subject: Causes of Vaginal Discharge Odor [print this page] Causes of Vaginal Discharge Odor Causes of Vaginal Discharge Odor
Many women may worry about having vaginal discharge odor. While most vaginal discharge is perfectly normal and is the body's way of staying clean, some women may notice that they have more discharge accompanied with an odor at certain time versus others. Having more discharge when a woman ovulates is perfectly healthy and normal but if you notice a strong or foul odor that comes with the discharge, then there may be a problem, and you should check with your doctor to have it properly diagnose what is happening.
There are many things that could cause abnormal vaginal discharge with odor. Most of them are usually due to an infection of some sort. However, there are also some women whom may also have vaginal odor, even if they are in good medical condition. They will try different feminine hygiene products like douches or feminine wash. Douches do not help, and they can actually push bacteria further into the body which can cause further infections and problems. Or women use scented feminine wash in the vagina itself, which may cause further irritation.
To get rid of the vaginal discharge odor, one should only wash the vagina with mild, unscented soap and warm water.
Another cause of vaginal discharge odor may also be due to a common vaginal infection, namely bacterial vaginosis (BV). This is a bacterial infection in the vaginal area, and usually can be treated by an oral antibiotic from your doctor. It generally presents with vaginal discharge that is white, gray or yellow. It also causes a fishy odor, most noticeable after intimate relations and washing. A woman who has bacterial vaginosis will also notice some itching, burning and the area will be red.
Vaginal yeast infection can also be another reason for causing vaginal discharge odor. A small amount of yeast is normal in everyone's body, but when there is an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina, it causes an infection. Vaginal yeast infection causes a cottage cheese like discharge that is also accompanied with a strong vaginal odor. This infection can be cleared up with topical creams and ointments to relieve the exterior irritation of the vagina, or similarly with oral medication.
