Things you can do at home
- Cleaning tips. Avoid using any douching product or anything with dyes or a strong fragrance.
- Diet. Some foods may cause a fishy or other vaginal odor.
- Supplements. A probiotic may be helpful for restoring bacterial balance in your gut and vagina.
- Change your routine.
What causes fishy odors down there?
The most common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor are: Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection that’s caused by an imbalance in your vagina’s flora. BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex.
Is it normal for it to smell fishy down there?
The vagina usually has only a mild odor or sometimes no odor at all. A “fishy” smell or other strong vaginal odor might mean there’s a problem. Conditions that cause a strong vaginal odor might also cause other vaginal symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation or discharge.
How do I get my pH balance back to normal?
How to restore your vaginal pH naturally
- Consider using boric acid suppositories.
- Incorporate more probiotics into your diet.
- Consider taking garlic tablets.
- Find ways to destress.
- Cut back or quit smoking.
- Be mindful of how you clean your vulva and vagina.
- Pay attention to your underwear.
- Use barrier methods during sex.
How do you get rid of the fishy smell from down there? – Related Questions
What are signs that your pH balance is off?
Some of these symptoms include:
- Strong, fish-like smell coming from your vagina.
- Grey, green, or foamy vaginal discharge.
- Itching around the vagina.
- Swelling and irritation around the vagina.
- Pain or burning feeling in the vagina during sex.
- Burning sensation while urinating.
What throws off a girl pH balance?
Anything that changes your vagina’s ph balance can throw off bacteria levels and lead to infection. Actions such as douching, using scented products and deodorants around the vagina, wearing tight non-breathable clothing, or using irritating products can all contribute to ph imbalance.
What causes bacterial vaginosis?
BV is a result of an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV.
Can bacterial vaginosis go away on its own?
In one-third of cases, bacterial vaginosis (BV) resolves on its own without any medications. However, if you have symptoms, you should seek medical care. Having BV makes you prone to sexually transmitted infections and can affect pregnancy.
How long does bacterial vaginosis last?
Once you start treatment with a simple course of antibiotics, the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV) usually go away within two to three days. While in some cases it can resolve on its own without treatment, it can take longer to clear up and it can come back.
Is bacterial vaginosis a STD?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a bacterial infection that causes unusual vaginal discharge with a fish-like odor. Although BV can transmit to others via sexual activity, healthcare professionals do not consider it a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and it can develop due to other reasons.
What is the main cause of bacterial infection?
What causes bacterial infections? A bacterial infection occurs when bacteria enter the body, increase in number, and cause a reaction in the body. Bacteria can enter the body through an opening in your skin, such as a cut or a surgical wound, or through your airway and cause infections like bacterial pneumonia.
How do I stop getting BV?
Pay attention to vaginal hygiene
avoid douching, which can increase your risk of developing BV. wipe from front to back after peeing or a bowel movement. change liners, pads, or tampons often. avoid scented or deodorizing vaginal products, including sprays and wipes.
Is BV caused by stress?
Any change in your immune health—like stress—can impact your vaginal pH level, making a yeast infection and/or bacterial vaginosis more common.
Who is most likely to get BV?
Prevalence of BV increases based on lifetime number of sexual partners. Non white women have higher rates (African-American 51%, Mexican Americans 32%) than white women (23%).
What foods can cause BV?
Researchers suggest that high fat intake, particularly saturated fat may increase vaginal pH, thereby increasing the risk of bacterial vaginosis. As you can see in the associated video Bacterial Vaginosis and Diet, most saturated fat in the American diet comes from dairy, desserts, and chicken.
What probiotics are good for BV?
Studies have shown that several probiotics, including oral Lactobacillus acidophilus, intravaginal L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus GR-1, and L. fermentum RC-14, can increase the number of vaginal lactobacilli and return the vaginal microbiome to normal.
What kills the bacteria in BV?
Q: How is bacterial vaginosis treated? A: There are two antibiotics that are recommended for the treatment of BV: Metronidazole (such as Flagyl®, Metrogel®) Clindamycin (Cleocin®, Clindesse®)
Can cranberry cure BV?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that cranberry juice may help remedy symptoms. Complete prevention of BV is not possible, however, there are a number of factors to be considered when attempting to reduce the risk of BV.
What foods help clear BV?
Probiotic-rich food, including yogurt that contains certain Lactobacillus strains, is good for more than just your gut. It can also help improve your recovery from BV and reduce overall symptoms. This bacterium helps keep your vaginal pH levels in check, helping to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
Does peroxide get rid of BV?
Does hydrogen peroxide work? One of the popular home remedies for recurring BV is hydrogen peroxide. One study suggests that douching with 30 milliliters (ml) of hydrogen peroxide every day for a week eliminated BV symptoms in 89 percent of participants.