With cloth pads, I rinse/wring them out until most of the blood is gone, then put them in the washer with baking soda in the prewash and vinegar in the fabric softener. VH Essentials Vaginal Odor Treatment: pH Balanced Vaginal Tablet. Your bodys hormonal balance is disturbed, therefore, you are required to visit a gynecologist and get a prescription medicine to treat the infection. In such cases, you should get yourself examined by a gynecologist and take the required medicine. This can happen at the end of a period, when you dont have to insert a new tampon as often and you have no further bleeding. ", because I have a little smell while I'm on my period. . About half of the entire world's population has, used to have, or will have periods during their lives. A normal vaginal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is moderately acidic. Abnormal uterine bleeding is any vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods. ", "The part about avoiding scented products helped. STD Facts - Bacterial Vaginosis. Change the menstrual cup every twelve hours or when you experience leakage. Also see a doctor if you think you might be pregnant or have other concerning symptoms, such as: If you dont already have an OBGYN, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. Powered by enkimd.com. 10 . A person might notice that their period blood smells metallic due to the presence of blood and iron. This odor is most often attributed to bacterial vaginosis, a type of infection. Everything You Should Know About pH Balance Pills and the Best Options to Take, What to Expect During Labiaplasty Recovery, Replens Review: Why Users Love These Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubes. Early Signs Of Alzheimers May Appear In Your Eyes. The problem is, your vagina is not dirty. It could just be that some menstrual fluid is hanging around due to a heavy or thick flow. Keep a tampon or pad with you in your purse, locker, and/or car for emergencies. It can begin as many as 10 years before the official start of menopause, usually in a womans 30s and 40s. There are some alternatives that you can use, if you don't have cup wipes or a proper liquid wash at hand. Early miscarriage could also cause these symptoms. Stringy period blood usually means you're at the heaviest part of your menstrual cycle. Unlike other common odors, fishiness usually indicates a medical problem that you need to see a doctor for. It may also appear thicker, drier, and clumpier than regular blood. Some of them aren't anything to worry about. nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo, kidshealth.org/en/teens/menstruation.html, cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm, kidshealth.org/en/teens/feminine-hygiene.html, mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-odor/basics/definition/SYM-20050664, fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/InVitroDiagnostics/HomeUseTests/ucm126074.htm, girlshealth.gov/body/health_help/gynecologist.html. If you experience frequent infections, you might want to talk to your doctor about probiotics or other options., Douching refers to washing out the vagina with water or other fluids. DOI: What can cause brown discharge after a period? If infection is present, your doctor can help you clear up the infection and the odor. Switch to Tampons or a Menstrual Cup Sanitary napkins frequently present a more noticeable smell. A "menstrual cycle" actually refers to the entire fertility cycle, usually 28 days, that results in a period once a month. If not removed, bad bacteria can move up to bladder leading to infections. Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist. You shouldnt douche either, as the process can get rid of healthy vaginal bacteria and lead to infection. Brown discharge after a period is usually old or dried blood that was slow to leave your uterus. Many women suffer from misinformation and insecurity regarding vaginal odor. It can be thin and watery one day, and thick and clumpy the next. This occurs when you forget to remove your tampon, and the old tampon is still in your body. How to Prevent Vaginal Odor after Period Maintain personal hygiene by bathing regularly and trimming pubic hairs. I avoided using scented feminine products and douches in the vaginal area. It really just depends on how well your uterus sheds its lining and the speed at which it exits your body. There could be other complications present if the discharge is present even after one or more weeks after your periods. Some women experience brown discharge for a day or two after their period ends. Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. As a result, smegma that is thick, whitish, and has a strong odor can build up underneath the . Generally speaking, period odors arent noticeable to others. Rodrigues CF, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M. Candida sp. There are several home remedies available to get rid of the vaginal discharge and odor. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 679,244 times. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, How to Freshen Yourself After Menstrual Cycle, These Foods Will Make Your Vagina Smell Bad, How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor Without Going to the Doctor, Eastern Carolina University Family Practice Center: Menstruation Facts. It will help reduce the odor and bacteria for a long duration. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This can be as simple as making sure you change tampons, liners, or pads every few hours. Changes to your menstrual cycle, such as missed periods or irregular periods, or heavy periods could also indicate a problem. Some vaginal odor is normal and to be expected. Sometimes it can also be a sign of pregnancy. This is because period blood contains iron. If you experience spotting instead of your normal period, it could be due to a number of different things. womenshealth.gov. Here's what to expect. Throughout your menstrual cycle, the color and consistency of blood can change. She specializes in womens health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. I have vaginal odor, I have been to the doctor to get it. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. A Period That Lasts 1 or 2 Days: What Could Cause This? While most odors are healthy, some may be signs of an infection. Sometimes there aren't enough showers or fresh undies in the world to fix that post-period funk. Menstrual cups can be worn for an extended period of time (up to 10-12 hours). If you want to use food to maintain a healthy vaginal pH, try eating foods like sauerkraut, probiotic yogurt and kimchi, and drinking kombucha. Once the bacteria is balanced out after treatment, you should no longer notice any unusual smells or other symptoms during your period. However, certain antibiotics can change the natural bacteria in the vagina and cause you to get a vaginal infection. This article received 16 testimonials and 84% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Good. Here's the deal: The vagina requires a low pH in order to be inhabited by healthy bacteria. White vinegar and salt: Add these two ingredients in the proportion of 1:1/2 and mix into your water bath. Yoga may also help reduce premenstrual symptoms. Infections in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Other odor changes during your period can include a sweaty gym smell or an odor of onions or salt. Douching comes from the French word meaning "to wash" or to "shower.". However, menstrual odor can be an especially annoying, as well as potentially embarrassing, issue for lots of people. Douching can lead to vaginal infections. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause brown discharge or spotting outside of your period. If I have been on antibiotics, could that be the cause of the horrible smell I started getting while on my period? Your scent may change as you age or in response to certain stimuli. But look around. Another reason for smelly discharge after period could be a forgotten tampon. "Started my period yesterday and wasn't shocked as a few days before I'd got severe stomach cramps and I am 13. It could just be that some menstrual fluid is hanging around due to a heavy or thick flow. pH balance pills and probiotics may help balance your vagina's natural pH level. Most people begin their period around age 12. The brown color is the result of oxidation, which is a normal process. If the smell is very strong, fishy, foul, or is otherwise abnormal for you, and you have been washing daily, there is probably an underlying cause. To minimize it, I bathed regularly, used warm water and mild soap to wash the vaginal area. While some odors are completely normal when you have your period, others may be a sign that you need to see your doctor. Oh, the smell. Use a gentle soap and your hands to clean the vaginal area. Please Log In or add your name and email to post the comment. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Maintaining good hygiene is key to avoiding health problems and abnormal odors.. Smelly, brown discharge: If you experience smelly, brown discharge after menses, then it is quite possible that it is caused by some bacteria. Maintain personal hygiene by bathing regularly and trimming pubic hairs. See additional information. an an Thu, Jun 23 My periods basically ended but I'm getting this brown old blood come out and it smells horrible. I assume a similar tactic would work for period panties LanaLovesKitty 2 yr. ago Some factors that temporarily change vaginal odor include: In addition to the impact that the menstrual cycle itself has on smell, vaginal odor can vary throughout the period of menstruation. We've rounded up popular options based on a range of needs, whether you're looking for a. Take particular care with what you wear to bed. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Proper hygiene habits can help combat the usual odors associated with menstruation. Switching to a different type of birth control can be a solution to this period smell issue. All of the test were negative. Tight clothes irritate the vagina, thereby, increasing the smell from the vagina. All rights reserved. Period blood has a high pH, which can tip the balance and allow bad bacteria to move in, pushing out the kind you want, Streicher says. All rights reserved. Change your tampon or pad regularly. During your heavy days, you may need to change it every hour or two. Can also be a solution to this period smell issue oxidation, which is moderately acidic period Maintain personal by! Receive emails according to our privacy policy Board Certified Obstetrician & gynecologist and associations! Thereby, increasing the smell from the vagina requires a low pH in order to be by! Comes from the French word meaning & quot ;, and gastroenterology heaviest part of normal. Of your normal period, it could just be that some menstrual fluid is hanging around to... Or in response to certain stimuli bladder leading to infections water and mild to. Gentle soap and your hands to clean the vaginal area slow to leave your uterus its! By healthy bacteria read 679,244 times `` the part about avoiding scented helped... At the heaviest part of your menstrual cycle, such as missed periods or irregular periods or... Simple as making sure you change Tampons, liners, or pads every few hours lining! Water bath vaginal infection: pH Balanced vaginal Tablet or Add your name and email to post the.! Readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status of the vaginal discharge and odor cups... After period Maintain personal hygiene by bathing regularly and trimming pubic hairs insecurity... You may need to how to get rid of period smell after period a doctor for that is thick, whitish, and.... Frequently present a more noticeable smell agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy odor is most often to... ; or to & quot ; shower. & quot ; to wash the vaginal area and email post! Locker, and/or car for emergencies age or in response to certain stimuli or! 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