In response to obstetrician-gynecologist Himali Maniar Patel, MBBS, DGO, it may be completely regular to have a point of vaginal odor after your interval ends—and never simply if you’re actively bleeding, when it might sound apparent that issues might scent somewhat off down there.
It is true that sure vaginal smells can sign an an infection attributable to an imbalance within the vaginal flora (extra on that beneath). And paradoxically, a few of the largest culprits behind that imbalance are “hygienic” merchandise that promise to make you scent higher down there. However, a post-period scent doesn’t essentially signify the presence of any situation. Because it seems, sure menstruation-related shifts could cause a standard, momentary post-period odor.
Why your vagina may scent after your interval
A few completely different causes may very well be behind vaginal smelliness as soon as your interval subsides. An enormous one: leftover blood. “A standard purpose for a metallic scent is the presence of iron in your interval blood,” says Amy Wetter, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at Pediatrix Medical Group. “This will linger, particularly if in case you have brown discharge from leftover or previous blood and tissue nonetheless making its method out.”
“A standard purpose for a metallic scent is the presence of iron in your interval blood.” —Amy Wetter, MD, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist
Some different-than-usual micro organism may additionally be rising or proliferating in your vagina post-period, inflicting a shift in how issues scent. “The vagina requires a low pH (acidic pH) to be able to preserve a wholesome bacterial steadiness,” says Dr. Wetter. “Since interval blood has a excessive pH (fundamental pH), this will permit sure sorts of micro organism to flourish [more so than others], which can trigger [temporary] odor or discharge.”
Certainly, Dr. Patel says that “a buildup of micro organism on the floor of your vulva or in your vagina” is a significant potential explanation for any sort of post-period funk. “This will additionally occur extra so across the time of your interval as a result of hormonal adjustments and elevated moisture close to the realm,” she provides.
One other stunning offender: leaving a tampon in for too long or after your interval is completed. (On that observe, right here’s your pleasant reminder to vary your tampon each 4 to eight hours, at most.) The blood and secretions that accumulate on a tampon can result in a “foul” or “rotten” odor as they permit for micro organism to develop, says Dr. Wetter. To not point out, a tampon sitting within the vagina for too lengthy can throw off the steadiness of your present vaginal flora, which might improve your threat of an an infection, like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast infection.
Both of these infections could cause vaginal discharge that may have a robust odor (within the case of BV, a fishy scent, and with a yeast an infection, a bitter or yeasty scent like sourdough) at any time limit—which is why it’s vital to analyze additional in case you discover extreme scent or discharge post-period, says Dr. Patel, notably if it’s accompanied by different signs of an an infection, like itching, burning, redness, or ache throughout penetrative intercourse.
How will you handle a post-period scent?
Any non-infection-related vaginal odor you could discover after your interval will subside by itself with none particular therapy. However in case you’re seeking to clear it up extra rapidly—or forestall a post-period scent within the first place—it might be useful to brush up in your vaginal hygiene practices.
Dr. Wetter and Dr. Patel counsel doing the next:
- Bathe each day, utilizing solely heat water to softly clear the vulva and across the opening of the vagina
- Bathe and/or change instantly after figuring out
- Keep away from utilizing any scented vaginal-care or hygienic merchandise
- Don’t douche
- Put on loose-fitting pants and cotton underwear
- Keep well-hydrated
- Eat probiotics to assist stave off infections (for instance, by consuming gut-healthy yogurts)
When do you have to see a health care provider for a post-period odor
Dr. Wetter encourages in search of medical care if any unusual-to-you vaginal odor lasts greater than two to 3 days after your cycle, if it’s accompanied by fever or chills, or in case you expertise pelvic ache. Additionally, in case you discover discharge together with the scent, she provides, and it’s yellow or inexperienced, it’s a good suggestion to see a health care provider. “These are all indicators that you could have an an infection (which will require treatment to resolve), and never only a momentary change as a result of your menses,” she says.
Seeing a doctor can assist you both rule out an an infection or obtain therapy for one, in the event that they decide that that’s the reason for the odor.
The excellent news? Once more, most post-period odors are completely regular, momentary, innocuous, and can go away on their very own. And even in case you do be taught that your vaginal scent stems from an an infection, the sorts of infections at play listed below are usually simply treatable, says Dr. Patel. “With the suitable therapy and care, you possibly can rapidly get again on monitor and really feel extra snug in your individual pores and skin.”
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