It is natural that the intimate area of a person has some kind of aroma, but some vaginal odors can indicate a serious infection. This is especially true when they are accompanied by a change in color, quantity or consistency of vaginal discharge. In the article we will consider the varieties of smell in the intimate zone, the reasons for its appearance. We will also provide a description of thrush, which is one of the main causes of this unpleasant symptom. In addition, the article will give recommendations on how to get rid of the smell in the intimate zone. We will tell you what preventive measures exist to prevent its occurrence.
Musk
The reason for the smell in the intimate area without secretions lies in the moisture produced by the sweat glands located in the area surrounding the vagina. This musk flavor is considered normal and is found in most women. If it becomes unpleasant, you need to see a doctor, as this may indicate the onset of the disease.
Fish
If there is a fishy smell in the intimate area in women, this is most likely the result of infection. If an unpleasant odor increases immediately after sexual intercourse or is accompanied by copious discharge, this may be a symptom of bacterial vaginosis. This disease is characterized by excessive growth of bacteria, which upsets the delicate balance in the vaginal mucosa. The causes of bacvinosis can be different, including prolonged use of antibiotics and violation of hygiene rules for the intimate area.
If a woman has green discharge, vaginal itching and pain during urination, this may be a symptom of trichomoniasis - a fairly common and treatable sexually transmitted disease.
Chlorine
Lubricants used by some women during intercourse, as well as condoms, can contribute to the presence of an unpleasant odor, which most women compare to chlorine or bleach. Fortunately, in this case there is nothing to worry about. You should try using condoms with different flavors. Speaking about how to get rid of the smell in the intimate zone, the reason for which was the use of such funds, you can simply try to replace them with others.
Yeast
Typically, a small amount of yeast bacteria is present in the vagina. The disease occurs when an excessive increase in the number of these microorganisms occurs. You will learn about the problem if you notice a faint odor similar to the smell of fresh bread. How to get rid of the smell in the intimate female zone? Most yeast infections can be treated with antifungal over-the-counter medications, but visiting a doctor will not hurt to make sure the diagnosis and treatment are correct.
Iron
If it seems to a woman that the vagina smells a little metal during the menstrual period, it is too early to sound an alarm. During the menstrual cycle, the smell of blood can mix with the natural aroma of a healthy vagina, so it acquires a metallic note.
Sweet
Not everyone knows that some foods can affect vaginal odors. Fruits (oranges, pineapple, grapefruit) sweeten the smell and even taste of vaginal fluids, while onions, garlic, broccoli and asparagus can make them worse. How to get rid of the unpleasant odor in the intimate area in this case? You have to exclude some foods from your diet.
Thrush
Now consider the most common disease in which there is an unpleasant odor in the intimate zone in women. Candidiasis, commonly referred to as thrush, is an autoimmune disease. Doctors give him the status of "conditionally pathological." This means that a certain amount of Candida fungus is always present in a woman’s healthy vagina. Overly active reproduction of the fungus leads to pathology. Speaking about how to get rid of the smell in the intimate zone caused by thrush, its main cause should be eliminated. Often, thrush occurs due to a decrease in immunity, which is promoted by dozens of conditions and diseases.
Why women may have candidiasis
We noted above that one of the causes of odor in the intimate area is candidiasis. It can be caused by:
- Taking hormonal medications (such as contraceptives).
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Frequent change of sexual partners.
- Improper nutrition (a lot of flour, sweets, excess alcohol).
- Antibiotic treatment.
- Stress, hard work and other conditions that affect immunity.
- Diseases of the genitourinary system.
Often there are situations of “family” thrush - when both partners suffer from pathologically overgrown yeast-like fungi of Candida, because the thrush is sexually transmitted, and the virus can thrive both in the genital area and in other parts of the body.
It is important to remember that during pregnancy in most cases, Candida virus is transmitted from mother to baby. Therefore, it is important to treat even a sluggish disease - in order to ensure a healthy life for yourself and your child. It is worth remembering that sometimes thrush indicates serious violations in organs and systems. In some cases, it can be a sign of HIV infection.
Do not neglect the signs that the body sends. To find out the causes of odor in the intimate area, you need to see a doctor and conduct a diagnosis.
Symptoms of thrush in women
Symptoms of pathology may include:
- Itching or burning in the genital area.
- Redness and soreness of the external genitalia.
- Painful urination.
- Painful or discomfort during intercourse.
- Cheesy discharge.
- Unpleasant odor from the vagina.
A particularly strong manifestation of these symptoms occurs in the premenstrual period. Burning can be very discomforting. There are cases when a woman is allergic to Candida mushroom itself. In such cases, it is prone to frequent exacerbations of chronic thrush.
How is the survey
In order to check yourself at the slightest suspicion of thrush, you must consult a doctor. The procedure for taking a smear is completely painless. Using a special swab, a scraping is made from the vaginal wall and sent for analysis. The result of this study will be the conclusion about the presence of fungus, but that is not all. As we mentioned above, almost every woman is a carrier of a certain number of them.
Further research involves a quantitative analysis (the number of CFU is calculated), which determines how many mushrooms of each species are contained in the smear.
Next, the sensitivity of the fungi to medications is determined. They are affected by various medicines (Fluconazole, Amphotericin, Itraconazole, Voriconazole and others), observing which of them works and which does not. So they select the necessary type of treatment for the patient. However, such a study is not carried out in one hundred percent of cases. Usually they resort to it in the case of a long and unsuccessful treatment with the means most often used in gynecological practice.
Why the disease does not go away
Treatment for women of the smell in the intimate zone should begin with the elimination of its main cause. If it is an infectious disease, it must be treated consistently and competently. In the case of thrush and bacvaginosis, it is necessary not only to destroy pathogenic fungi, but also to restore the normal microflora of the vagina.
Unfortunately, some women take the problem lightly, stopping treatment when the unpleasant symptoms disappear. Many patients with the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the vagina do not rush to the doctor, but begin to get rid of the problem on their own. This approach, as a rule, leads to various complications or entails the transition of an acute form of the disease to a chronic one. As a result, symptoms appear periodically over many years.
There are patients who, in the absence of acute manifestations of the disease (or for other reasons), stop taking the drugs, and then resume again. These actions can lead to the fact that pathological fungi cease to respond to the drug, developing resistance to it.
Especially often, doctors note that women, having undergone a full course of treatment with pathology, do not complete rehabilitation therapy. Some at this stage stop treatment due to elementary laziness and irresponsibility, while others lack funds for vaginal probiotics, which are quite expensive. Among such funds, the most popular can be distinguished:
- "Vaginorm-S";
- "Geniflor E";
- Ecofemin;
- "Vagilak";
- "Lactozhinal";
- "Lactobacterin" (the powder from which the suspension is prepared for oral administration or for topical use).
Incomplete treatment can lead to re-illness.
Intimate hygiene
How to get rid of the smell in the intimate area? Body and skin care at any age is welcomed by specialists in the field of cosmetology and health. Buying another cream for hands or neck, many women leave intimate areas without proper attention. But care for these parts of the body is just as important and necessary as regular hand washing and brushing. The treatment of odor in the intimate area is always based on hygiene.
It is not only about taking a shower or bath in a timely manner. The genitals need careful care and regular care. The fact is that intimate hygiene is very scrupulous, since the acid-base balance in the vaginal area is significantly different from that in other parts of the body.
The skin of the body has a pH of 5.5, and the vagina has a pH of 3.4. That is why so often ordinary cosmetic soap is not suitable for washing intimate places. It causes some inconvenience, especially when soap bubbles fall directly into the cavity of an intimate organ. This causes irritation and itching, which is contraindicated for a fragile female body.
In the process of choosing the means for the care of the genitals in a cosmetic store, it is necessary to abandon the bright and aromatic bars of soap. The most suitable means in this case will be a specialized gel for intimate places. It guarantees reliable protection of delicate female places from infections and fungi.
Still how to get rid of the smell in the intimate zone? Of great importance is the number of washings per day. Intimate places must be washed at least twice a day. This will allow the woman to maintain comfortable freshness throughout the day. If the rhythm of life does not allow you to regularly take a shower, there are other ways of intimate care. Then special intimate napkins, which are sold in any pharmacy today, will come to the rescue. They have a soft, delicate structure and are saturated with an antiseptic that provides protection of intimate places from bacteria. Wet wipes should be in every lady's purse.
Frequent washing with a gel or soap is also harmful. They lead to dryness and irritation of the mucous membranes, can cause itching and other undesirable effects, including an unpleasant odor.
Swabs and pads
It is very important to learn how to use women's tampons and pads correctly. It is worth remembering that gaskets exist for daily use and for critical days. Each species has a certain level of absorption. The number of droplets on the package will indicate how much moisture a particular pad is able to absorb. Do not use one intimate napkin for more than five hours. All fluid and excretions that remain on it can become a source of reproduction of harmful microorganisms. Therefore, gynecologists advise changing pads every five hours of use.
Tampons, unlike pads, have a shorter shelf life. As a rule, it is limited to one year. When purchasing such products, it is necessary to carefully study the packaging, which indicates the release date. Insert the swab according to the instructions. Otherwise, you can damage the vaginal mucosa, causing vaginal inflammation. Tampons should be inside the vaginal cavity for no more than two hours. Absorbing female secretions, they significantly increase in size. For this reason, they stretch the vaginal walls. From the point of view of gynecology, tampons are at risk during critical days. The bacteria that accumulate on them have excellent access to the cervix and fallopian tubes.
Therefore, untimely replacement of a sanitary tampon can cause vaginitis and candidiasis. It should be noted that the vaginal cavity needs oxygen, which passes an ordinary gasket. In the case of tampons, air is limited, which is why there is a risk of diaper rash and the formation of unpleasant odors.
Cosmetics
To moisturize and nourish the skin of intimate places, you need to use special products that have an optimal level of acidity. They are absolutely harmless to the microflora of the vagina. Once inside, they function as lubricants and provide the formation of a lubricant that is considered normal for intimate women. It is better to purchase such creams and ointments in pharmacies, since there all products have special patents and are tested for allergenicity.
However, all efforts can be in vain if a woman wears poor-quality underwear. The condition of internal genital organs depends on the composition and comfort of the panty tissue. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to natural materials that provide unlimited access to air and create a comfortable feeling when worn. It is equally important that intimate underwear is not cramped.
We examined the causes and treatment of odor in the intimate area.