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What Causes Foul Smelling Vaginal Odor?

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Posted on Sat, 20 Dec 2014
Question: There is a fishy odor but no discharge. why is there an odor?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us about it.

I can understand your concern, though.

Before answering your question I want to ask some questions from you so I will be able to give my opinion to you.

-Are you sexually active?
-Which color of discharge you experience?
-Associated with any itching or pain?
-Any other symptoms connected with it?

Please revert back to me with my answers.

Hope to hearing from you soon.

Good luck.
Regards
Dr.Richa
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (5 days later)
Hello,

Yes I am sexually active.
I ate yogurt for about five days every morning after i noticed a slight itch. A couple days later there wasn't any itch and I engaged in intercourse with my bf and quite embarrassingly is when I noticed the odor. It's been some days since then N now I haven't noticed any more of the same symptoms or anything else since the day after.

I began my menstrual cycle yesterday which was my bf's theory for the smell that it was coming soon, it was late and having sex may have irritated something somehow.

I should say about two weeks prior to any of these symptoms. I was taking some antibiotics because I had my wisdom teeth pulled. Also for the past four or five menstrual cycles they have been abnormally light almost just spotting and brown blood. This menstrual cycle I'm experiencing now is like I used to have heavy flow but the color is very dark almost black when I change sanitary nap kins but is a red tone after using the lavatory or when I clean up. I hope this helps narrow it down.

Thank you,

XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It can be due to bacterial vaginosis or infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Sorry for the delay in my response.

I have gone through your history and in my opinion, it can be due to bacterial vaginosis (an imbalance in normal bacterial vaginal flora due to some causes like antibiotics, excessive cleaning etc.) or due to STD infection.

So you should consult a gynecologist and get yourself examined and investigation done to rule out the cause of fishy odor.

Your period symptoms can also be due to infection.

Hope it is useful, feel free to ask more.

Good luck.
Regards
Dr.Richa
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (12 hours later)
It's ok. that seems like that could definitely be the answer.

my period this month has gone back to normal. normal hue and flow. I think it may have gotten really light over the months for exercising.

Is it possible that a menstrual cycle can re balance the bacteria or flush out the bad bacteria?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It can maintain vaginal enviornment.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Nice to hear from you again though.

The menstrual cycle can maintain the Vaginal environment.

It will affect the vaginal PH which will further affect the bacterial growth.

Then you can say that it will helpful in cleaning a vagina and keep it healthy.

Hope it is useful.

Good luck.
Regards
Dr.Richa
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (1 hour later)
Your information is very helpful. I'm a little confused. so it can and could " re balance" the bacteria to normal health and numbers?

Thanks again Dr. XXXXXXX

XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can say that.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Please do not get confused here.

As I stated before, it will affect vaginal PH which plays an important role in bacterial growth in that way you can say it will rebalance the normal vaginal bacteria.

It will not directly affect bacterial growth.

Hope now it is clear, if any question please ask me further, I feel happy to answer it.

Good luck.
Regards
Dr.Richa
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. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Richa Agarwal

OB & GYN Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 4026 Questions

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What Causes Foul Smelling Vaginal Odor?

Brief Answer: Need more information. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us about it. I can understand your concern, though. Before answering your question I want to ask some questions from you so I will be able to give my opinion to you. -Are you sexually active? -Which color of discharge you experience? -Associated with any itching or pain? -Any other symptoms connected with it? Please revert back to me with my answers. Hope to hearing from you soon. Good luck. Regards Dr.Richa