In response to obstetrician-gynecologist Himali Maniar Patel, MBBS, DGO, it may be completely regular to have some extent of vaginal odor after your interval ends—and never simply once you’re actively bleeding, when it may appear apparent that issues might scent just a little 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 under). And paradoxically, among the greatest 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, short-term post-period odor.
Why your vagina would possibly scent after your interval
A few totally different causes might be behind vaginal smelliness as soon as your interval subsides. An enormous one: leftover blood. “A typical 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 “This may linger, particularly you probably have brown discharge from leftover or outdated blood and tissue nonetheless making its method out.”
“A typical 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) with the intention to keep a wholesome bacterial stability,” says Dr. Wetter. “Since interval blood has a excessive pH (fundamental pH), this will enable 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 reason behind any form of post-period funk. “This may additionally occur extra so across the time of your interval attributable to hormonal adjustments and elevated moisture close to the realm,” she provides.
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One other stunning wrongdoer: leaving a tampon in for too lengthy or after your interval is finished. (On that notice, right here’s your pleasant reminder to alter 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 stability of your present vaginal flora, which might enhance your danger of an an infection, like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast an infection.
Each of those 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 essential to analyze additional should 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 are you going to tackle a post-period scent?
Any non-infection-related vaginal odor you might discover after your interval will subside by itself with none particular therapy. However should you’re trying to clear it up extra shortly—or stop a post-period scent within the first place—it could be useful to brush up in your vaginal hygiene practices.
Dr. Wetter and Dr. Patel counsel doing the next:
- Bathe day by 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
- Devour probiotics to assist stave off infections (for instance, by consuming gut-healthy yogurts)
When must you see a health care provider for a post-period odor
Dr. Wetter encourages looking for 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 should you expertise pelvic ache. Additionally, should 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 might have an an infection (that will require treatment to resolve), and never only a short-term change attributable to your menses,” she says.
Seeing a doctor may also help 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, short-term, innocuous, and can go away on their very own. And even should you do be taught that your vaginal scent stems from an an infection, the sorts of infections at play listed below are sometimes simply treatable, says Dr. Patel. “With the best therapy and care, you may shortly get again on observe and really feel extra snug in your individual pores and skin.”
