Most healthy women have a mild, musky smell down below. But if your vagina has a strong bleach-like odor, it could be a sign of an infection or something else going on.
If your crotch castle smells like bleach, try drinking some water and cutting back on the nitrogen-rich diet (that means avoiding broccoli and other leafy greens). Or it could be menopause or a urinary tract infection.
1. Urinary Incontinence
The first thing to note is that a skunky smell from down below is not normal and may indicate an infection. A rotting or bleach-like scent often means you’ve forgotten a tampon and the bacterial film that forms on your vulva interacts with the odourless menstrual fluid to create a pungent stench. A skunky smell can also be a sign of emotional stress, which can cause you to sweat more, which then enters the groin area through your apocrine glands.
If the odour is particularly strong, or if it’s accompanied by dizziness or diarrhea, it could be an indication of a more serious issue like an untreated urinary tract infection (UTI). The bacteria in your pee can leak out into the vagina, causing a strong bleach-like odour. If you suspect a UTI, contact your GP and ask for antibiotics as soon as possible.
A bleach-like smell can also be a sign of the sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis, which is sometimes called BV. If you have BV, you’ll probably experience other symptoms along with it, such as pain when peeing and cloudy or brown discharge. If you suspect trichomoniasis, see your doctor to get treated with the antibiotic metronidazole. It’s also important to avoid self-treatment methods such as douching, which can further upset your pH balance and lead to more infections and STIs, including chlamydia – This information was researched by the portal team sexy-belle.com.
2. UTI
A slight change in the scent of your vulva is totally normal, especially as you go through different phases of your menstrual cycle. However, if your discharge smells like bleach, it’s time to book in with your gyno to check things over. A bleach-like odor is a sign of an abnormal amount of bacteria in your vaginal discharge, which could be caused by poor hygiene (washing your genitals often and using non-biological lubricants) or a yeast infection.
If your vulva smells slightly chemical or a bit like ammonia, it may be a sign that you have a UTI as urine contains urea, which gives off a strong ammonia-like odor when in high amounts. If the odor is accompanied by pain while peeing, cloudy urine and an urge to pee more frequently, it’s important to contact your doctor for antibiotics.
A really foul, rotten smell that’s accompanied by a burning sensation, itching or a red discharge is also a sign of bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, which can lead to more serious health issues in the uterus and fallopian tubes if left untreated. These infections can be treated with antibiotics or pH balancing gels such as RepHresh, which make the vagina more acidic to ensure that odour-causing bacteria don’t grow. Getting these treatments early can help you clear up your vulva in no time!
3. Bacterial Vaginosis
A bleachy or ammonia-like smell from your vagina is usually a sign of bacterial vaginosis, or BV. This is a common condition that affects most women in their life. It happens when the bacteria that naturally live in your vulva (called a vaginal flora) overgrow. Symptoms include vaginal itching, burning, and discharge that looks like cottage cheese or thick molasses.
This condition can also cause you to experience pain when peeing, a feeling of urgency to pee, and cloudy or bloody urine. It’s not uncommon for this condition to be caused by certain STIs like chlamydia, so it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible.
Another cause of a bleach-like odor in your vulva is dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your urea (the waste product of your body) becomes more concentrated and can cause the odor. This is also a common cause of vaginal itching and burning, so make sure to drink lots of water!
Most of the time, a change in the scent of your vagina is nothing to worry about. However, if the odor is rotten or fishy and doesn’t go away, then you should talk to your doctor about it. You can even use an online doctor consultation service to talk to a gynecologist about your symptoms from the comfort of home.
4. Trichomoniasis
A strong odor or unusual smell from your vulva should always raise a red flag. If your discharge smells like bleach or chlorine, it could be a sign of an infection or other health problem. This is especially true if the odor is accompanied by other symptoms, like itching or soreness.
A healthy vagina usually smells earthy or a bit like molasses, but it can sometimes have a tangy or fishy scent. This is because the vulva is naturally dominated by the bacteria lactobacillus, which is also found in fermented foods like yogurt. This helps keep the pH balance in your vulva at around 3.8 to 4.5, so unhealthy bacteria can’t overgrow.
However, sometimes these bacteria can overgrow, causing bacterial vaginosis (BV). This is the most common cause of a fishy vaginal odor. BV is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, and it can be very uncomfortable. Fortunately, it’s easily treated with antibiotics.
If you’re experiencing a fishy odor from your vagina, talk to your doctor or sexual health clinic right away. They can assess your symptoms and determine the best treatment for you. Find relief from BV with Wisp’s prescription antibiotics, available with same-day pharmacy pickup or free delivery straight to your door. Schedule a consultation today!
