The bodily fluids of a healthy person do not have any strong aroma. Therefore, if urine smells like fish, this should be a cause for real concern. The indicated manifestation indicates the presence of failures in the body.
When does urine smell like fish in women? What to do to eliminate discomfort? We will try to answer these and other questions later in the material.
Diagnostics
If a person suffers from a pronounced fishy smell of urine, to determine the real cause of the phenomenon, he should go through the following diagnostic procedures:
- pass urine for analysis;
- perform a smear from the ducts conducting urine to determine the nature of the microflora;
- make bacterial inoculation;
- conduct an ultrasound of the organs of the genital and urinary system.
Trimethylaminuria
Why does urine smell like fish? A specific female disease such as trimethylaminuria can contribute to this. The presented deviation is also called fish smell syndrome. Failure in the body affects the change in the aroma of other bodily fluids, in particular sweat. Thus, with trimethylaminuria, not only urine smells like fish, but the whole body.
It is worth noting that this condition does not pose a danger to humans in physiological terms. In most cases, a woman does not feel a strong unpleasant odor from her own body. People notice the stench rather. The phenomenon negatively affects the social life of a person, brings emotional irritation, causes moral dissatisfaction.
Why does urine smell like rotten fish if trimethylaminuria develops? The specified malfunction in the body is a genetic pathology. In this case, trimethylamine, a chemical compound with an extremely sharp aroma, is not sufficiently excreted from the body. The substance is synthesized during digestion in the intestine. In significant quantities, it is found in seafood, fish, eggs, and legumes. Therefore, if there is a disease, after the fish urine smells like fish.
In a healthy person, the liver produces a specific enzyme - flavin. The substance promotes the conversion of trimethylamine to its oxide form, without a pungent odor. Subsequently, these compounds are excreted from the body with urine. The whole process is controlled by the FMO3 gene. If it is absent or malfunctioning, trimethylamine accumulates in body tissues. In a person subject to an ailment, urine smells like fish, bad breath is felt, sweat has an extremely repulsive aroma.
What treatment is used for trimethylaminuria?
The consequences of fish smell syndrome cannot be eliminated medically, based on the genetic nature of the problem. In this case, the only more or less effective way to eliminate the trouble is to assign a special diet program to the patient. From the diet, all products that are a source of supersaturation of the body with trimethylamine are gradually excluded. As practice shows, even such actions only to a small extent produce a positive effect. Doctors have not yet developed an effective method for the complete cure of trimethylaminuria. Therefore, people prone to the syndrome have to struggle with the elimination of unpleasant odors throughout their lives.
The appearance of an unpleasant smell of urine as a result of taking medications
Why does an unpleasant smell of urine appear in women? The reasons may lie in taking certain medications. Most often, this leads to the use of B vitamins, as well as strong antibiotics containing ciprofloxacin. The problem is usually resolved naturally. It is enough to stop taking medications.
Unpleasant urine odor in metabolic disorders
If urine smells like salty fish, this may indicate a change in the balance of substances in the body. This happens with dehydration, as well as with diets. To eliminate the unpleasant, repulsive aroma, it is recommended to drink at least 1.5 liters of water daily. With strict adherence to the diet, it is necessary to balance the diet by saturating the food with foods high in various vitamins. Such actions will bring the metabolic processes back to normal, speed up the breakdown of chemical compounds in the body, which are a source of unpleasant odor.
Which doctor should I contact for help?
If the urine smells like fish, it is recommended to make an appointment with a gynecologist. When there is a violation of metabolic processes in the body, an endocrinologist will help. If there is a suspicion that the root of the problem lies in the wrong, unbalanced diet, it is better to go to a nutritionist. To exclude the genetic nature of the phenomenon, a visit to a geneticist will be useful.
What other diseases cause an unpleasant urine odor?
Why does an unpleasant urine smell occur in women? The reasons often relate to the development of cystitis. The disease develops against the background of inflammation of the urinary tract as a result of hypothermia. With such an ailment, the unpleasant aroma of body fluid is almost imperceptible. More discomfort is caused by pain in the lower abdomen. To eliminate the unpleasant smell of urine with cystitis and remove discomfort, doctors prescribe the use of antibacterial medications, as well as baths with medicinal herbs.
There are a number of other diseases, the development of which leads to the appearance of an unpleasant smell of urine. These are primarily venereal diseases such as ureaplasmosis and chlamydia. Without a timely visit to a doctor, these diseases quickly turn into a chronic form. Typically, these infections not only affect the appearance of an unpleasant smell of urine, but also lead to a change in its composition and color. In this case, potent antibiotics of a specific action are prescribed for treatment.
Diseases of the digestive system, in particular dysbiosis and gastritis, can lead to the appearance of an unpleasant aroma of urine. In these cases, body fluids acquire a pronounced acidic odor.
Therapy Features
To eliminate the fishy smell of urine in inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitourinary sphere, antibacterial agents are prescribed. Immunomodulating drugs, vitamin complexes may be prescribed to patients.
During therapy, patients are contraindicated in alcohol abuse. Doctors also advise to refrain from regular, active sex life. To reduce the sensation of an unpleasant smell of urine, you will need to follow all the instructions of a specialist. It usually takes months to eliminate severe discomfort.
Improving the quality of life and eliminating the discomfort associated with body odor contributes to:
- regular hygiene procedures using soap and shower gels with a pH level of at least 5.5;
- reduction in the number of serious physical exertion, during which metabolic processes in the body are activated;
- avoidance of emotional upheaval and stress;
- the use of activated carbon after meals;
- frequent change of clothes.
Finally
Trying to find out why urine, like the body, acquire an unusual, unpleasant smell, women often resort to therapy using all kinds of folk remedies. But it is much more effective to immediately determine the real cause of the problem. To do this, it is enough to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis and consult a doctor. In any case, do not be embarrassed if you have such a delicate problem. After all, applying for qualified help, it will be possible to begin effective treatment much earlier and eliminate the trouble faster.