When could brown discharge be the sign of a problem? Any odors you might notice during your period can also fluctuate. About half of the entire world's population has, used to have, or will have periods during their lives. Brown discharge after your period usually isnt a cause for concern as its nothing more than old, dried blood. How to Prevent Vaginal Odor after Period Maintain personal hygiene by bathing regularly and trimming pubic hairs. Avoid Douching. The Best Period Underwear Options for Any Situation, COVID-19 Vaccine May Cause Temporary, Minor Disruptions in Menstrual Cycle. Change your pad often. Use menstrual cups instead of pads and tampons to avoid the odour of your period. Get tested for vaginal infections if your odor persists or is very strong. A Period That Lasts 1 or 2 Days: What Could Cause This? DOI: What can cause brown discharge after a period? Just urinate to clear foreign substances. Apr 1, 2019. Period blood has a high pH, which can tip the balance and allow bad bacteria to move in, pushing out the kind you want, Streicher says. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Its normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. Moreover, if this smelly discharge is associated with a sensation of burning in the vagina, then it could be due to Chlamydia infection. Learn how IUDs can affect your menstrual flow and what you can do about it. I have vaginal odor, I have been to the doctor to get it checked out. Lifestyle factors. There really are not any other home remedies to try. On light days, don't go more than three to four hours without changing it during the day. Some people cant smell their periods at all. Heavy flows and cramps can be a common experience during your periods. Heres a look at what it could mean: If you experience brown discharge and cramps after your period, it could be caused by PCOS or early pregnancy. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy: Bacterial vaginosis: an update on diagnosis and treatment., Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners: Factors influencing womens decisions to self-treat vaginal symptoms., Mayo Clinic: Vaginal odor: When to see a doctor., Mayo Clinic: You dont need fancy products for good feminine hygiene., Office on Womens Health: Douching.. It results from the overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria. All texts are contributed by our excellent writers. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. (2017). 6. % of people told us that this article helped them. The citric acid in lemon juice kills bacteria. Cleaning your vagina with warm water is sufficient. This can be as simple as making sure you change tampons, liners, or pads every few hours. Switch to Tampons or a Menstrual Cup Sanitary napkins frequently present a more noticeable smell. Stainless steel soap or even just rubbing your hands on stainless steel can help a lot, I've found. ". The brown color is the result of oxidation, which is a normal process. The 10 Best Cooling Weighted Blankets, FTW! Wash thoroughly to remove any fluid. Perimenopause is when your body begins to make the natural transition to menopause. If you experience spotting instead of your normal period, it could be due to a number of different things. Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. "Helped a lot, because it tells me how to keep myself fresh while I'm on my period, and that's really helpful, "I make sure I take a shower daily and change my tampons to stay fresh and clean. Hence, prompt medical attention and treatment is important. Dry your clothes in the sun: Dry your clothes in the sun as the sun's UV rays can kill bacteria and freshen up your clothes, which can help to reduce vaginal odors. Here are some ideas on how you can keep these smells at bay during that time of the month: Invest in period panties with antibacterial properties Change your period panties every few hours Wash your period panties thoroughly and regularly Rinse off your vulva daily with water and a hypoallergenic soap ", How to Stay Clean and Smelling Fresh on Your Period, http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/tampons-pads-or-menstrual-cups-whats-right-you, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20021326, http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/douching.html, http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a39728/13-times-you-should-never-wear-a-thong/, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20035345, http://www.obgyn.net/sexual-health/first-menstruation-average-age-and-physical-signs, http://www.emedicinehealth.com/menopause/article_em.htm, Whrend deiner Periode sauber bleiben und gut riechen, rester propre et sentir bon pendant ses rgles, Menjaga Kebersihan dan Aroma Segar Tubuh Saat Datang Bulan, Je fris blijven voelen als je ongesteld bent, , Never wear a tampon longer than eight hours or wear one that is more absorbent than you need, as this can lead to a rare but serious condition called. Blood that's sticky or clotting together is normal during this. Boil 1 liter of water and add the Stryphnodendron bark. If blood gets on your clothing or sheets, rinse with cold water as soon as possible and then rub with a laundry pre-treatment product such as Spray n Wash or Shout. While most people can use a regular deodorant during their period, others find that it is not sufficient. Lemon juice: Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. There could be other complications present if the discharge is present even after one or more weeks after your periods. Try switching to a menstrual cup or tampon during your period, but be sure to change them frequently. It doesn't smell the greatest, and it's stressing me out. Thongs and lace are not the best clothing choices for good feminine hygiene. Vagina Quiz: What Do You Know About Down Below. All rights reserved. They sell it in small soap shaped pieces (though I just use my sink), was thinking maybe something like that could fit in your . This article was co-authored by Carrie Noriega, MD. These are most likely caused by not practicing good hygiene during the menstrual cycle. womenshealth.gov. It is impossible for a tampon to get "lost" in your body, so if it's still in there, you should be able to. Please Log In or add your name and email to post the comment. Find out what could be causing it and how to prevent it in the future. There could be something else going on. Dont wear tight pants or tight underwear. This website helped me numerous, "This has helped me a lot! ", "The part about avoiding scented products helped. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Geographical prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome as determined by region and race/ethnicity. Its normal for menstrual periods to have a slight odor. The vagina's acidic environment and the presence of different types of healthful bacteria may. Are Kourt's Lemme Gummies Doing What They Claim? This odor is most often attributed to bacterial vaginosis, a type of infection. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005. A period that lasts one or two days could be a sign of pregnancy, but there are many other reasons for a one- or two-day period. Good hygiene practices can also combat normal period odors and make you more comfortable during menstruation. You may have bacterial vaginosis if the fishy smell is accompanied by: Bacterial vaginosis may be noticeable during your period, but its not caused by your menstrual cycle. See additional information. During your heavy days, you may need to change it every hour or two. If you are really worried, or have been experiencing PMS, bring pads or tampons and extra underwear to school. Overwhelmed by the ever-growing world of period underwear? She's also written extensively on gardening and cooking. Here's what the different period blood colors mean and when to see your doctor. You may not believe this but this is quite common in a large number of females. Its also a lot stronger than a normal period smell. Gray/off-white creamy discharge that smells fishy: If the smelly discharge after period is off-white or gray in color, is creamy and smells fishy, then it could be from bacterial vaginosis. Deodorizing products, such as wipes and sprays, arent recommended because of the possibility of irritation. The smell is usually caused by old blood, which has a bad, zoo-like scent when it oxidizes, Dr. Shepherd says. You may also have cycles without ovulation. Blood has a normal, slightly metallic smell to it. This will also reduce the sweat in the area, which can increase the menstrual odor. Instead of using perfume to mask the smell (guilty), Streicher tells her patients to try .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}RepHresh's Odor Eliminating Gel after their period, which helps the good bacteria flourish. If there are any fishy or foul-smelling odors associated with your period, seek medical advice. Sometimes it can also be a sign of pregnancy. Often, vaginal odor doesnt come from the vagina at all. A strong odor from down there may be cause for worry, as it could be a sign of an infection. How to treat it: Practicing good vaginal and vulvar hygiene will help keep your vaginal microbiome healthy and help reduce intense smells during your period. Use a menstrual cup instead of tampons; as your vagina changes pH during your period, the old pH discharge will be emptied out every time, rather than letting it sit against your vaginal walls soaked into a tampon. I wash them on the normal cycle with the prewash option on. By choosing the right menstrual products for your body, maintaining proper hygiene, and preparing for your period, you can decrease the overall menstrual odor. Daily showers are also important, and you can help prevent period odors by cleaning the outside of your vagina only. They may even have a slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria. Its completely normal for this combination to have a slight odor after it exits the vagina. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. pH balance pills and probiotics may help balance your vagina's natural pH level. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005. The doctor just told me to eat yogurt and wash with read more. Look for cleansing products that have a similar PH balance. If not removed, bad bacteria can move up to bladder leading to infections. If you experience any of the following, schedule an appointment with a doctor: In addition, if you smell a strong, fishy odor, you may have bacterial vaginosis (vaginal infection) or trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite). But if you start noticing anything out of the ordinary, you may want to get it checked out. Purchase breathable cotton underwear here. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. This can be especially problematic if you tend to wear disposable pads, which trap bacteria, blood, and sweat between the layers of plastic. Infections in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. It releases progestin hormone into the body to prevent pregnancy. Consider wearing no underwear or basic cotton.Avoid tight underwear, pantyhose, and girdles. Instead of using perfume to mask. Add a cup of ACV to your water bath and sit in it for around 20 minutes. If you notice an abrupt change in your menstrual cycle, you may need to see a doctor. Keep moving; love yourself and others; be appreciative of what life has to offer. Typically, you should seek medical attention for vaginal odor if it is fishy or different from normal. Last medically reviewed on June 13, 2018. STD Facts - Trichomoniasis. It can be thin and watery one day, and thick and clumpy the next. Thanks. See a doctor if youre worried about your discharge or have a lot of it. A Jill-of-all-trades, Lillian Downey is a certified Responsible Sexuality Educator, certified clinical phlebotomist and a certified non-profit administrator. PCOS and perimenopause are common causes. Here are our top picks. You may see red, brown, and even black blood during your period. A menstrual period consists of the shedding of an unfertilized egg, blood, and uterine lining tissues. It will help reduce the odor and bacteria for a long duration. Cotton is a natural fiber that allows air to circulate properly, which can help prevent sweating and smells. Allow this to boil for 10 minutes and turn off the stove. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Unlike other common odors, fishiness usually indicates a medical problem that you need to see a doctor for. Most people begin their period around age 12. Take a bath or shower, even if you've already bathed that day. If you experience frequent infections, you might want to talk to your doctor about probiotics or other options., Douching refers to washing out the vagina with water or other fluids. Note, there is a vaginal scent that is normal, and does not require medical attention. Take a bath or shower, even if you've already bathed that day. There are several home remedies available to get rid of the vaginal discharge and odor. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1864780-v4-728px-Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"