What is Vaginal Odor?
Vaginal odor or smell can be defined as a very distinct smell coming out from the genital region of the female body. Vagina, in itself, has some distinct smell that is naturally associated with it. Slight difference in the smell of vagina can be associated with the changes happening in the menstruation cycle of the women. The condition is considered to be very normal that has the capacity to improve itself with in a course of time.
If the level of odor increases out of limit, then it indicates the occurrence of some medical complication in the body. One of the direct affect of the vaginal odor is the distance maintained between the sexual partners.
Abnormality in the odor can be only judge by the woman, who is having the problem, in the initial stage. Change of odor to a very strong and unpleasant smell denotes presence of any infection in the vagina or vaginal discharge. In fact, the presence of abnormal odor can be also detected by the sexual partner. The smell noticed by the sexual partner can help very much in diagnosing the presence of disease in the genital region. This helps in the early treatment of the disease. Basically, the problems related to vaginal odor come under the category of bacterial vaginosis.
If not taken properly, the problem might cause some psychological, emotional and social affects in the life of the sufferer.
Symptoms of Vaginal Odor
The first and the foremost symptom of vaginal odor is the presence of a very strong fishy-like smell coming out from the vagina. The odor becomes very strong during sexual intercourse because of the secretion of discharge that time.
Change in color of discharge from transparent or white to some greenish-grey indicates the presence of infection in the vaginal discharge.
The problem can be also associated with the urine infection. So, the symptoms might include burning sensation during urination.
Soreness or redness created on the surroundings of the vagina indicates the presence of any infection. It is not necessary that a symptom is always visible. Some women do not have any changes in their discharge during infection.
Causes of Vaginal Odor
Poor vaginal hygiene: One cause of vaginal odor is incomplete or improper cleaning of the vagina. Excessive cleaning of genital region is not at all required to be followed in normal routine. Hygiene level of the genital region should be maintained in balanced level to help it in preventing itself from the attack of viruses, bacteria, and yeasts. One needs to use mild soap to clean her genital part.
Excessive cleaning of vagina: It is a myth that excessive cleaning of vagina can reduce smell of discharge coming out from it. On the contrary, excessive cleaning can imbalance the percentage of good bacteria growing in the vaginal discharge.
The acidity level and vaginal flora gets disturbed very badly by this excessive cleaning, In addition, it makes the immune system of the genital region very weak.
The presence of a distinct smell in the vagina indicates the occupancy of good bacteria in the vagina discharge or other fluids that further helps in maintaining the immune system of the region. Excessive washing increases the pH level of the vagina, which further affects the natural flora of the region. The results of this condition include more chances of getting vaginal infection and release of a very unpleasant smell from the discharge. The whole condition can be described under one term, named bacterial vaginosis.
Douching: Douching is a cleaning approach applied by some women to clean their genital region during menstruation period and at the start or end of sexual intercourse.
Douching done in limited manner does not cause any problem. But very frequent usage of this method can cause weakening of vagina’s immune system.
Usage of chemical products in the genital region: The frequent usage of chemical products like highly scented soaps and liquid sprays or deodorants on the genial region can result into occurrence of some allergic reaction on the skin surface.
Insertion of some foreign objects: Insertion of some foreign objects like tampons and some contraceptives can harm the balance of the genital part and can further result into the release of an indecent vaginal odor.
Sexual intercourse: Doing vaginal and anal sex in one session can create medical complication in the genital region to both partners, although chances of getting affected are more in woman than in man.
Wearing tight clothes: Wearing tight clothes and undergarments can create discomfort to the woman wearing those clothes. Tight clothes restrict dryness in the genital region and further results into several infections and rashes occurring in that particular region.
Wrong diet: A very rare cause of severe vaginal odor is eating wrong or imbalance diet by a woman. Facts show that eating balanced and healthy diet can reduce the severity of vaginal odor very much.
Trauma and injuries during the delivery of baby can create abnormal opening between the rectum and anal part of the reproductive system. The bleeding occurring during these days, along with, the fecal attachment in the trauma produce a very indecent fecal smell in vagina.
Occurrence of other health complication like vaginal cancer or cancer of the cervix can further create fishy smell in the discharge.
Diagnosis of Vaginal Odor
Initial step of diagnosis include a list of questions asked by the doctors regarding her medical history and physical examination of the genital region along with pelvic examination.
The questions the doctor might ask include:
1. Is their any previous history of any infection happening in the genital region?
2. When did the symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge starts coming out?
3. What is the color and level of viscosity of the vaginal discharge?
4. Are there any itchiness, soreness, and inflammation happening in the genital region?
5. Whether any foreign object is inserted in the genital region?
6. Whether the sexual partner is having any sexually transmitted disease or any other complication that can be transferred through sexual intercourse?
On the basis of answers obtained from these questions some more tests are done to detect the actual cause of the problem. The tests include:
Cervix culturing: It is done to detect presence of any infection in it.
Microscopic analysis of vaginal discharge is done to check the exact reason behind the complication. Diagnosis is based on detecting the presence of the bacterial cells, yeasts, or viruses that can further result in provoking infection in it.
A very specific Pap smear test is conducted to get the actual cause of the complication.
Treatment of Vaginal Odor
Antibiotics are given in the case of bacterial vaginosis, which is caused due excessive growth of bad bacteria in the genital region. Some vaginal creams are given to reduce the level of vaginal odor. Other than this, several home remedies are there that can help the patient in getting recovered from this complication very easily.
Some herbal remedies, including creams and medicines are developed to erase the problem of bacterial vaginosis and to improve the level of vaginal flora in the genital region. The remedies help in regaining the level of lactobacilli in the discharge that further help in preventing against the attack of other microbes.
Prevention of Vaginal Odor
One can prevent herself from getting complication like abnormal vaginal odor by following some simple steps in life like:
1. Clean the genital region properly but not excessively.
2. Avoid douching to maintain the percentage of good bacteria in the genital region. The presence of good bacteria helps in preventing the region from the attack by other microbes.
3. To treat yeast infection it is necessary to use any over-the-counter cream that helps in reducing the number of yeast in the discharge.
4. Take proper diet including higher portion of food products like yogurt. Food products that have a good percentage of lactobacilli are some of the best recovery option available to the patient.
5. Men should use a new condom after every sexual intercourse to reduce the chances of transmitting sexually-transmitted disease in the body of women.
6. Maintain good hygiene level during your menstruation period and in special conditions like pregnancy and delivery. Chances of getting some infection are very high during these periods because of the excessive vaginal bleeding. Proper use of sanitary pads can help in reducing the chances of getting affected by infections.
7. Diabetic women should keep checking their sugar level on regular basis to avoid problems like abnormal vaginal bleeding.
8. Try to maintain a stress free life by taking out some time for yourself. This will make you feel happy and healthy every time and will help in the speedy recovery from complication like abnormal vaginal odor.
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