Unpleasant odor without discharge in women. Causes of discharge after childbirth

The female reproductive system is a complex mechanism, the operation of which depends on many factors. You can determine whether it is functioning normally by the nature of your vaginal discharge. If they change their color or smell, then you should not hesitate to visit a doctor, since such changes may indicate the development of various pathologies. It should be noted that in gynecological practice, women most often receive complaints about white discharge with an odor from the vagina, which causes them a lot of discomfort. Whether they are a sign of pathology or not, we will consider below.

What do you need to know?

Vaginal secretion is a kind of lubricant that performs several functions at once. It protects the mucous membranes from drying out and injury, and also helps cleanse the vaginal cavity from pathogenic microorganisms, the accumulation of which begins to develop various diseases.

The secretion released from the vagina contains:

• Mucus produced by the glands of the cervical canal.
• Dead epithelial cells.
• Microorganisms that make up the vaginal microflora (there are more than 12 species).

Normally, in women, the vaginal flora consists of lactic bacteria, which help maintain the acid-base balance. It is because of them that women may periodically experience discharge with a sour odor.

The vaginal microflora also contains other microorganisms that are classified as opportunistic (fungi, viruses, bacteria). When the defenses are reduced or other factors influence the body, their growth is activated. And since the mucous secretion secreted from the vagina provides a cleansing function, due to the large number of these microorganisms, its color and smell can change significantly. And if you do not respond to this in a timely manner, various pathologies begin to develop, which lead to serious health problems.

The mucous secretion can change its character not only due to pathological conditions, but also as a result of natural changes in the body. And if in the first case specific therapy is required, then in the second it is not needed.

Physiological reasons

As mentioned above, the work of the female reproductive system is very complex and depends on many factors, and therefore smell is not always a sign of the development of pathological conditions. Normally, vaginal secretion must meet the following requirements:

• Be watery or have a slimy consistency.
• Excreted in an amount of no more than 4–6 ml per day (in the absence of pathological processes, they are practically invisible and do not require the use of panty liners).
• Be transparent or white (in the latter case they are simply called leucorrhoea).
• To be odorless or to give off a sour aroma.
• Do not provoke irritation in the perineum.

If you notice white discharge with an odor, you need to conduct a small analysis of your recent actions. An unpleasant aroma from the intimate area may appear for the following reasons:

• Douching (they negatively affect the acid-base flora).
• Frequent stress.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Having unprotected sexual intercourse (a sour smell may appear due to male sperm entering the vagina).
• Poor nutrition (diet and lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet causes a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body, which also adversely affects the functioning of the reproductive organs and the secretions they secrete).
• Taking antibacterial drugs.

Moreover, doctors often attribute unpleasant odor to the presence of hormonal disorders. They can occur during pregnancy (when pregnancy occurs, the level of progesterone significantly exceeds the level of estrogen) and long-term use of hormone-containing drugs.

Important! It is necessary to understand that if discharge appears against the background of physiological changes in the body, then it does not have a strong aroma. They emit a sourish or sweetish odor. At the same time, there are no other signs of infectious processes or inflammatory diseases (hyperemia, burning sensation, etc.). If a woman observes strong white discharge and a specific odor emanating from it, then she should immediately go to a specialist, even if there are no external symptoms, since they are not typical for all diseases.

Pathological causes

Vaginal discharge with a specific odor in women is not considered normal, especially if it causes discomfort in the vagina. The main signs of the development of pathologies of an infectious or inflammatory nature are:

• Swelling of the labia minora.
• The appearance of rashes and pustules.
• Itching and burning.
• Painful sensations in the lower abdomen.

Naturally, each disease has its own clinical manifestations, so it is not at all necessary that when pathological processes occur in women, all these symptoms are observed at once. In some cases, apart from the abundant discharge of white vaginal secretion, there are no other clinical manifestations at all. An example is a disease such as cervicitis.

This pathology is characterized by inflammation of the cervical canal and in the initial stages of its development does not manifest itself at all. The only thing a woman can observe with cervicitis is liquid discharge, which has a slightly sour odor. Other symptoms appear when the disease is fully “acted out”. In this case, patients often receive complaints about:

• Nagging pain in the lower abdomen.
• Painful menstruation.
• The presence of blood streaks in the leucorrhoea.
• Brown discharge that occurs outside of menstruation.

As a rule, the main impetus for the development of cervicitis are factors such as:

• Mechanical damage to the cervical canal (childbirth, abortion, surgery, rough sexual intercourse, etc.).
• Inflammatory processes in the vagina.
• Cervical erosion.

But besides cervicitis, there are many other diseases that cause foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

Candidiasis

More often, unpleasant-smelling discharge in women occurs due to the development of thrush, which is provoked by fungi of the genus Candida. They are part of the opportunistic vaginal microflora and are activated under the influence of various factors:

• Stress.
• Long-term use of antibiotics (more than 10 days).
• Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
• Decreased immunity, etc.

The following symptomatic picture is characteristic of candidiasis:

• The appearance of copious discharge, reminiscent in its structure of granular cottage cheese.
• Feeling of wetness in the perineum (daily pads help to cope with this symptom).
• Itching and burning in the intimate area.
• Pain when urinating.
• Presence of a sharp sour odor.

With the development of candidiasis, the secretion released from the vagina may have a yellowish tint and resemble kefir or flakes in its structure. But the clinical manifestations of the disease are the same in all cases.

Gardenerelez

Another pathology that develops against the background of the proliferation of microorganisms that are part of the opportunistic microflora is gardnerella. When their growth is activated, the vaginal mucosa becomes inflamed, which leads to the appearance of copious white or greenish discharge.

The waste products of these microorganisms accumulate in the vagina, as a result of which the mucous secretion begins to smell like a rotten egg or fish. The development of gardnerellosis is also characterized by the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, for example, hyperemia of the labia, itching and burning.

STDs (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, etc.) also manifest as an unpleasant odor from the intimate area and copious discharge. Their shades can be different - white, yellow-green, green, etc. The vaginal secretion itself emits a strong smell of rotten meat, and provokes irritation of the labia. For example, syphilis, which is also transmitted directly through sexual contact, manifests itself as a small rash in the intimate area, which is very itchy and causes a lot of discomfort.

Endometriosis

This disease occurs quite often in girls and women. It is characterized by pathological growth of the epithelial layer of the uterus beyond its boundaries. This is manifested not only by the appearance of copious discharge with an unpleasant odor, but also by such symptoms as:

• Painful sensations in the abdomen that get worse during sex.
• Cycle disruption (menstruation may occur more often and longer than usual or be absent for a long time).
• The appearance of brown spotting outside of menstruation.

Endometriosis is dangerous because it can easily provoke the development of uterine cancer. When such a complication occurs, women experience dark brown (almost black) discharge that has a putrid odor. At the same time, the pain syndrome constantly increases, and over time, even strong painkillers do not help get rid of it. Endometriosis can only be treated surgically.

Discharge depending on the menstrual cycle

If a woman has passed all the necessary tests and no pathological processes have been identified, the question of why leucorrhoea appears with an unpleasant aroma arises in itself. There's really nothing wrong with them. As a rule, in the absence of gynecological diseases, such vaginal secretion often occurs only in certain phases of the menstrual cycle, and is observed for no more than two days.

Often women notice an increase in leucorrhoea during the period of ovulation, which is caused by the active production of sex hormones responsible for the release of the egg from the follicle and its transportation to the uterine cavity. The appearance of an unpleasant odor in this case is caused by an increased level of estrogen in the body during this period.

Also, many women notice this kind of discharge 2-4 days before the start of their period. In this case, their appearance has the following reasons: the cervix prepares for the upcoming menstruation and actively cleanses the vagina of pathogenic bacteria (when menstruation occurs, the cervix opens slightly and becomes vulnerable to various infections), secreting several times more mucous secretion than usual. After a couple of days, such vaginal secretion smoothly flows into menstruation.

What to do?

Every woman should understand that her health depends only on her. If a woman notices an increase in vaginal mucous secretions and the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the intimate area, she needs to immediately go to the doctor. For what? Because there are many diseases that can manifest similar symptoms and they all have different treatments.

Only after an individual examination and receipt of analysis results, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and decide how to treat the disease. Sometimes surgery will be required, and in some cases it will be possible to do without it by undergoing a course of drug therapy, for example, antifungal or antibacterial drugs.

Remember! In no case should you douche or take any medications without a doctor’s prescription if an unpleasant odor or increased leucorrhoea appears. This can only aggravate the situation and provoke serious complications.

What's in the article:

Koshechka.ru once already told you in detail about discharge, today I decided to talk about the smell without discharge in women.

Both discharge and a specific odor can indicate serious health problems. These signs may indicate an ongoing inflammatory process. However, sometimes discharge or odor are not signs of inflammation.

odor without copious and very disturbing discharge in women can be associated with various factors:

• non-compliance with hygiene standards, complete or partial;
• ignoring sexual hygiene;
• STI;
• constant douching.

It’s worth talking about douching in a little more detail. Because it is dangerous because the girl may think that she does not have a serious pathology. There are no allocations. But there are none, because they are all removed during douching. This means that there is a risk of candidiasis, although the characteristic cheesy white discharge is not noticeable, or dysbacteriosis, or colpitis.

A woman can be sick with various diseases, and sometimes the smell, even without noticeable discharge in women, can suggest what the reasons are.

Woman smells like fish

If a woman feels a distinct “aroma” of seafood “from there,” then this may indicate that dysbiosis is developing in the vagina. That is, positive and negative flora are in the wrong ratio.

In addition to this symptom, dysbacteriosis is indicated by itching and burning. The danger of this condition also lies in the fact that against this background, other inflammatory processes develop in the pelvic organs.

Woman smells like onions

If the intimate area smells like onions, then there is a possibility that the woman is infected with a fungus. In this case, the smell intensifies after sexual intercourse or before menstruation. It is important to undergo a bacteriological examination.

When your vagina smells like urine

When a woman smells urine from the vagina without discharge, the reasons may lie in excess body weight or constant stress. It happens that small portions of urine leak from the bladder because there is too much pressure in the abdominal cavity. And this happens at the most unexpected moments - for example, when laughing or doing intense physical exercise.

What if it smells something rotten?

Gardnerellosis can be manifested by a rotten smell, and there are other symptoms. When the infectious process progresses too much, there is also a grayish discharge from the vagina.

Sour smell

This smell is characteristic of thrush, and there is also a cheesy or mushy discharge. Sometimes a woman may say that there is no discharge, but she still smells sour. As the site said, this may be due to too frequent douching. In any case, the absence of discharge should not reassure you; on the contrary, you should definitely go to the doctor.

If a strong “aroma” is combined with itching in the area of ​​the external female genitalia, this may indicate vulvovaginitis caused by mycoplasma, trichomonas, ureaplasma, chlamydia or gonococcus.

What could be the reasons for the smell of acetone?

The rather sharp and specific smell is difficult to confuse with something else. And it can indicate that the woman has diabetes. With this disease, ketone bodies accumulate in the body, and they are excreted with biological fluids.

However, this is not a definitive diagnosis. There are other possible causes of the acetone odor:

• low consumption of clean water;
• protein foods in the diet are “off scale”;
• metabolic disease;
• urinary pathologies.

Treatment can be prescribed only after the disease has been accurately diagnosed.

Iron odor and discharge

Sometimes it smells like iron because vaginal discharge contains blood. If this happens during menstruation, then you don’t need to worry too much. Although sometimes it can smell strange during menstruation, and this may be due to the presence of pathogenic microflora or poor hygiene.

But sometimes such symptoms occur against the background of cervical erosion. In this case, the integrity of the mucous membrane is compromised. However, this is not a “sentence”. Because a similar symptom occurs when injured due to too harsh sexual contact.

More about smells

If you haven’t noticed any of the listed odors, but you have a different one, this does not mean that you are smelling something wrong. Because the vagina may smell completely uncharacteristic for this area. Sweetish, garlicky. And this does not always indicate that you are developing one or another pathology.

Sometimes this indicates that you are consuming too much of certain foods. And although it is worth checking with a gynecologist, treatment may not be required. For example, you should reduce your consumption of garlic, baked goods, confectionery desserts or overly sweet fruits.

It also happens that the vagina smells like a man’s sperm. This suggests that the qualitative composition of the microflora of your vagina is changing.

What is vaginal odor like during pregnancy?

You should not think that if you are pregnant, then now your body works in a completely new way, and the “aroma” from there is the norm.

Sometimes the appearance of odor is associated with changes in hormonal levels, increased activity of microorganisms of negative flora , exacerbation of chronic pathologies of the reproductive system organs.

What should be the treatment?

The treatment plan for unpleasant odor from the intimate area should be based only on the data obtained after the examination. Your doctor may prescribe you vaginal suppositories or suppositories. But the specific name depends on the pathology.

Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal suppositories may be prescribed.

For example, for local dysbiosis, Gynoflor may be prescribed. For fungi and bacteria – Fluomizin, Terzhinan. For gardnerellosis, Clindacin is sometimes prescribed.

When it has been established why the odor occurred in a woman without discharge, appropriate treatment is prescribed; this should not cancel the observance of personal hygiene rules. At a minimum, do not wear synthetic underwear and do not use products with aromatic fragrances for intimate toilet.

A specific smell from the vagina is definitely a reason to go to the antenatal clinic.

Yellow discharge of an unusual appearance with an odor that has not been observed before leads the woman to unpleasant thoughts. Some consider this a consequence of insufficient intimate hygiene, others think about a sexually transmitted disease. There is no need to be scared in advance. Discharge may be a consequence of physiological changes in the body. However, such manifestations often require treatment. In any case, the occurrence of such symptoms should not be ignored. A woman should definitely visit a doctor to find out the exact cause and, if necessary, begin therapy in a timely manner.

Content:

Possible causes of discharge

The appearance of yellow discharge in women often indicates pathological processes in the body. They may be associated with a violation of the bacterial composition of the vaginal environment, as well as hormonal abnormalities. Some diseases are accompanied by copious discharge that has an unpleasant odor.

Vaginosis

Inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. Lactobacilli that live in the vagina protect the internal genital organs from pathogenic microorganisms. Violation of the microflora composition occurs due to hormonal imbalances in the body of women, weakened immunity, and the use of antibiotics. The causes of deviations may be diseases of the genitourinary system and endocrine glands, and the formation of tumors. The infection can be transmitted sexually. The discharge of yellow mucus occurs during sexually transmitted diseases; yellow or yellow-green discharge smells like fish. The source of vaginosis is the pathogenic bacteria Gardnerella.

This bacterial disease is dangerous during pregnancy, as it causes miscarriage or premature birth. The entry of pathogenic bacteria from the vagina into the uterus causes inflammation of its mucous membrane (endometritis).

It should be noted: The likelihood of damage to the uterus after childbirth is especially high. Therefore, if there is yellow discharge with an odor during the postpartum period, a woman must undergo a course of treatment.

Vaginosis is easy to distinguish from thrush (candidiasis), with which it is often confused. Discharge from thrush is white, has a cheesy structure and a sour odor.

Colpitis

An inflammatory process that occurs due to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms such as trichomonas, streptococci, and chlamydia into the vaginal environment. Symptoms of the disease are:

• foamy yellow discharge of a greenish color, with a characteristic unpleasant odor;
• swelling of the mucous membrane of the vagina and labia;
• itching and burning in the perineal area.

Video: Symptoms of vaginal inflammation

Discharge after menstruation

If there is clear discharge after menstruation, this is normal. The appearance of yellowish-green discharge with an unpleasant odor should cause alarm. They can be a sign of vaginal dysbiosis, vaginosis, colpitis. Such discharge is also typical for diseases transmitted through sexual contact (gonorrhea, for example). When visiting a gynecologist, you need to do a smear to check the vaginal environment for bacteria and fungi, as well as bacterial culture, which allows you to identify hidden infections. Sowing shows what type of microorganisms caused the pathological discharge and what antibacterial drugs they are sensitive to.

Endometriosis

A disease that occurs in the uterus due to hormonal imbalances. With this disease, the tissue of the mucous membrane grows. This pathology can cause infertility. Characteristic symptoms include painful menstruation, as well as heavy, yellow-brown, watery discharge with a strong odor that occurs between periods. Endometriosis can be a symptom of female hormonal diseases associated with the formation of benign and malignant breast tumors.

Tumors in various organs

Yellow discharge with shades of varying intensity may also appear with tumors of the internal and external genital organs. In addition, this is often a sign of the formation of a fistula connecting the genital tract to the intestines or bladder. The hole may appear due to the development of a malignant tumor and radiation treatment. Discharge with an unpleasant odor is bright yellow if the pathology is associated with the bladder. If a fistula forms in the intestinal area, then they are dark, with a brown tint.

Symptoms that require you to visit a gynecologist

Since yellow discharge with an odor can be a consequence of serious diseases, you should immediately contact a gynecologist if the following symptoms appear:

• menstrual irregularities;
• detection of diseases of the mammary glands, which are often associated with hormonal disorders in the body of women;
• pain in the lower abdomen and lower back;
• itching and burning in the external genitalia and perineum;
• the occurrence of pain during sexual intercourse.

Video: Yellow discharge with fishy smell

Prevention of pathological discharge in women

One of the main causes of bacterial damage to the vagina is dysbiosis. Its appearance can be facilitated by insufficient or improper hygiene care, frequent douching, uncontrolled use of antibiotics, hormonal drugs, and unprotected sex. Prevention of deviations accompanied by pathological discharge is the timely treatment of female and endocrine diseases, taking medications only under the supervision of a doctor, observing the rules of intimate hygiene, and protecting against sexually transmitted infections.

After childbirth, women continue to experience discharge for some time. This is normal and ends after about six weeks.

Throughout this period, it is important to observe the nature of the discharge, its color, smell, quantity and consistency. This will help you notice any deviations from the norm in time and, if necessary, consult a doctor. Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor and purulent impurities is especially dangerous.

Immediately after childbirth, the female body begins to return to its original state - the hormonal levels change, the muscles of the vagina and abdomen stretch. In this case, the uterus has to endure the biggest changes. Immediately after the placenta is separated, the organ begins to contract, returning to its normal size. In this case, excess fluid is removed from the uterus in the form of postpartum discharge.

At first, there is blood in them, since the separation of the placenta is always accompanied by injury. In addition, pieces of the endometrium often come out with blood, which is renewed and exfoliated during this period. Sometimes particles of membranes are retained in the uterus; they also leave the organ cavity along with fluids. Therefore, the first week after birth, lochia has an intense red color and contains lumps.

Increased discharge during breastfeeding and physical activity is normal, it is provoked by uterine contractions.

Discharge without a pronounced odor and not accompanied by irritation or itching of the genitals is considered normal. They should stop 45-60 days after delivery. Immediately after this, it is necessary to undergo a gynecological examination to assess the condition of the uterus and its cervix, as well as the sutures. If any unpleasant symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor sooner.

Causes of unpleasant odor of postpartum discharge

Any unusual or unpleasant odor from postpartum discharge should cause concern to the woman.

But in order not to be nervous in vain, you need to know how and in what situations lochia can smell:

• A musty smell reminiscent of a cellar, mustiness, dampness, etc. At first, the discharge smells like blood, and when it becomes less, these hard-to-describe rotten notes appear. This usually happens after about 10 days after birth. If the smell is light, barely audible, this is normal. An overly intense aroma that causes discomfort is in most cases due to insufficient or improper hygiene. Try to wash yourself and change pads more often.
• Sour or fishy smell. It is usually accompanied by graying or whitening of the discharge and indicates a violation of the microflora of the genital organs. It can develop due to taking antibiotics or treating sutures with antiseptics, as well as due to errors in hygiene. A discharge with a sour odor and white, cheesy impurities usually indicates candidiasis. In such a situation, antifungal treatment will be required.
• Strong putrid odor. Usually it indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the reproductive organs. During a normal birth in a hospital maternity ward, the likelihood of infection is extremely low, but situations vary. Depending on the location of the pathogen, a young mother may develop diseases such as endometritis, colpitis, perimetritis, parametritis, postpartum peritonitis or puerperal ulcer. All of them can occur in acute or chronic form. A sluggish disease is characterized by mild pain, a slight increase in temperature and deterioration in well-being. In the acute course of the disease, inflammation develops quickly, accompanied by high fever, severe pain, as well as the accumulation of pus, which is released in large quantities along with lochia.
• Smell of urine. It can be caused by vaginal fistulas connecting it to the urethra or bladder. This sometimes happens due to tissue damage during childbirth. Then urine will get into the discharge and cause an unpleasant odor. In addition, fistulas are accompanied by symptoms such as pain in the bladder, pain and burning during urination and increased frequency.

If you hear that the smell of postpartum discharge is different from the norm, you must immediately determine its cause and, if necessary, begin treatment. Untreated diseases can lead to unpleasant consequences in the future.

For example, relatively harmless vaginosis (vaginal dysbiosis) makes the mucous membranes of the genital organs more vulnerable to various infections. This can even cause infertility in the future.

Another disease - inflammation of the endometrium or, is caused by microorganisms that have entered the uterine cavity or due to the decomposition of the remnants of the placenta and blood clots in the uterus.

If it is not detected and treated in time, it can cause infertility and even death. Inflammation in postpartum wounds, the cervix and its cavity is also dangerous. They can spread throughout the body, causing sepsis and death.

What to do if you notice an unpleasant odor in postpartum discharge?

If you notice an unusual and even more unpleasant odor from lochia, you should immediately improve your hygiene. Sometimes this is enough to solve the problem. Then it is important to analyze the smell itself and your well-being. If you have dangerous symptoms - a putrid odor or notes of urine, the presence of pus and other unusual discharge, you must immediately go to the hospital. An elevated temperature is also a bad sign.

You should definitely visit a doctor if the discharge suddenly stops and no more than a month has passed since the day of birth. Sometimes this happens when blood clots accumulate in the uterus. This is dangerous as it can cause inflammation. You should also consult a doctor if, after a week after birth, the amount of blood in the discharge has not decreased.

Most problems during the postpartum period can be prevented with proper and high-quality hygiene. It is advisable to give birth in a hospital setting, despite the fashion for home births, water births and other experiments. Immediately after childbirth, it is necessary to wear special breathable underwear and regularly change pads, wash the genitals with boiled water and, if necessary, treat the seams.

Also, young mothers during the postpartum period are prohibited from:

• Go to the bathhouse and take a steam bath;
• Take baths;
• Swimming in pools and especially open reservoirs;
• Intensely engage in sports.

After resuming sexual relations, it is advisable to use condoms. This will not only help prevent unwanted pregnancy, but also protect the uterus from infection.

To quickly tone the uterus and prevent inflammatory processes in it, the following will help:

• Breastfeeding on demand. Every time a woman feeds her baby, natural oxytocin is produced in her body, which has a positive effect on the condition of the uterus.
• Emptying your bladder regularly. It eliminates additional pressure on the uterus.
• Sleeping on your stomach. It helps strengthen the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.

What awaits a young mother in the hospital?

After contacting the doctor with complaints about the unpleasant smell of postpartum discharge, the woman will need to tell in detail how the birth went, how and when the smell appeared, and undergo a gynecological examination. To make a diagnosis you may also need:

• Pregnancy and childbirth card;
• Microflora smears and PCR;
• Results of blood and urine tests;
• Tests for STDs;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

Carrying out all the examinations will take a little time, but do not refuse them, citing being busy with the baby. The appearance of discharge with an unpleasant odor during the postpartum period is a dangerous symptom.

An unusual aroma in itself is not at all a contraindication for breastfeeding. But it is necessary to determine what caused it; the mother may need treatment. For most diseases that can provoke such a symptom, breastfeeding is possible. But, if you need to take antibiotics, breastfeeding will have to be stopped for a while.

If an inflammatory process develops in a woman’s body, the body produces antibodies to it, which also pass into breast milk. This means that with food the baby receives protection from diseases, which may be useful in the future.

A disease such as thrush deserves special attention. Most women are infected with candida fungus, and due to the weakening of the body after childbirth, it can recur.

In advanced cases, vaginal candidiasis can spread to the nipples and provoke oral candidiasis in the baby. This unpleasant disease is treatable, but causes severe discomfort in the child.

If there is a suspicion that the mother has thrush, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. Until the diagnosis is confirmed, it is better to feed the baby with expressed milk. It is important to disinfect your nipples before expressing.

You can feed your baby in the same way during the treatment of candidiasis. And in any case, it is important to be attentive to your health and not to cause illness.

How many women are bothered by the smell in the intimate area, the feeling of moisture. Problems arise in sex, visiting the pool and gym becomes impossible. Women develop complexes and restrictions. They stop enjoying holidays and don’t go to theaters or parties. There is a threat to the relationship with the man you love. Meanwhile, discharge in women with an unpleasant odor is symptoms of diseases that can be treated. It is necessary to see a gynecologist on time, undergo an examination, find out the causes and solve these problems.

Causes of unpleasant vaginal odor

The female vagina has its own microflora that does not have a strong odor. You should sound the alarm if he suddenly changes. An unpleasant odor in an intimate place appears for various reasons. It could be:

• bacterial vaginosis: appears due to a sharp growth of its own microorganisms;
• thrush: caused by the rapid proliferation of fungi;
• : an infection that is transmitted through sexual intercourse;
• inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
• hormonal disorders;
• cancer of the vagina, cervix;
• use of contraceptives;
• poor daily hygiene.

What vaginal discharge is considered normal?

The female body is individual, and vaginal discharge is also specific. Many factors influence their number and color: age, medication use, health problems, pregnancy. The following discharges are considered healthy:

• cream, white: after sex with a condom;
• copious, liquid: in the morning, if unprotected sexual intercourse was performed at night;
• transparent, white: immediately after sex without protection;
• light, milky in color, viscous: during pregnancy;
• pink ichor: after childbirth, caesarean section;
• brown: in the first months after starting to take contraceptives.

Normal discharge associated with menstruation includes:

• transparent, mucous - in the middle of the menstrual cycle, before ovulation.
• insignificant, jelly-like - in the second part of the cycle.
• creamy, abundant - at the end of menstruation.
• scarlet color, with blood - during menstruation.
• dark or brown – within two days after menstruation.

There is no need to worry if you experience vaginal discharge when it:

• in the form of transparent mucus;
• do not have a strong pronounced odor;
• thick consistency;
• in small quantities;
• not accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen;
• do not irritate the mucous membrane;
• do not lead to itching of the genitals;
• do not cause an increase in temperature.

What diseases are indicated by discharge with an unpleasant odor?

If unpleasant odors appear in the intimate area, it is necessary to urgently visit a doctor, since these are symptoms of diseases that have serious consequences. If the diagnosis is made on time, the doctor will prescribe the correct treatment leading to recovery. What diseases are we talking about? Among them:

• delay, menstrual irregularities;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• obstruction of pipes;
• infertility.

One of the common ones is vaginal dysbiosis, or gardnerellosis. It is characterized by a strong fishy odor, itching, burning and the appearance of viscous mucus of a greenish-yellow hue. Gels, creams, and tablets are used for treatment. The fungal disease candidiasis, or thrush, differs in symptoms. This is a curd-like discharge with the smell of onion, garlic, or sometimes it smells like sour kefir. There is a disease with an ammonia odor. It intensifies during sexual intercourse. Both partners are treated by taking antifungal medications.

What other problems could there be with similar symptoms:

1. Colpitis is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, has different forms and symptoms of the disease. Often there is discomfort during sex, cutting pain, increased discharge in the form of mucus and pus, and impaired urination. For treatment, suppositories, gels and antibiotics in the form of tablets are used.
2. Postpartum copious discharge with a specific putrefactive odor indicates emerging inflammation. These symptoms are closely monitored by doctors in the maternity hospital.
3. Abundant transparent discharge in women, if it is colorless, may indicate inflammation of the appendages and diseases of the cervix. It is worth visiting a doctor to establish an accurate diagnosis.
4. Very often, the cause of an unpleasant odor in the intimate area is sexually transmitted diseases. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. All of them can have serious consequences. However, if you undergo treatment from a venereologist in time, the disease will recede.

White

If white discharge with an odor appears in the intimate area, this is a sign of thrush. They often come in the form of a film or resemble cottage cheese in appearance. This disease also occurs in women who are not sexually active. Sometimes white discharge with a fishy odor appears with bacterial vaginosis. To correctly prescribe treatment, the gynecologist must take a smear.

Yellow

Yellow discharge indicates an infection in the vagina or uterus. If they are thick and yellow-green in color, then the causative agent of the infection is gonococcus. The disease is accompanied by itching and an unpleasant burning sensation in the genital area. If such symptoms appear after unprotected sex, you should urgently see a doctor. Sexual infections, such as trichomoniasis, also have a foamy structure. When purulent diseases occur, the appearance of yellow discharge is accompanied by an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood.

If a woman has had an abortion or had a difficult birth, there is a danger of developing inflammation caused by staphylococci, streptococci - endometritis and adnexitis. Their symptoms are yellow discharge. Thrush is characterized by a sour smell and the consistency of cottage cheese. When a woman experiences yellow discharge between periods, this indicates the possibility of inflammation in the fallopian tubes or ovaries. The process is accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen.

Purulent

One of the main reasons for the appearance of such discharge is inflammation of the organs responsible for reproduction: the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina. More often, these diseases are transmitted during sex and are associated with decreased immunity, poor ecology, and poor intimate hygiene. The color and nature of purulent discharge depends on the type of infection that led to inflammation. They are thick and white-yellow in color with purulent vaginitis. With Trichomonas - greenish-yellow, in the form of foam.

Curdled

In the female body, the vaginal microflora constantly contains a fungus of the genus Candida, which helps maintain constant acidity. When its quantity increases sharply, the disease thrush occurs, which is accompanied by cheesy discharge. In addition, sleep disturbances, burning and itching occur, and urine comes out painfully. A white coating appears in the vagina. There are several reasons for this disease:

• dysbacteriosis;
• pregnancy;
• medicines;
• decreased immunity;
• environmental influences;
• hormonal imbalances;
• stress;
• use of synthetic underwear.

If a woman, in addition to thrush, is diagnosed with cervical erosion, the curdled discharge becomes pink because fresh blood is released. It’s another matter when hormonal imbalances occur along the way. A brown color appears due to impurities of coagulated blood. Curd-like green discharge is formed during genital purulent infections. Look at the photo. This is what white discharge looks like when you have thrush.

Foamy and thick

Foamy, thick discharge indicates the body's reaction to trichomoniasis. Men do not get this disease, but they become carriers of it during sexual intercourse. Sometimes it occurs due to basic non-compliance with hygiene rules. Accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen, burning sensation, and frequent urination. It is treated with special drugs.

Bloody: red or brown

The color of these secretions is associated with the presence of blood in their composition. Before menstruation, brown discharge signals the onset of endometriosis and hormonal disorders. In the middle of the cycle, they are signs of polycystic ovary syndrome, which causes infertility. In the last days of your period, your period may turn dark brown, sometimes black, with blood clots. This indicates the possibility of chlamydia and herpes. Brown discharge after menstruation signals the threat of an ectopic pregnancy.

Red or scarlet discharge indicates cervical erosion if it begins a few days before menstruation. During pregnancy, they signal placental abruption. There is a threat of termination of pregnancy. If discharge appears after sexual intercourse, this signals that the woman has microcracks in the vagina or erosion of the cervix.

Which doctor should I contact?

Depending on the symptoms of the disease, in which an unpleasant odor appears from the vagina, you should contact different specialists. If you experience itching, watery mucous discharge, or a burning sensation associated with sexual intercourse, you should visit a venereologist. It will also help with purulent vaginal discharge, which is accompanied by excessive urination. The doctor will order tests if he suspects that you have become infected with sexually transmitted diseases after unprotected sexual intercourse. Based on the results of the examination, treatment is prescribed.

You should visit the gynecology department in other cases. Discharge in women with unpleasant odors is often associated with physiological processes occurring in the body. Menstrual irregularities, inflammatory processes in the uterus and vagina, the presence of tumors, complications during pregnancy are reasons to visit a gynecologist. Only he, having done all the tests, will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.

Video: how to treat discharge with the smell of rotten fish

Watch the video and you will understand the reasons why women have discharge with unpleasant odors. Find out whether this is dangerous to health and how to behave in such a situation. In the video you will receive information from famous medical experts. You will learn why it is important to consult a doctor in time to conduct an examination and get rid of a disease in which there is a fishy smell from the intimate area.