Vaginal Discharge With Odor

Vaginal discharge that comes with a foul smelling, fishy odor may be a sign of a bacterial infection. Find out what are the causes and the treatments available to help treat the infections.

Vaginal discharge with odor can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing symptom of a greater health problem. Discharge from the vagina in its self is not a problem since normal discharge helps keep your vagina clean and healthy. However there is reason for concern when the discharge changes color or it has a fishy odor.

Causes for Vaginal Discharge

A certain amount of discharge is healthy because it is our bodies way of cleaning the vagina to prevent and fight infections. Each day fluid moves through the vagina to remove dead cells, replenish moisture and balance pH levels. This discharge can be affected by sexual arousal, pregnancy and your monthly menstrual cycle. During these different times and through out the day your vaginal discharge may become heavier. The discharge should always remain whitish or clear and should not have any unpleasant odor.

Symptoms That May Indicate a Problem

There are several symptoms that may signal the presents of a bacterial infection problem with you vaginal area. They can include:

• Sudden heavy amounts of discharge that are well above the normal amount.
  
  
• A change in the normal color of you discharge such as a white, gray or yellowish vaginal discharge.
  
  
• You begin to have cottage cheese like vaginal discharge with unpleasant, fishy odor.
  
  
• You begin to experience a severe itch, irritation or burning within your vagina.
  
  
• Your discharge is tinged with blood and you are not about to start your menstruation cycle.

The above changes occur when the vagina's balance of healthy bacteria and PH level are altered. There are many reasons that can cause this unbalance. Some of them are:

• Douching or excessive washing
• Feminine hygiene sprays
• Exposure to some scented soaps or bubble baths
• Antibiotics and other medications
• Hormone imbalance during adolescence or pregnancy
• STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
• Bacterial infections

Two of the most prevalent infections are bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a bacteria called Gardenerella vaginalis. While the exact cause of bacterial vaginosis is still not known, there are certain factors that can increase the chance of you getting it including having multiple sexual partners and douching. However there are also many cases of women getting the infection even if they have never had sex or douched.

The signs of bacterial vaginosis are:

• Vaginal discharge that it greyish or yellow in tint
• A fishy genital odor that is most noticeable after washing with soap after sex
• Redness, swelling and inflammation of the vaginal area
• Itching and burning

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Yeast infections are caused when the small amount of healthy yeast in the vagina grows out of control. Frequent yeast infections occur in many women for no particular reason at all. For others, they can be caused by poor personal hygiene habits, pregnancy, antibiotics or diabetes. There are currently no link between sex and yeast infections.

The signs of a yeast infection are:

• Vaginal discharge that is white and has a cottage cheese like texture
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Extremely intensive itching
• Swelling, inflammation and pain in that area of the vulva
• An unpleasant pungent smell

Treatments and Remedies for Vaginal Discharge with Odor

Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with powerful antibiotics. Yeast infections are treated with medications that are placed inside the vagina as well as oral medications. Once you have ruled out infection there are a few home treatments and remedies involving foods that can help.

Certain foods and diets can assist with the prevention and treatment of vaginal odor.

• Organic plain yogurt is a great source of the healthy bacteria that are vital in keeping the vaginal pH levels in balance therefore keeping feminine odor under control. Not only can it be eaten to prevent odor, it can also be directly applied to the vagina to stop inflammation and irritation.
  
  
• Garlic is known for its mighty ability to combat fungus and has a great deal of health benefits. Garlic is easy to add to your diet through foods but also can be found in drops or pills at health food stores.
  
  
• Fiber rich diets are also advised to help prevent and treat feminine odor. Fiber helps the body rid itself of toxins by absorbing them and moving them out of the bowels quickly.
  

Some foods that should be avoided are aged cheeses, sugars, gluteus grains and yeast. All of the foods on this list are fuel for bacteria and can cause vaginal discharge with odor.