Understand the Cause | Vagina Smell Fishy | When to Seek Medical Advice
Although unpleasant, a fishy vaginal odor is nothing to be embarrassed about. In most cases, a fishy smell from the vagina is no cause for concern either and is easily solved with some effective home remedies.
When additional symptoms like itching, discharge, or discomfort while peeing occur in conjunction with a fishy genital odor, home remedies can also help to speed up your recovery along with the required medical treatment.
Read on, to discover the best and most effective home remedies for a fishy vaginal odor.
Home Remedies for Fishy Odor Down There
The best home remedies for fishy vaginal odor are gentle external washing, avoiding douching and scented products, wearing breathable cotton underwear, changing out of damp clothing, and supporting a healthy vaginal microbiome. However, a persistent fishy vaginal smell can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV) or another infection, so home remedies should not replace diagnosis or medical treatment.
If the odor is new, strong, persistent, or accompanied by unusual discharge, itching, burning, pelvic pain, or pain during urination or sex, see a healthcare provider to determine the cause.
1. Wash the Vulva With Warm Water
The vagina is self-cleaning and does not need to be washed internally. Gently rinse the vulva, the external genital area, with warm water. If you use soap, choose a mild, fragrance-free option and use it externally only.
Avoid douching, vaginal deodorants, scented wipes, sprays, and fragranced washes. These products can irritate sensitive tissue and disrupt the vaginal microbiome rather than eliminate the underlying cause of odor.
2. Wear Breathable Cotton Underwear
Cotton underwear allows more airflow than many synthetic fabrics and can help reduce excess heat and moisture around the vulva.
Change promptly after swimming or exercising rather than remaining in wet swimsuits or sweaty workout clothes. Keeping the external genital area dry may help minimize unwanted odor and irritation.
3. Avoid Douching to Get Rid of Fishy Odor
Do not douche to try to eliminate a fishy vaginal smell. Douching can disrupt protective vaginal bacteria and is associated with an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis.
A stronger cleanser or vaginal wash isn't necessarily better. If the odor is being caused by BV, masking the smell will not address the underlying bacterial imbalance.
4. Consider Probiotics for Vaginal Microbiome Support
Lactobacillus species play an important role in maintaining the vaginal microbiome and its normally acidic environment. Some probiotic supplements, like Flora Bloom by Intimate Rose contain Lactobacillus strains intended to support vaginal flora.
Research into probiotics for bacterial vaginosis and recurrent BV is ongoing, and probiotics should not be considered a replacement for prescribed treatment when an active infection is present. Talk with your healthcare provider if you're considering probiotics because of recurring vaginal odor or BV.
5. Avoid DIY Remedies Inside the Vagina
Avoid inserting apple cider vinegar, yogurt, garlic, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, or other DIY remedies into the vagina to treat odor.
A fishy smell may temporarily be masked without resolving its underlying cause, while some substances can irritate vaginal tissue or further disrupt the vaginal environment.
Things Off Down There?
Why Does My Vagina Smell Fishy?
Several factors, like diet choices, hygiene habits, hormonal fluctuations, menstruation, sex, sweating, and vaginal infections can change the aroma of a vagina, and for many the odor smells fishy. The food that you eat, how you clean your vagina, and the products you use during menstruation can alter the odors down there, for example. So too can unprotected sex, intercourse with several partners, pH imbalances, and an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
For better understanding, fishy vaginal odors can be separated into two categories. A fishy vaginal odor with no additional symptoms, and a fishy vaginal odor accompanied by additional symptoms like genital itching, an unusual vaginal discharge, and a burning sensation while peeing.
When the vagina smells decidedly unpleasant or fishy and the odor is accompanied by additional symptoms like an unusual vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, and/or a burning sensation when peeing, a vaginal infection is more than likely to blame.
Below are the most common vaginal infections associated with a fishy odor, the medical treatment required, and what home remedies can help to speed up your recovery.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Recognized as one of the main causes of a fishy vaginal odor, bacterial vaginosis (BV) typically includes additional symptoms like grey-colored vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, and discomfort when urinating. Believed to be caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina, BV is common in women who are sexually active with multiple partners and women experiencing hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.
In addition to the antibiotics required to treat BV, home remedies like boric acid can be used for BV to help to stem the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, restore a healthy vaginal pH balance, eliminate fishy vaginal odors, and reduce the risk of further infection.
Boric Balance
Urinary Tract Infection
As many as 60% of women are known to get a urinary tract infection (UTI) at least once in their life with many suffering from recurring infections too. Experts believe that UTIs are more common in women due to the proximity between the urethra and the anus, making it easier for harmful bacteria to pass from one to the other.
In addition to the common symptom of a burning sensation when urinating, UTIs are also known to cause a fishy odor from the genitals and urine.
While antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat UTIs, drinking lots of water to flush the harmful bacteria can also be effective. Home remedies that further encourage healing from UTIs include Freeze Dried Aloe Vera Supplements with D-Mannose & Calcium from Intimate Rose. Considered highly effective in soothing the burning associated with UTIs, these all-natural supplements have also proved successful in preventing recurring UTIs by stopping harmful bacteria from latching onto the urinary tract.
To avoid recurring UTIs, women are also encouraged to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom and to wash their genitals with warm water and unscented soap after sex.
Trichomoniasis
More commonly known as ‘trich’, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can result in a fishy vaginal smell, yellow vaginal discharge with a greenish tint, genital itching & swelling, discomfort while urinating, and pain during intercourse. That said, as many as 70% of women with trich experience no symptoms at all, so it is vital that sexually active women, particularly those with several partners, schedule regular check-ups to rule out STIs like trichomoniasis.
If left untreated, trichomoniasis can result in more serious conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, or preterm births.
Antibiotics will cure trichomoniasis and sexual partners must be notified & treated too to prevent recurring infections. In conjunction with antibiotics, Boric Acid Suppositories can be an effective home remedy to help kill the harmful bacteria that cause trichomoniasis and restore a healthy balance in the vaginal microflora.
What Can I Do for a Fishy Urine Smell?
For a fishy urine smell, it's important to increase your hydration by drinking more water, as this can help to dilute the odor. You can also avoid foods that are known to cause fishy-smelling urine.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While home remedies can be effective for mild cases of fishy vaginal odor, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, especially if the odor persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like itching or discharge. Conditions like bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted infections require medical treatment and should not be solely managed with home remedies.
Conclusion
Even though a vaginal odor can be unpleasant and upsetting, it is common, and there is no need to be embarrassed. Fishy odors that stem from poor hygiene, sweating, or strong-smelling foods can be easily eliminated with regular genital washing and a more balanced diet.
And while vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and UTIs typically require antibiotics, home remedies like the natural supplements and lifestyle changes mentioned above can make all the difference in preventing recurring infections.
References
Mayo Clinic – Vaginal Odor - https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-odor/basics/causes/sym-20050664
Healthline – What You Need To Know If Your Vagina Has A Fishy Odor https://www.healthline.com/health/vaginal-health/what-you-need-to-know-if-your-vagina-has-a-fishy-odor#causes
News Medical – How to Remove a Stuck Tampon - https://www.news-medical.net/health/How-to-Remove-a-Stuck-Tampon.aspx
Center For Disease Control & Prevention – Bacterial Vaginosis - https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences - A promising support for acute urinary tract infections in women. https://europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2920-2925-D-mannose-a-promising-support-for-acute-urinary-tract-infections-in-women.-A-pilot-study.pdf
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – Trichomonasias CDC Fact Sheet
https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm
National Library of Medicine - The Antimicrobial Effect of Boric Acid on Trichomonas Vaginalis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25581807/
Things Off Down There?
