What It Means When Your Vagina Smells Fishy, Metallic, or Just Plain Funky After Your Period

In accordance with obstetrician-gynecologist Himali Maniar Patel, MBBS, DGO, it may be completely regular to have a point of vaginal odor after your interval ends—and never simply whenever you’re actively bleeding, when it may appear apparent that issues might scent a little bit off down there.

It is true that sure vaginal smells can sign an an infection brought on by an imbalance within the vaginal flora (extra on that beneath). And paradoxically, among the largest culprits behind that imbalance are “hygienic” merchandise that promise to make you scent higher down there. However, a post-period scent doesn’t essentially signify the presence of any situation. Because it seems, sure menstruation-related shifts may cause a traditional, momentary post-period odor.

Why your vagina may scent after your interval

A few totally different causes might be behind vaginal smelliness as soon as your interval subsides. A giant one: leftover blood. “A standard purpose for a metallic scent is the presence of iron in your interval blood,” says Amy Wetter, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at Pediatrix Medical Group. “This could linger, particularly when you’ve got brown discharge from leftover or outdated blood and tissue nonetheless making its means out.”

“A standard purpose for a metallic scent is the presence of iron in your interval blood.” —Amy Wetter, MD, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist

Some different-than-usual micro organism may also be rising or proliferating in your vagina post-period, inflicting a shift in how issues scent. “The vagina requires a low pH (acidic pH) with the intention to preserve a wholesome bacterial stability,” says Dr. Wetter. “Since interval blood has a excessive pH (fundamental pH), this will enable sure sorts of micro organism to flourish [more so than others], which can trigger [temporary] odor or discharge.”

Certainly, Dr. Patel says that “a buildup of micro organism on the floor of your vulva or in your vagina” is a serious potential reason for any form of post-period funk. “This could additionally occur extra so across the time of your interval resulting from hormonal adjustments and elevated moisture close to the realm,” she provides.

One other stunning offender: leaving a tampon in for too lengthy or after your interval is completed. (On that observe, right here’s your pleasant reminder to vary your tampon each 4 to eight hours, at most.) The blood and secretions that accumulate on a tampon can result in a “foul” or “rotten” odor as they permit for micro organism to develop, says Dr. Wetter. To not point out, a tampon sitting within the vagina for too lengthy can throw off the stability of your current vaginal flora, which might enhance your threat of an an infection, like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast an infection.

Each of those infections may cause vaginal discharge that may have a robust odor (within the case of BV, a fishy scent, and with a yeast an infection, a bitter or yeasty scent like sourdough) at any time limit—which is why it’s necessary to analyze additional for those who discover extreme scent or discharge post-period, says Dr. Patel, significantly if it’s accompanied by different signs of an an infection, like itching, burning, redness, or ache throughout penetrative intercourse.

How are you going to deal with a post-period scent?

Any non-infection-related vaginal odor you could discover after your interval will subside by itself with none particular therapy. However for those who’re trying to clear it up extra shortly—or forestall a post-period scent within the first place—it could be useful to brush up in your vaginal hygiene practices.

Dr. Wetter and Dr. Patel counsel doing the next:

• Bathe each day, utilizing solely heat water to softly clear the vulva and across the opening of the vagina
• Bathe and/or change instantly after figuring out
• Keep away from utilizing any scented vaginal-care or hygienic merchandise
• Don’t douche
• Put on loose-fitting pants and cotton underwear
• Keep well-hydrated
• Devour probiotics to assist stave off infections (for instance, by consuming gut-healthy yogurts)

When must you see a physician for a post-period odor

Dr. Wetter encourages looking for medical care if any unusual-to-you vaginal odor lasts greater than two to a few days after your cycle, if it’s accompanied by fever or chills, or for those who expertise pelvic ache. Additionally, for those who discover discharge together with the scent, she provides, and it’s yellow or inexperienced, it’s a good suggestion to see a physician. “These are all indicators that you might have an an infection (that will require treatment to resolve), and never only a momentary change resulting from your menses,” she says.

Seeing a doctor might help you both rule out an an infection or obtain therapy for one, in the event that they decide that that’s the reason for the odor.

The excellent news? Once more, most post-period odors are completely regular, momentary, innocuous, and can go away on their very own. And even for those who do be taught that your vaginal scent stems from an an infection, the sorts of infections at play listed here are usually simply treatable, says Dr. Patel. “With the correct therapy and care, you may shortly get again on observe and really feel extra comfy in your personal pores and skin.”