Thread: Strange odor...

Vaginal odor can be caused by several factors. The most common cause is vaginal bacterial overgrowth known as bacterial vaginosis, which has a "fishy" or "musty" smell. "Fishy" smells can also result from vaginal infections, such as trichomonas vaginalis, and, in some women, from semen in the vagina. The vagina could also smell "yeasty" because of vaginal yeast overgrowths. While yeast infections are common causes of vaginal discharge, they do not generally cause a "fishy" odor. Cotton underwear is recommended because the synthetic underwear, pantyhose, tights, and spandex exercise clothes do not allow air to circulate around the vulva (the outer lips of the vagina). A moist environment promotes overgrowths of normal skin bacteria that could cause vaginal odor. The offender is usually an infection called "gardnerella" which causes bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is treatable with one of two medicines by prescription only: metronidazole or clindamycin.

The following are possible causes of Vaginal odor:
? Vaginal discharge ? Normal vaginal odor ? Vaginal infection ? Foreign body in vagina (gauze or glove from surgery, etc..) ? Forgotten tampon ? Menstrual cycle ? Lodged contraceptive device ? Sensitivity to odor (you smell yourself but nobody else does) ? Vaginal cancer ? Cervix cancer ? Uterine cancer ? Bowel cancer
Things to stay away from:
? Don't use antiperspirants, deodorant tampons, and powders with talc or perfumes or other feminine hygiene ingredients, because they can be irritating.