Vaginal Odor: Causes And Prevention

Millions of women are affected by vaginal odor across the world. It is often described as a fishy smell. Bacteria are normally present in the vagina. When these overgrow in the vagina, vaginal odor may be caused. Vaginal odor may also be accompanied with vaginal discharge, vaginal itching or irritation. Vaginal odor is more distinctly felt after having a sexual intercourse. Some of the causes and preventions of vaginal odor are discussed below.

Poor personal hygiene habits are one of the common causes of vaginal odor. In odor to prevent this you must wash your genital parts with mild warm water and unscented soap. Bad bacteria can breed easily in the thick pubic hair, hence trim them regularly. Vaginal yeast infection is another cause for vaginal odor.

If you have yeast infection then it may also cause extreme itching, strong odor, burning sensations and thick vaginal discharge. In order to treat yeast infection you can use creams and antifungal vaginal inserts.

Sometimes vaginal odor can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). You must go for its treatment otherwise it may cause you pregnancy problems and infertility. Cervical cancer is another cause for the vaginal odor.

Some of the symptoms of cervical cancer may be considered by the sufferers as period pains or as PMS symptoms. Some other symptoms of cervical cancer are unusual bleeding, painful urination, unusual heavy vaginal discharge etc. If you notice these symptoms then immediately consult your doctor because sometimes cervical cancer goes unnoticed until it reaches the advanced stage.

Certain medicines such as ointments and antifungal creams that are used for treating yeast infections can cause vaginal odor. Some other medicines like fluconazone destroy bacteria which can lead to yeast infection and cause vaginal odor.

Some of the other causes of vaginal odor are: wearing tight clothes, using certain chemicals like antibacterial soap and scented body washes, excessive washing and douching. These factors irritate the vagina and cause vaginal odor. To prevent it you should wear lose clothes and stop excessive washing and douching. If you eat too much spicy foods then it may sometimes lead to vaginal odor.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital herpes and trichomoniasis can cause infection of the vagina and lead to vaginal odor. Use of condom helps in preventing the spread of chlamydia and gonorrhoea. If you notice any sign of STDs, get it treated.