Vaginal Odor After Sex

Are you concerned about a strong vaginal odor everytime after you had sex? Find out why and how to prevent it.

Although a mild vaginal odor exists with a healthy vagina, some women may notice that this particular odor becomes more distinct after unprotected sex. This can sometimes result in embarrassment in front of your partner and cause a sense of inferiority.

If you have a strong vaginal odor that smell fishy after sex, it is most likely to be an indication of a vaginal infection.

Fishy Vaginal Odor -- Find out what causes the fishy odor and how to get rid of it.

Nevertheless, when you do notice a slight change in smell, it does not necessarily mean that you really have an infection. Vaginal odors usually vary during ovulation and menstruation. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor about the problem and get a proper diagnosis.

What Are The Possible Causes For Vaginal Odor After Sex?

In most cases, women who detect a strong foul vagina smell after intercourse is likely to have already developed an infection or a related condition. Vaginal infections are caused by overgrowth of a variety of microorganisms such as, yeast, bacteria and fungi. An overgrowth of yeast may cause vaginal yeast infection while an overgrowth of the Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria causes bacterial vaginosis (more commonly known as BV).

On the other hand, there are other reasons why one might have vaginal odor:

• Poor personal hygiene
• Excessive washing or douching
• Wearing tight or non-absorbent underwear
• Vaginal infection caused by unprotected sex
• Wearing a tampon/pad for prolonged period of time

A pre-existing vaginal odor may also worsen after unprotected sex due to contact with semen as well as sweat. The vaginal discharge after sex is usually thick and yellowish, accompanied by a foul smell. This is due to the fact that the pH level of the vagina is about 4, while semen has a neutral pH of 7. When semen is being secreted into the vagina, the vaginal flora is being disrupted as the pH changes, hence producing an odor. The same goes for blood, which is slightly alkaline - that explains the strong vaginal odor during menstruation.

What Are The Ways To Prevent and Get Rid of Vaginal Odor?

In order to prevent any unpleasant vaginal smell especially after sexual intercourse, always encourage your partner to wear a condom. This not only help prevents STDs but also ensures that your vaginal discharge will not smell bad.

Women who are prone to developing vaginal odor right after sex should also wash up (not douche) after intercourse to keep the vagina clean and odor-free. Washing up right after intercourse help to clean away any bacteria that may be lingering around outside or inside the vagina canal. Delaying it may cause harmful bacteria to multiply and go up into the bladder, causing urinary tract infections (UTI), thus washing up after sex is necessary to help maintain a good feminine hygiene and health.

Additionally, it is most important that you always try wearing loose cotton underwear that can help to ventilate the vaginal region so that any foul smell can be aired out. Wearing tight or non-absorbent panties may cause vaginal sweating, causing more odor to be produced. You can also wear a panty liner, which will absorb any discharge. Do remember to change the panty liner regularly throughout the day.

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