The most common female problem is vaginal discharge. Some of them have no health hazard and do not cause women any discomfort, but others may have an unpleasant smell and be accompanied by itching and unpleasant sensations. It is about the discharge of this kind that we will talk about in this article. Discharge with a smell in the intimate zone can not leave indifferent any woman who has encountered this problem.
Norm or not?
Vaginal discharge can be the absolute norm, but only if they do not have a characteristic color and smell and do not bother a woman. Since the glands that are located in the genitals of women secrete mucus, the body gradually gets rid of it itself.
Vaginal discharge also varies depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. During ovulation and after menstruation, they are slightly thicker than before, and may have a subtle sour smell. However, if you began to notice thick discharge on your underwear with a clear color cast or smell, then this is a serious reason to seek help from a specialist.
Causes of discharge, itching and smell
Various bacteria can enter the microflora of a woman, which develops quite calmly there. As a result of their growth, discharge appears, as well as an unpleasant odor. The most common way bacteria gets in is through sexual intercourse. A variety of bacteria and microorganisms can enter the vagina, they become the cause of the inflammatory process. Inflammatory processes can proceed in different ways and with different activity, however, they have only one symptomatology - smell, discharge, unpleasant sensations.
Such discharge may appear in women who have not yet had a relationship with men. Where from? Here, the reason may lie in violations of the immune system, metabolism, possibly due to frequent stress or hormonal imbalance. In any case, only the doctor can give the exact answer to the question of what is the nature of the secretions and how to deal with them.
Fish smell
If a woman has white discharge with the smell of fish, then most likely she has dysbiosis, or bacterial vaginosis. Ideally, lactic acid bacteria should prevail over opportunistic pathogens, but with bacterial vaginosis this ratio changes. As a result, the acidity of the mucus is greatly reduced. This disease is not considered inflammatory or infectious. In the first ten days, vaginosis does not manifest itself at all, but after this time the first discharge appears, which is accompanied by a smell, and it can also disturb burning and itching in the vagina.
The smell of onions or garlic
Immunodeficiency or impaired metabolism leads to the fact that discharge from the girl’s vagina with a distinct smell of onion or garlic is observed. And also such a flavor can appear if antibiotics are taken for a long time or the above-mentioned products are consumed in large quantities. In addition, onion or garlic odor is a consequence of thrush or inflammation of the uterus. The smell is especially good after intercourse. Sometimes this condition can be accompanied by burning and itching.
Sour smell
Candidiasis is one of the main causes of secretions with a sour smell. This disease is caused by the fact that a fungal infection such as Candida enters the vagina. The vagina is an ideal environment for its growth and reproduction. In the people, such a disease is usually called thrush. The discharge during thrush is not just white, they have a curdled texture, a pronounced sour smell, and are also necessarily accompanied by burning in the vagina and itching. Every woman suffered from thrush at least once in her life.
Most often, thrush is sexually transmitted, but not always, since even stress can lead to the fact that the bacterial balance in the woman’s vagina will be disturbed and lead to the formation of thrush. In addition to stress, prolonged use of antibiotics, weakened immunity, and impaired metabolism can also affect this.
The smell of iron
It sounds strange, but female secretions may have an obvious aroma of iron. This is evidence that a small, but a fraction of the blood is present in them. This happens, first of all, just before the start or during the period of menstruation, as well as if a woman has cervical erosion or ectopy. As for the latter, mucous manifestations on linen with bloody clots can most often be observed during or immediately after sexual intercourse. Sometimes they can even be accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen. If you began to notice such discharge on your underwear, then do not delay the trip to the doctor, as there is a risk of neoplasms.
Acetone or ammonia
The sharp smell of ammonia or acetone is not gynecological discharge, but urine leakage. This is due to the fact that a person performs any action that puts pressure on the bladder. This is not always physical activity, it may well be laughter, a strong cough or sneezing. What is this happening for? Most often, such embarrassments occur with people who are overweight, but a strong emotional shock can also be the cause. What does the smell of ammonia come from? There are several reasons, and the main one is a lack of fluid in the body. Because of this, urine becomes more concentrated and gives the mucus the above characteristic.
The smell of acetone is one of the symptoms of diabetes mellitus, so when it is detected, you should immediately go to the doctor for an examination and donate blood for sugar. Without consulting an endocrinologist, solving such a problem is strictly prohibited.
Vinegar or rot
The smell of rot indicates the presence of this process in the body of a woman. This can be an ectopic pregnancy or a fibroid, as well as inflammation of the ovaries.
Trichomoniasis is one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases, which is also famous for a similar symptom. During this ailment, yellow or even green secretions appear from the vagina, which tend to foam and have a distinct smell of rot. In addition, the woman feels severe itching in the perineum and experiences severe pain not only during intercourse, but also during urination.
But if a woman smells of vinegar, then this is a clear sign that she neglects the rules of personal hygiene.
Pregnancy
It's no secret that pregnancy is a time of change for the whole body of a woman, including her hormones. Therefore, it is considered normal if the secret changes its color, quantity and even smell. We must not forget that now the main task of the body is to protect the fetus, prevent its rejection, so it is natural if any chronic diseases remind themselves of themselves or bacteria enter the body. And this is another serious reason why various smelling secrets may appear.
If a pregnant woman begins to notice that white discharge with a smell that is slightly sweet appears on her underwear, then this is most likely a consequence of leakage of amniotic waters. Most often, this happens already in the third trimester, but if some pregnant women have such discharge is insignificant, then for someone they can be continuous. In the latter case, you should immediately consult a doctor, since this is a very big risk for the child and mother. If this happens a few days before the expected date of birth, then this may be the beginning of the birth process.
Unfortunately, there are cases of unsuccessful pregnancy. In women, white discharge, itching and the smell of rot almost with exact confidence indicate the death of the fetus. In this case, the main task of the woman is to get to the hospital as soon as possible, where she will be cleaned to avoid infection of the mother.
In the postpartum period, the secret may include pus and, accordingly, smell like it. This is a postpartum complication. Most often happens in women who have had a cesarean section. Girls who are not pregnant or do not yet know about this may experience delays, and instead of menstruation, an unpleasantly smelling secret is released. In this case, doctors suggest not only the presence of pregnancy, but also possible gynecological diseases. Some representatives of the fair sex have to put pessaries because of their state of health. Some organisms declare war on a foreign body and discharge with a specific smell appears.
How to deal with a problem
We have already found out the causes of discharge with a smell in women, and now it is necessary to find out what are the methods of dealing with this unpleasant phenomenon. Self-medication is highly discouraged here, since the drugs chosen depend on the nature of the secretions and the general condition of the woman. After all, for example, far from all drugs are suitable for pregnant women.
So:
- If the disease is infectious, then medication will be needed, sometimes you even have to resort to antibiotics.
- As for thrush or not too serious inflammatory processes, there are many vaginal suppositories and pills, as well as creams that will relieve you of the disease in ten days.
- There are pathologies in the fight against which not a single drug helps, such as cervical erosion. It can only be "cauterized."
- There is a method such as douching. It refers to physiotherapeutic methods. For douching, use specially prepared solutions that contain antimicrobial agents and antiseptics. There are certain contraindications for using this method: pregnancy, adnexitis, parametritis.
- There are many alternative methods for fighting gynecological diseases. There are many herbal solutions in which tampons are soaked and injected into the vagina. However, folk methods are best used in tandem with traditional ones.
Prevention
To protect yourself from all of the above problems, you should follow these recommendations:
- Try not to go on too tight diets, as this is always a big stress for the body.
- The rules of personal hygiene should not be neglected, especially more attention should be paid to this in the hot season.
- Some gynecologists oppose daily pads. No, you can use them, but you should change them almost every two hours. Otherwise, harmful bacteria will begin to multiply on their surface.
- Particular attention should be paid to personal care products, since not all hygiene products currently offered are suitable for women.
- If you do not have a regular sexual partner, then you must use condoms.
- Avoid buying underwear made from synthetic fabrics.
Folk methods of struggle
The discharge and smell in the intimate zone are well eliminated by the root of the lovage. It is necessary to pour fifteen grams of dry grass with one glass of boiling water, cover the container with a lid and insist for a day. Take one tablespoon three times a day.
It is widely used in gynecology nettle. It not only helps with bleeding, but also fights odor perfectly. So, dry crushed grass is poured with boiling water, insist, filter and the resulting liquid is taken 150 milliliters three times a day.
Wormwood is not the most delicious medicine, but very effective. Ordinary dried wormwood is poured with boiling water and allowed to infuse for some time. Strained liquid is drunk on a tablespoon three times a day. This herb is especially effective if the discharge has not only a pungent smell, but also is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.
Food
Our daily menu greatly affects the state of our body. Women need to eat citrus fruits, which are not only rich in vitamins, but can also rid the body of various bacteria and toxic elements. With their help, the female body becomes not so vulnerable to bacteria.
If the smell from the vagina has already appeared, then include homemade yogurt in your diet. But remember that it should not contain dyes or flavors. Eat garlic that guards bacteria and fungal infections, but don't get carried away with this product. Drink more water, which helps the body get rid of pathogenic bacteria.