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What Causes Fishy Odor In Female Genitals?

Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015

Question: Concerning females: What causes a Female's private area to have a fishy odor?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most probably bacterial vaginosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, I have gone through your question. Fishy odour in the female genitalia is most commonly due to the vaginal infection known as "Bacterial Vaginosis".
This infection is usually due to the disturbance in the normal bacterial colonization of vagina, leading to decrease in the load of good bacteria (lactobacillus) in the vagina and increase in the number of harmful bacteria.Symptoms are bacterial vaginosis include white/greyish/greenish frothy discharge which has fishy odour and the odour increases after intercourse.
Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases.Thus, it should be treated at the earliest.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back to us for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (23 minutes later)

Is this the only reason? Could it also be from sexual stimulation? Or some other reason?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
semen also has slight fishy odour

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for responding. Most commonest cause of fishy odour in female genitalia is bacterial vaginosis. However, sometimes semen also has the a slight fishy smell, and one can experience it after intercourse.
Sexual stimulation without semen ejaculation does not leads to fishy odour, unless one has bacterial vaginosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back to us for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (2 hours later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Thank you for your answers, by which you have greatly helped me. Could you please tell me what the cure is? Thank you so much. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vaginal swab to confirm the diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for responding.
I would suggest you to consult an OBGYN specialist to get your vaginal swab examined to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then you have to take antibiotic( metronidazole) under the supervision and prescription of your doctor.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back to us for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti XXXXXXX

Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad