Not a very pleasant discharge smell. What diseases are evidenced by discharge with an unpleasant odor

Any woman in her life sooner or later faces such a problem as vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Discharges in women with an unpleasant odor cause constant anxiety, refusal of intimacy with a sexual partner and, as a result, irritability and discomfort.

Normally, every woman always has a characteristic smell and discharge from the genitals, because the vagina has its own microflora - a number of bacteria "permanently living" there. They prevent the reproduction of harmful microorganisms, thereby protecting the body of a woman from the development of a particular infection.

If you have an unpleasant vaginal odor (rotten fish, sour smell), as well as unusual discharge (more abundant, greenish, grayish-white, frothy, cheesy, watery or purulent), this means that the balance of the natural microflora of the vagina has been disturbed . Discharge in women with an unpleasant odor is often accompanied by itching, redness, pain in the lower abdomen.

Causes of discharge in women with an unpleasant odor

Such disturbances of the natural microflora may be the result of inflammation in the vaginal area. Such inflammations cause various kinds of vaginal infections (both around and inside), or its dysbacteriosis.

The presence of an infection indicates that, in addition to beneficial bacteria, pathogens are present in the vagina. It is as a result of their vital activity that an unpleasant odor and discharge from the vagina occurs.

It does not make sense to list infections that cause such symptoms, since it is possible to determine the disease only by passing the necessary tests for the presence or absence of certain dangerous microorganisms, as well as an examination by a gynecologist.

The causes of dysbacteriosis (bacterial vaginosis) can be: douching (irrigation inside the vagina), change of sexual partner, use of contraceptive suppositories or vaginal tablets.

What to do?

First of all, you need to make a visit to the gynecologist. After the examination, he will give you the necessary directions for the tests. During the second visit, when all the test results are ready, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment for you. After you drink the medication, you will need to take tests again to confirm your recovery - this will be your third visit to the gynecologist. During the third visit, you will be given a number of recommendations to avoid relapse or re-infection.

What Not to Do

Of course, there can be no talk of any self-treatment. As mentioned above, only your attending physician can make an accurate diagnosis for you and only after passing the necessary tests. Self-medication can only aggravate the disease.

It is worth noting that some infections that cause discharge with an unpleasant odor can lead to such serious consequences as inflammation of the cervix, appendages and infertility.

Each specific infection with the above symptoms requires a specific treatment that will be effective for her, but completely useless for another infection. That is why it is so important to seek help from professionals in a timely manner.

Every woman in the postpartum period (whether by vaginal delivery or caesarean section) is faced with vaginal discharge that lasts approximately 6-8 weeks. During this period, the discharge can change color, density and smell, as they consist of blood cells, plasma and dying uterine epithelium. However, sometimes the discharge has an unpleasant odor, which can indicate a serious danger to the woman's health.

What is considered normal discharge?

So, over the course of 6-8 weeks, when the female body recovers after childbirth, it returns to its “initial” parameters: the pelvic bones are replaced, the configuration of the spine changes, the walls of the vagina narrow, and at the same time, the skin and abdominal muscles tighten.

But especially important changes at this time occur in the uterus, which begin immediately after separation from its inner surface of the placenta (regardless of how the child was born - by caesarean section or through the natural birth canal). The uterus begins to shrink, shrink to its normal state. Separation of the placenta is accompanied by a kind of injury to the inner surface of the uterus, so for 2-3 days it is accompanied by quite strong bleeding, called lochia.

Over time, lochia that does not have a pronounced odor or smells like normal menstrual flow changes its intensity, consistency and color, and this should be paid attention to (even if the discharge is not particularly disturbing). On the 6-7th day after childbirth, the lochia becomes less abundant and acquires a brown tint, however, they can become a little more intense if the woman is breastfeeding, has physical activity. They may also increase with coughing or laughing, but this is a normal manifestation of a more active contraction of the abdominal muscles, and with them the uterus.

As soon as the discharge has stopped (earlier or later than the indicated dates), women are recommended to undergo a gynecological examination so that the doctor can assess the condition of the uterus, its cervix, vagina and sutures.

Unpleasant smell of discharge after childbirth: what can cause it?

If an unpleasant odor appears, you should immediately consult a doctor, as this may indicate an inflammatory process or the onset of certain diseases:

In the first days after childbirth, lochia is the most abundant. They have a characteristic smell of blood and a bright red color. By about the 10th day, the discharge noticeably decreases, its color becomes yellowish or white, but there may be a smell of preli, which is not too noticeable if proper hygiene is observed. Such discharges are considered normal.
A sour or fishy odor may appear when there is a heavy discharge of white or gray color, which usually indicates a violation of the microflora of the vagina caused by medications or physical intervention. Most often, this type of discharge may indicate bacterial vaginosis, especially if sutures were applied after childbirth and antibiotic treatment was carried out. You can get such a diagnosis in case of violation of personal hygiene. A sour smell of white cheesy discharge and itching can be symptoms of thrush. This disease occurs against the background of a decrease in immunity, which leads to a change in the composition of the vaginal flora and the active growth of the Candida fungus. Unlike vaginosis, candidiasis requires treatment of both sexual partners to avoid recurrence (re-infection) of the disease, even if it occurs on its own.
A sharp smell of rot, and lochia with an admixture of pus may appear after childbirth, which took place not in the sterile conditions of the delivery room in the hospital, but at home or in emergency conditions (for example, childbirth began in transport - train, plane, etc.) - when there is a high probability of birth wound to infect. Depending on the location of the infection (it can be the vagina, cervix, uterine cavity, periuterine abdominal cavity), a number of diseases can occur that have an acute or chronic form:

ndometritis;
parametritis;
puerperal colpitis;
puerperal ulcer;
postpartum peritonitis.

The acute form of the disease is characterized by the rapid development of the inflammatory process on the affected organ, fever, accompanied by sharp pain and accumulation of pus (it can leave along with vaginal discharge and give them a sharp putrid odor).

The chronic form is characterized by pulling pains, a slight increase in body temperature (sometimes it can remain unchanged) for a long time, and a violation of the cycle.

What could be the consequences?

Each of the diseases that have arisen, the symptom of which is the unpleasant smell of vaginal discharge in the postpartum period, can have consequences far from simple aesthetic "inconvenience". For example:

Vaginosis(rarely found without concomitant diseases, ultimately leading to inflammatory processes in the uterus, tubes and ovaries) - irritates the mucous membrane and makes the genitourinary system vulnerable to various infections. All this can later cause infertility or affect the bearing of pregnancies, have complications in childbirth.
Uterine bleeding- perhaps the most dangerous complication that occurs in the first 3-7 days after childbirth, and even a slight remnant of placental tissue in the uterine cavity, attached to its endometrium (the lining layer of the organ), can provoke it.
endometritis- a disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms that have entered the uterus from the vagina. Inflammation of the endometrium can be caused, as in the previous case, by the remnants of the placenta, as well as blood clots that have accumulated in the uterine cavity and are a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic flora. One of the reasons for the entry of pathogenic bacteria from the vagina into the uterine cavity may be non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and / or the onset of sexual relations too early. Endometritis can lead to infertility, and if the disease is neglected, to death.
Abundant blood discharge can also be with hypotonic bleeding.- as a result of insufficient contraction of the uterus due to a significant weakening of its muscle fibers.
Inflammatory processes of postpartum wounds of the vagina, cervix or in its cavity can be much worse- spreading deep into the body, the infection first affects the organs of the genitourinary system, and then the entire body, causing sepsis as a result (it can develop almost instantly - in 1-2 days - from its mild stage to septic shock with a fatal outcome).

What to do?

First of all, you should remember that:

Self-medication is always dangerous, and in the postpartum period it is deadly, since even a slight malaise can be a symptom of a serious postpartum complication.
Personal hygiene is especially important in the postpartum period - this will reduce the risk of various complications.
In the first 3-4 months, a woman should avoid:

visiting the bath, and in particular the steam room;
bathing in a bath (instead of a bath, use a shower) or in closed reservoirs;
excessive physical activity and intense sports.

washing (but not douching!) using decoctions of herbs (for example, chamomile, succession, nettle),
the use of condoms during the resumption of sexual activity - this will not only avoid unwanted pregnancy, but also protect against the penetration of "foreign" bacteria into the uterine cavity, which can cause destructive changes;
frequent attachment of the baby to the breast during breastfeeding - this simulates the contraction of the uterus and its "cleansing";
regular emptying of the bladder;
sleeping or resting in a prone position helps contract the abdominal muscles.

You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if:

The discharge ended earlier than a month after the birth - this may be the result of the accumulation of blood clots in the uterus, which will provoke inflammatory processes in its tissues.
Bloody discharge does not decrease - this can lead to anemia.
Lochia have an unpleasant odor, pulling pains in the lower abdomen periodically appear, fever - this may be a sign of the onset of one of the complications of the postpartum period.

When contacting a doctor about a discharge with an unpleasant odor, a woman may need to: undergo a gynecological examination and answer the questions of the gynecologist (it is better if it is the same doctor who conducted the pregnancy) about the course of childbirth, complications during childbirth (a pregnancy management card may be required and childbirth);

pass a smear for flora, a smear by the PCR method;
take blood and urine tests, tests for STDs;
undergo an ultrasound.

No matter how busy you are with the baby, the appearance of discharge with an unpleasant odor in the postpartum period requires an urgent consultation with a specialist, because in some cases it can be not only a serious illness, but also life itself.

Collapse

A healthy woman should not have vaginal discharge that smells bad. White is considered normal, which does not bring discomfort and is present in moderation. They are needed to protect the reproductive organs from infection.

Discharge with an unpleasant odor in women may appear during any illness. At the same time, their color, texture and quantity change. Only an experienced specialist can find out the cause and prescribe treatment. Sometimes the reason for the specific aroma lies in the elementary - poor hygiene of the external genitalia.

Causes of smelly discharge

If a lady has an unpleasant smell of discharge, then this means that there is an inflammatory process or a disease of a different nature in the pelvic organs. When organs are damaged by pathological microorganisms, fetid discharges appear. This may happen during:

Bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, foamy and strong white-yellow discharge with an unpleasant rotten odor are observed. There is also itching and burning of the external genitalia.
Thrush (urogenital candidiasis). The cause of the occurrence is a yeast-like fungus that appears with a weakened immune system, during nervous stress, during menopause, pregnancy, etc. It manifests itself in the form of curdled white discharge with an unpleasant odor, which can be liquid and plentiful. Their smell is sharp, unpleasant, with a sour tint. During sex, emptying the urethra and at night there is a strong burning sensation and itching.
Trichomonas colpitis. Discharge from women with an unpleasant odor in this pathology also has a green tint.
endometriosis. Appears mainly in women who have hormonal disruptions. At the same time, the mucous membrane grows pathologically and is accompanied by yellow or brownish secretions.
Tumor formations. Yellow discharge with an odor in women is present in the presence of a benign and malignant neoplasm.
Fistula formation. With the reproduction of pathogenic microflora, a secret and a putrefactive odor begin to appear.
Sexually transmitted diseases (venereal diseases). Immediately, in addition to unpleasantly smelling discharge, itching, burning, pain during sexual intercourse and problems with urination may appear.

In order to understand the cause of deviations, you need to undergo an examination in a medical institution.

Predisposing factors for the appearance of odor are:

insufficient hygiene;
lack of a permanent sexual partner;
weakened immunity;
hormonal changes;
dystrophic changes in the mucous membranes;
the use of certain medications;
anomalies in the structure of the reproductive organs;
a spiral that costs more than 5 years;
nervous breakdowns and depression;
obesity;
metabolic disorders.

Sweet smelling discharge

A sweet smell appears in women who have previously eaten sweet fruits or drinks. This is not a pathology and passes after a certain time.

With a strong unpleasant odor

If the discharge smells like rotten meat, then this is a sign that the woman is having an inflammatory process. If it smells of rotten fish (the smell of rot) - we are talking about vaginal dysbacteriosis, colpitis, inflammation of the appendages or sexually transmitted diseases.

with metal

If the smell of iron is present in the vaginal mucus, then this is a sign of blood impurities or the presence of a sexually transmitted disease.

Characterization by color and smell

You should always pay attention to the smell, color, consistency and amount of secretion. The doctor will make a preliminary diagnosis according to the nature of the discharge, and after that further studies will be carried out.

White discharge

During the discharge of a white secret, a woman may experience a sour pungent odor - this indicates thrush. If it gives off rotten meat, this is a sign of vaginosis.

In some cases, this symptom indicates a decrease in immunity. Intense whites may appear after the lady has worn synthetic squeezing thongs or is very nervous. With rare hygiene procedures, a specific smell also occurs.

yellow secret

The presence of yellow, bad-smelling mucus indicates inflammation.

If this symptom occurs after intercourse, then this is probably a sign of an STI. In addition to this yellow tint, discharge appears when:

streptococcal or staphylococcal lesions;
vaginitis;
trichomoniasis;
diseases of the genitourinary system;
the presence of tumors and other neoplasms;
hormonal imbalance, etc.

colorless secret

Colorless discharge that is not characterized by a bad odor or has a sweet smell does not mean pathology. They should be present in any healthy woman. Increased during intercourse and arousal.

If the discharge is colorless, but smells bad, this may indicate a sexually transmitted disease.

Therapy

Treatment of pathology depends on the cause of its occurrence. If the smell appeared due to poor hygiene, then in order to get rid of the symptoms, a woman will wash herself more often, change her underwear and pads. After delivery, specific odors in the discharge will go away after 20-30 days (if there is no infection).

If this unpleasant symptom caused any disease, then appoint:

Antibacterial agents. They eliminate pathogenic microflora and contribute to a speedy recovery. Together with them, you need to drink medicines that support the intestinal microflora. Here they write out both a tablet form and candles. The appropriate drug is selected by the gynecologist depending on the diagnosis.
Lactic acid. It is she who restores the vaginal microflora.
Taking hormonal drugs. They correct the disturbed background.
bacterial preparations. To activate the bacteria that the body needs.
Vitamin complexes. For boosting the immune system and a speedy recovery.
Anti-inflammatory drugs. Usually in the form of an ointment, cream or suppositories.

You definitely need to rethink your diet. Proper nutrition should include fermented milk products, more vitamins. Garlic has an antifungal and antibacterial effect, so you should not forget about it too.

Another important nuance is the drinking regime. You need to drink more fluids so that pathogens, toxins and toxins leave the body.

For douching and baths, you can also use decoctions of medicinal plants:

licorice;
geranium;
chamomile;
birch leaves;
sagebrush;
pine;
mint;
oak bark;
calendula;
nettles, etc.

In order for everything to return to normal, you do not need to self-medicate. Only a qualified specialist is able to prescribe quality treatment.

When should you see a doctor?

Medical attention should be sought when the vaginal lubricant has changed its color, consistency and smell. Any, even minor changes can indicate a serious pathology. Remember that only timely treatment will give good results.

Conclusion

Unpleasant smelling discharge from the genitals should not go unnoticed. Most often, this symptom is a sign of illness. To remove it, you need to eliminate the very reason that led to this.

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

What do you need to know?

The vaginal secret is a kind of lubricant that performs several functions at once. It protects the mucous membranes from drying out and injuries, and also helps to cleanse the vaginal cavity from pathogenic microorganisms, with the accumulation of which various diseases begin to develop.

The secret released from the vagina contains:

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

Normally, in women, the vaginal flora is represented by lactic bacteria, which help maintain the acid-base balance. It is because of them that women can periodically observe discharge with a sour smell.

In the vaginal microflora, there are other microorganisms related to opportunistic pathogens (fungi, viruses, bacteria). With a decrease in protective forces or the impact on the body of other factors, 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 the appearance of serious health problems.

The mucous secret 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 causes

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

Be watery or have a slimy consistency.
Stand out in an amount of no more than 4-6 ml per day (in the absence of pathological processes, they are almost invisible and do not require the use of daily pads).
To be transparent or white (in the latter case they are simply called white).
Be odorless or exude a sour aroma.
Do not provoke irritation in the perineum.

If you find white discharge with a smell, you need to conduct a small analysis of the latest actions. An unpleasant aroma from the intimate area may appear for the following reasons:

Douching (they have a negative effect on the acid-base flora).
Frequent stress.
Abuse of alcoholic beverages.
Engaging in unprotected intercourse (a sour smell may appear due to male sperm entering the vagina).
Improper nutrition (diet and the absence of fruits and vegetables in the diet causes a deficiency in the body of vitamins and minerals, which also adversely affects the work of the reproductive organs and the secret they secrete).
Taking antibacterial drugs.

Moreover, an unpleasant smell, doctors often cause the presence of hormonal disorders. They can occur against the background of pregnancy (when it occurs, the level of progesterone significantly exceeds the level of estrogens) and long-term use of hormone-containing drugs.

Important! It must be understood that if the discharge appears against the background of physiological changes in the body, then they do not have a sharp aroma. They exude a sourish or sweetish smell. At the same time, there are no other signs of infectious processes or inflammatory diseases (hyperemia, burning sensation, etc.). If a woman observes a strong white discharge and a specific smell emanating from them, then you should immediately go to a specialist, even if there are no third-party symptoms, since they are not typical for all diseases.

Pathological causes

Vaginal discharge with a specific odor in women is not considered the norm, especially if they provoke 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.
Pain 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, in addition to the abundant discharge of a 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 does not manifest itself at all in the initial stages of its development. The only thing that a woman can observe with cervicitis is a liquid discharge that has a slightly sour smell. Other symptoms appear already when the disease is fully played out. In this case, patients often complain about:

Drawing pains in the lower abdomen.
Painful menstruation.
The presence of blood streaks in the whites.
Brown discharge occurring outside of menstruation.

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

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

But in addition to cervicitis, there are many other diseases, with the development of which there are fetid discharge from the vagina.

Candidiasis

More often, unpleasantly 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 conditionally pathogenic vaginal microflora and are activated under the influence of various factors:

Stress.
Prolonged use of antibiotics (more than 10 days).
Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Reduced immunity, etc.

For candidiasis, the following symptomatic picture is characteristic:

The appearance of abundant secretions, resembling granular cottage cheese in their structure.
Feeling of wetness in the perineum (a daily pad helps to cope with this symptom).
Itching and burning in the intimate area.
Cutting when urinating.
Has a strong sour odor.

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

gardenerelez

Another pathology that develops against the background of the reproduction of microorganisms that are part of the conditionally pathogenic microflora is gardnerella. When their growth is activated, the mucous membranes of the vagina become inflamed, which leads to the appearance of copious secretions of a white or greenish tint.

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

STDs (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, etc.) are also manifested by an unpleasant odor from the intimate area and abundant discharge. Their shades can be different - white, yellow-green, green, etc. The vaginal secret itself exudes 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

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

Pain in the abdomen, aggravated during sex.
Violation of the cycle (menstruation may go more often and longer than usual or be absent for a long time).
The appearance of a brown daub outside of menstruation.

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

Allocations depending on the menstrual cycle

If a woman passed all the necessary tests, and she did not reveal any pathological processes, the question of why whites with an unpleasant odor appear arises by itself. In fact, there is nothing wrong with them. As a rule, in the absence of gynecological diseases, such a vaginal secret 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 whiteness 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 in themselves 2-4 days before the onset of menstruation. 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), releasing several times more mucous secretion than usual. After a couple of days, such a vaginal secret smoothly flows into menstruation.

What to do?

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

Only after an individual examination and obtaining the results of the analysis, 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 an unpleasant odor and whiter intensification appear, douching and taking any medications without a doctor's prescription. This can only aggravate the situation and provoke the occurrence of serious complications.

We note immediately that vaginal discharge can be both odorous and odorless. Their color can vary from blood red to yellowish. Discharge with an unpleasant odor. The bad smell of vaginal discharge is the smell that irritates any normal clean woman. Trying to mask sour-smelling discharge with intimate deodorants can only exacerbate the problem.

DISCHARGE WITH ODOUR FROM THE VAGINA

A healthy woman should have sexual secretions. Sexual discharge should be moderate and have a mucous character. Genital secretions should not have an unpleasant odor. In the second phase of the cycle (approximately 2 weeks before menstruation), the discharge should intensify and the woman may experience, outside the state of sexual arousal, a feeling of slight moisture in the vulva.

Normal secretions do not have a pleasant smell, do not cause discomfort, do not cause itching, burning and irritation of the genital organs. This is usually a natural smell, not the result of neglect of personal hygiene, and it occupies not the last place in the awakening of a healthy sensuality. Vaginal discharge consists of peeled cells of the skin of the vagina and mucus that impregnates its walls. The natural secretions of a healthy vagina have the consistency of milk and the smell of curdled milk.

Causes of unpleasant vaginal odor

Normally, the genital female organs have a slight specific vaginal odor, but if hygiene is observed, it is completely invisible. Its change occurs with inflammation of the vagina, which is often the result of infection. The mechanism is simple: in the course of their life, pathogens decompose nutrients and emit gases with a very bad smell.

There are two main pathological odors

1. Acid secretions. With dysbacteriosis or thrush, the acidity of the microflora changes. The sourish unpleasant smell of discharge in women just indicates this problem. In addition to this symptom, abundant discharge in the form of flakes, similar to curdled milk, is also disturbing. The mucous membrane of the vagina is irritated and inflamed, a burning sensation is felt inside it and in the area of the labia. For the treatment to be successful, smear microscopy and microflora analysis are necessary.

2. Rotten secretions. The unpleasant smell of secretions, reminiscent of stale and rotten fish, occurs with bacterial vaginosis. The disease has a second name - gardnerellosis. It manifests itself as a result of dysbacteriosis, and the smell is so intense that even those around you can feel it. Bacterial vaginosis is fraught with serious complications: endometriosis, abscesses, bartholinitis, sepsis. Prompt medical attention and antibiotic treatment are required to avoid complications.

Healthy female vaginal discharge has the following parameters:

Quantity - approximately 1 - 4 ml per day (spot diameter on a daily pad is from 1 to 5 cm)
Consistency - thick (both slightly and very thick)
Color - from transparent or whitish to yellowish (both light and dark yellow)
Structure - homogeneous (like not very thick sour cream) and / or lumps of 2-4 mm
Smell - from complete absence to sourish (normal vaginal discharge has an acidic pH of 4.0 to 4.5)
Itching - absent.

Normal vaginal discharge is made up of: mucous secretion of the glands located in the cervix, exfoliated epithelial cells from the walls of the vagina, the cervical canal and a large number of bacteria that normally live in the vagina and the lower half of the cervical canal.

The presence of lactic acid sticks and the acidic environment they create is a condition for the natural cleansing and disinfection of the vagina. The traditional advice of our grandmothers to wash the vagina for hygienic purposes does not stand up to criticism, because this destroys its own bacterial-milk flora and creates ideal conditions for various infections. A healthy woman should never rinse (dry) the vagina, as this is an unhygienic and unsafe procedure.

In addition to milky secretions with the smell of yogurt, a significant amount of clear mucus appears from time to time in a healthy vagina. It is abundantly secreted from the cervix during ovulation, as well as during moments of intense sexual arousal.

In the region of the foreskin of the clitoris, as well as in its immediate vicinity, at the base of the labia minora, there are small sebaceous glands that produce fatty substances that are abundantly secreted during sexual arousal. The intense smell of these sexual secretions is usually associated with the sexual activity of the partner and has an exciting effect on the man.

If a woman does not wash her labia with warm water and soap, then redness and irritation of the skin may occur as a result of the fermentation of the mixture formed from fatty secretions of the sebaceous glands, vaginal secretions and mucus coming from the cervix. It is clear and without further explanation what an unpleasant smell of secretions spreads in this case. It must be remembered that sexual smells cause a completely opposite reaction of a partner if a woman neglects personal hygiene.

Speaking about the specific smells of sexual secretions, one cannot fail to mention the smell of menstruation. The menstrual period requires a woman to redouble her energy in personal hygiene. With heavy bleeding, it is necessary to change pads more often and wash thoroughly so that there is no blood left on the genitals that has an unpleasant odor.

However, if for one reason or another, the number of beneficial bacteria in a woman's vagina decreases, then the harmful bacteria take over. That's when certain diseases develop. Often, they are asymptomatic and their only sign is discharge, itching, and an unpleasant odor of vaginal discharge. So, for example, vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor can be with gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis).

In the case when the sexual discharge is yellowish or greenish in color, thick and grayish, the sexual discharge has an unpleasant odor and is accompanied by burning and itching, redness and soreness - most likely this is infection with a sexually transmitted infection. Such infectious diseases can lead to very unpleasant consequences for the health and reproductive function of the female body.

Bacterial vaginosis- profuse gray-white or yellow-green sticky discharge, with the smell of rotten fish.

Vaginal discharge with a smell, discharge with the smell of fish, rotten. - a signal indicating that you should urgently visit a doctor and take tests, a smear for the vaginal microflora.

Therefore, if you observe discharge, itching, smell of the genitals - do not postpone a visit to the gynecologist!

If white discharge is caused by bacterial vaginosis, doctors recommend, in addition to medications, agents that normalize the composition of the vaginal microflora. For example, Multi-Gyn ActiGel: its active part is a complex of bioactive polysaccharides obtained from a gel-like extract of aloe leaves. It blocks the attachment of pathogens to the vaginal mucosa and thus neutralizes them, helping to restore the healthy microflora of the female reproductive system.