BV symptoms: What they are, causes, and treatment
Why Does Period Blood Smell?
Blood does not usually smell when you get a cut on your finger, for example, so why does period blood bring a particularly unpleasant odor? Your period blood may smell if you have a bacterial infection or an imbalance of "good" and "bad" bacteria in your vagina. Leaving a tampon in for too long may also cause an odor.
You may have noticed that your period has a lingering odor every month. You might not always smell it, but it sometimes may be less than pleasant. Read on to learn what causes period blood smell, how to minimize it, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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A particularly strong fishy smell may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), an infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. BV is one of the most prevalent vaginal conditions in women aged 15–44. Other BV symptoms include: Gray or milky white vaginal discharge that may have a foam-like or watery consistency Itching near the outside of the vagina (vulva) Vaginal irritation Having any of those symptoms is a cue to consult a healthcare provider. A rotten smell could be a sign that you've left a tampon in for too long, Christine Greves, MD, an OB-GYN at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Florida, told Health. Although rare, leaving a tampon in your vagina for a prolonged time could lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), an infection caused by certain types of Staphylococcus bacteria that emit toxins. TSS symptoms begin suddenly and may include the following: A red rash that resembles a sunburn Feeling confused Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (i.E., diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting) Headache or muscle aches High fever with or without chills Low blood pressure Malaise, or a general sick feeling Organ failure Red eyes, mouth, or throat Seizures Try feeling around your vaginal opening for a tampon string or feel inside of your vagina for the tampon if you are unsure whether you removed it. See a healthcare provider if you are still uncertain. Vaginas are host to many different bacteria. You may notice an odor if that bacteria mixes with period blood, said Dr. Greves. "When you cut your finger, you wipe the blood off right away, and it's fresh blood, meaning it hasn't been sitting around for a while," noted Dr. Greves. "Period blood stays in the vagina for a longer period of time. It's exposed to the bacteria in the vagina, and that's where you get that odor." You might notice that your period blood sometimes smells different. The amount of bacteria in your vagina fluctuates, which can change the smell. Practicing good menstrual hygiene helps reduce the smell of period blood while helping you feel comfortable during your period and preventing infections. Ways to minimize period blood smell include: Frequently changing your pad or tampon: This is key if you do not have an infection but just want to keep your period smell to a minimum, said Dr. Greves. How often you need to change to avoid odor will depend on your flow. Experts suggest changing pads every few hours and tampons no more than every eight hours. Menstrual cups: These are reusable devices that insert into the vagina to collect period blood rather than absorb it. Menstrual cups are typically made up of elastomer, latex, rubber, or silicone. You can clean and reuse a menstrual cup for up to 10 years. Proper hygiene: The vagina cleanses itself, so you only need to rinse your vulva with water while bathing or showering. Do not douche or use deodorizing products like vaginal sprays or wipes. Those products throw off the natural bacteria in your vagina, putting you at risk for infection. Staying hydrated and wearing breathable, clean underwear may reduce period blood smell. It's normal for your vagina to have a slight odor, although it's usually not noticeable. A slight change is usually nothing to worry about, said Dr. Greves. You may want to talk to a healthcare provider if, all of a sudden, your period smells seriously unpleasant. Other signs and symptoms that you may want to consult a healthcare provider about include: Abnormal bleeding, such as spotting between periods Burning while urinating Discharge Itching near the vulva Pain during sex or while urinating A healthcare provider will likely examine your cervix, vagina, and vulva and look for abnormal discharge. They may take a sample of vaginal fluid to test for infections. A little period odor is nothing to be ashamed of. You are likely the only one who may notice it anyway. Frequently changing your pads or tampons, practicing good menstrual hygiene, and using a menstrual cup help reduce period blood smell. Contact a healthcare provider if you are concerned about the odor or have other symptoms, such as milky white, watery vaginal discharge.Everything You Want To Know About Vaginal Yeast Infections
Vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis) are common. Over-the-counter treatment options may alleviate your symptoms within a few days. In severe cases, prescription medication may be necessary to clear the infection.
A healthy vagina contains bacteria and some yeast cells. But when the balance of bacteria and yeast changes, the yeast cells can multiply. This causes itching, swelling, and irritation.
Vaginal yeast infections are more common than other genital yeast infections. Treating a vaginal yeast infection can relieve symptoms within a few days. In more severe cases, it may take longer.
Vaginal yeast infections typically cause:
Whitish-yellow and clumpy vaginal discharge is another symptom. Some people describe the discharge as looking like cottage cheese. Sometimes, the discharge may also be watery.
The yeast Candida is a naturally occurring microorganism in the vaginal area. Lactobacillus bacteria keeps its growth in check.
But if there's an imbalance in your system, these bacteria won't work effectively. This leads to an overgrowth of yeast, which causes the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections.
Several factors can cause a yeast infection, including:
A specific kind of yeast called Candida albicans causes most yeast infections. These infections are often easily treatable.
If you're having recurring yeast infections or problems getting rid of a yeast infection with conventional treatment, a different version of Candida might be the cause. A lab test can identify what type of Candida you have.
Each yeast infection is different, so your healthcare professional will suggest the best treatment for you. Treatments are generally determined based on the severity of your symptoms.
Simple yeast infectionsFor simple yeast infections, clinicians usually prescribe a 1-6 day regimen of an antifungal cream, ointment, tablet, or suppository. These medications can be in prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) form.
Common medications include:
You might follow up with your clinician to ensure the medication has worked. You should also schedule a follow-up visit if your symptoms return within two months.
If you recognize that you have a yeast infection, you can also treat it at home with OTC products.
Learn more about yeast infection pills and medications.
Complicated yeast infectionsYour healthcare professional will likely treat your yeast infection as if it were a severe or complicated case if you:
Possible treatments for severe or complicated yeast infections include:
If you're sexually active and your infection is recurring, you may want to see if a sexual partner has a yeast infection. It's possible to pass the infection back and forth.
Avoid sexual activity or use a barrier method, such as a condom, when having sex if you suspect either of you has a yeast infection.
You can try to treat vaginal yeast infections with natural remedies if you'd like to avoid taking prescription medication, but these aren't as effective or reliable as the indicated medications.
Popular natural remedies include:
Make sure your hands are clean before applying creams or oils to your vagina.
You may also want to talk with a healthcare professional before trying natural remedies. If your symptoms are due to something other than a simple yeast infection, a doctor can help diagnose your condition.
Talk with your doctor about herbal remedies if you take OTC or prescription drugs. Some herbs can interact with medications you may be taking or can cause other unintended side effects.
All bodies have Candida — not just the female body. When there's an overgrowth of this fungus, it can lead to a yeast infection. The groin area is especially prone to Candida overgrowth because of skin folds and moisture.
Still, penile yeast infections are most commonly caused by having condomless penis-in-vagina sex with a partner who has a yeast infection.
The symptoms of a yeast infection may not be as prominent in people with penises. You might see redness and white patches along the shaft or experience a burning or itchy sensation.
Consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis if you think you have a penile yeast infection.
The most common yeast infection in infants is a diaper rash. However, not all diaper rashes are the result of yeast overgrowth.
You can tell if the condition is more than just a diaper rash if your baby's skin is extremely red and has spots in the groin area despite using diaper rash cream. Yeast infections may also be present in other skin folds, such as under the armpits.
Your child's pediatrician will likely prescribe a topical antifungal cream to treat yeast infections of the skin. An oral medication may be needed if your baby has oral thrush (yeast infection of the mouth).
While yeast infections in babies are usually harmless, they can lead to more serious infections when left untreated.
Although you can pass a yeast infection to another person, it's not contagious in the same way as other infections are.
You won't "catch" the infection through the air or by using the same shower as someone with the infection, for example.
Yeast infections aren't considered STIs. Although sexual contact can increase your risk, it does not directly cause a yeast infection.
A newborn may develop a fungal diaper rash if the birthing parent has a vaginal yeast infection during delivery. Nursing can also pass a yeast infection to the baby's mouth if Candida overgrowth is present in the breast area.
Yeast infections are common during pregnancy because of hormone fluctuations. Consult a healthcare professional if you're pregnant and suspect a yeast infection to get the right diagnosis.
You won't be able to take oral antifungal medications due to possible birth defects. Topical antifungals are safe to use during pregnancy, though.
It's important to treat yeast infection early, especially if you're pregnant so that you can prevent such complications.
While it's possible to have one or the other, or even both infections simultaneously, UTIs and yeast infections are different.
A UTI is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary system. This complex system includes your urethra, as well as your bladder and kidneys. Sexual activity, STIs, and failure to urinate regularly can all increase your risk of UTIs.
The symptoms of a UTI are also different from those of a yeast infection. There's no noticeable discharge, but you might see a small amount of blood in your urine. A UTI can also cause frequent urination along with pelvic and abdominal pain.
Without treatment, a UTI can lead to more serious kidney complications. Consult a healthcare professional to get antibiotics.
If this is your first suspected yeast infection, you'll want to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional. This ensures that your symptoms are related to Candida overgrowth and not a more serious condition.
Your clinician will first conduct a pelvic exam, noting any visible discharge, redness, and swelling. They will ask you about other symptoms such as burning and painful urination.
If needed, your clinician might order a vaginal fluid test. They will first collect a sample of vaginal discharge with a cotton swab, which will then be sent to a lab for study under a microscope.
Once your clinician has determined it's a fungal infection — or another type of infection — they will then be able to prescribe the correct treatment.
While it's possible to develop a yeast infection after sex, a yeast infection itself is not an STI. Instead, other factors at play can throw off your vagina's Candida balance.
Fingering, oral-vaginal sex, and penetration with a sex toy or penis can all introduce bacteria. Genital-on-genital contact with a partner who has a yeast infection can also transmit the fungus to you.
It's also possible that the yeast infection is purely coincidental. There are many underlying risk factors for a yeast infection, with sexual contact being just one of them.
BV is the most common type of vaginal infection in people between the ages of 15 and 44.
Its primary causes are bacterial imbalances from douching and sexual activity — it's not a fungal infection like a typical yeast infection. BV is said to have a strong fishy odor, too.
BV has other symptoms similar to a yeast infection, including changes in discharge, burning, and itching. This can make distinguishing between the two infections difficult.
But while a vaginal yeast infection doesn't cause long-term complications, untreated BV can. This includes an increased risk of STIs, preterm labor, and infertility.
Unlike a yeast infection, you'll need a prescription antibiotic to clear up BV. A healthcare professional can help you distinguish between a yeast infection and BV.
Chances are that you know exactly what led to your yeast infection. For example, some people experience these infections every time they take antibiotics.
Whether you know the exact cause, here are tips to avoid recurring infections.
Try:
Avoid:
Essential oils have gained attention recently as "natural" remedies to common medical ailments. These plant-based products can be powerful, but so far, no research has shown that essential oils work better for yeast infections than conventional methods.
One risk with essential oils is that some people might be allergic to them. Do a patch test on a small spot before applying them to larger areas. This is especially important when considering sensitive areas such as the vulva and vagina. It's also important to dilute oils properly before use.
Confirm with a healthcare professional that your symptoms are indeed caused by a yeast infection before trying essential oils as treatment. You can also ask about safer oils, such as coconut oil, for symptom relief.
Having both a yeast infection and your period can feel like a double whammy. However, this isn't uncommon. Yeast infections are most likely to occur during the final days leading up to menstruation.
Fluctuations in hormones are thought to be a cause of yeast infections before your period, causing imbalances in healthy bacteria in the vagina.
If you experience white to yellow discharge in the week before your period, this isn't automatically a yeast infection unless you have other hallmark symptoms, too, such as redness, burning, and itchiness.
While a nuisance, early treatment can help clear up your yeast infection before your period starts. Consult a healthcare professional if your symptoms don't improve after your period ends or if you continue to get yeast infections before your period.
Yeast infections are common occurrences. Prompt treatment can help reduce uncomfortable symptoms within a few days. By recognizing your own risk factors, you can prevent future infections.
Consult with a healthcare professional if you have recurring yeast infections that last longer than two months.
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Study Unravels How Bacterial Vaginosis Disrupts Vaginal Health
Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition in which the natural microbiome of the vagina falls out of balance, sometimes leading to complications in sexual and reproductive health. But exactly how these bacterial populations disrupt vaginal health has remained unclear.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have now found that in bacterial vaginosis, certain bacterial species dismantle protective molecules on the surface of the cells lining the vagina, dysregulating key processes that mediate cell turnover, death and response to surrounding bacteria.
The findings, published November 29, 2023 in Science Translational Medicine, may help explain why bacterial vaginosis is associated with many adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes -; a longstanding mystery in gynecology.
The balance of bacteria in the vagina play a key role in a person's health. Bacterial vaginosis is known to be linked to pregnancy loss, preterm birth, postsurgical infections, pelvic inflammatory disease and sexually transmitted infections."
Warren G. Lewis, PhD, co-corresponding author, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine
Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common vaginal conditions among women of reproductive age. The CDC estimates that in the United States, bacterial vaginosis affects approximately 29% of women between the ages of 14 and 49. While the condition is associated with higher risks of many health complications, it does not always cause noticeable symptoms on its own.
"Even when bacterial vaginosis is identified and treated with antibiotics, recurrences occur in most individuals within a year," said Lewis.
To understand how these bacteria impact vaginal health, the researchers studied the epithelial cells that line the vagina. Because the surface of epithelial cells comes into contact with bacteria and other microbes, it is densely coated with sugar chains, called glycans. Glycans play key roles in cell biology and disease, such as protecting against microbial invasion and helping cells adhere to each other. However, glycans can also be a food source for bacteria.
"We knew that bacterial species implicated in bacterial vaginosis can feed on glycans in secreted mucus. The current study allowed us to look directly at what those bacteria are then doing to the vaginal epithelial surface landscape on a biochemical and microscopic level," said co-corresponding author Amanda Lewis, PhD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
The researchers obtained epithelial cells derived from human vaginal specimens and used them to explore glycan dynamics. With a combination of biochemistry and microscopy techniques, they discovered that in bacterial vaginosis, bacteria release enzymes called sialidases that partially dismantle protective glycan molecules on the surface of epithelial cells. The researchers were also able to induce a bacterial-vaginosis-like state in 'normal' epithelial cells by treating them directly with sialidase enzymes produced in the laboratory.
"The fact that we were able to replicate some of the effects of bacterial vaginosis suggests that we may be on the right track to finding a common cellular origin for the various complications associated with this condition," said Amanda Lewis.
Studying the surface of vaginal epithelial cells at this level of biochemical detail could help make diagnosing bacterial vaginosis easier. The authors suggest differences in glycosylation patterns could also help identify subsets of people with the condition who may be at the greatest risk for negative health outcomes, including recurrence.
"We now have a blueprint of the glycans present on epithelial cells in the vagina, and we showed that these glycans are shaped by the bacteria that live there," said Warren Lewis. "However, it will take more work to fully understand the functions of glycans in the vaginal epithelium and how bacterial vaginosis impacts those functions."
As research on the mechanisms of bacterial vaginosis continue, clinicians urge people with vaginas to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and avoid douching or using scented products, which could result in further microbial imbalances.
Co-authors include: Kavita Agarwal, Biswa Choudhury, Sydney R. Morrill, Daisy Chilin-Fuentes, Sara B. Rosenthal, Kathleen M. Fisch at UC San Diego, Lloyd S. Robinson at University of Washington School of Medicine, Yasmine Bouchibiti and Carlito B. Lebrilla at University of California Davis, Jenifer E. Allsworth at the University of Missouri, and Jeffrey F. Peipert at Indiana University School of Medicine.
This study was funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (grants R01 AI114635, R01 AI127554 and UL1TR001442), the Burrroughs Wellcome Fund Preterm Birth Initiative and the University of California through the UC Glycosciences Consortium for Women's Health.
Source:
Journal reference:
Agarwal, K., et al. (2023) Resident microbes shape the vaginal epithelial glycan landscape. Science Translational Medicine. Doi.Org/10.1126/scitranslmed.Abp9599.
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