A foul odor is often said to be an indication of something bad or rotten. Even burned plastic can give off a very unpleasant odor, not to mention smoke that is harmful to the health of both the individual and the environment. Sometimes the smell is an indication of an infection, as in the case of a fishy smell from the vagina. If you have a bad odor in the vaginal area, this is an indication that you might have bacterial vaginosis or a similar infection.
What is the cause?
There is no definite cause that can explain why women are infected with BV, although several experts are investigating some contributing factors. You see, bacterial vaginosis is the result of the disturbed balance of bacteria that normally reside in a woman’s vagina. There is a healthy mix of bacteria that live in the vagina and those bacteria can be grouped into two: the bad and the good. For a healthy balance to occur, most bacteria (which are the good ones) keep an eye on the minor strains of bad bacteria, preventing them from multiplying. This means that the problem begins when bad bacteria take over the vagina.
One of the factors that contribute to this occurrence is sex, but it is not actually the definitive cause, as women who do not even have sex can also become infected with bacterial vaginosis. If you have that fishy smell in your vagina, most of the time, you have bacterial vaginosis in your system. While other women who have the same vaginal infection do not experience any symptoms, there are those who have discharge, pain, itching and burning in addition to the horrible fishy stench.
Which is the treatment?
Treatment for bacterial vaginosis is of course necessary if you have an unpleasant fishy smell from your vagina. Bad odor can affect your self-esteem and perhaps other aspects of your life. There are several treatment options, but the most common are antibiotics prescribed by healthcare professionals. Your doctor may recommend one of these antibiotics: metronidazole, ceftriaxone, and clindamycin. Make sure to use any of those antibiotics properly. Ask your doctor for help if you have any concerns or questions. However, antibiotics are not always the best option, as they do not address the root cause. Many women successfully use natural remedies to combat the fishy smell of the vagina.
What else is the cause?
Other problems can cause a smelly vagina, with rare causes including trichomoniasis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), chlamydial infection, and endometritis that can also cause vaginal odor symptoms. Even certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer and uterine cancer, can cause symptoms, including a fishy smell from the vagina.
