious about yourself. What are the possible causes of vaginal odor? What are some of the ways to treat it? When should you worry? Here are some of the things that all women should know about vaginal odor.

Possible Causes of Vaginal Odor

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal odor. This vaginal infection is even more common than yeast infections, and many women do not realize that they have it. Vaginal odor may worsen after sexual intercourse. Women who have bacterial vaginosis may also notice a thin, white or gray vaginal discharge.

Yeast infections can also be a cause of vaginal odor. Women who yeast infections are more likely to notice symptoms than those with bacterial vaginosis. A cottage cheese-like discharge and vaginal itching are two other common symptoms of yeast infections.

According to MayoClinic.com, chlamydia and gonorrhea are two sexually transmitted diseases which can cause an unusual vaginal odor. Most women do not experience symptoms with either of these STDs. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can occur if chlamydia or gonorrhea are left untreated, can also cause an unusual vaginal odor.

Women who wear tampons may experience vaginal odor if one gets left inside the vagina. However, this is a very uncommon cause. Poor hygiene is one of the more common causes of vaginal odor. Less common causes of vaginal odor include cervical cancer and vaginal cancer.

How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor

If you are trying to get rid of vaginal odor, the best thing that you can do is visit the doctor to get tested for vaginal infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Even if you have not noticed any other symptoms, this is very important. A vaginal infection or STD is likely the cause of vaginal odor. The doctor should also do a Pap smear to rule out the possibility of cervical or vaginal cancer.

After the possibility of STDs, infections, and cancer has been ruled out, it is ideal to make sure that you are following good hygiene. Make sure that you are showering on a daily basis, especially during menstruation. Avoid douching, though gentle vaginal cleansers like Summer's Eve can be ideal. If you use deodorized pads or tampons, keep in mind that they can cause irritation and have been linked to greater instances of yeast infections.

Vaginal odor can be a very embarrassing problem. The best thing that you can do is talk to your doctor. Determining the cause of vaginal odor is often the main key to treating the problem.

Source:

MayoClinic.com, "Vaginal Odor - Causes."