Bad-smelling vaginal discharge is usually a sign of a vaginal infection, which can be caused by bacteria, fungi or parasites, such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis or chlamydia.
In addition to the bad smell of the discharge, which is often compared to the smell of fish, other symptoms may also appear that indicate infection, such as burning, itching, burning when urinating, greenish-yellow discharge or pain during sexual intercourse.
It is recommended to consult a gynecologist to identify the cause of the foul-smelling discharge and begin the most appropriate treatment which, depending on the cause, may include the use of antibiotics.
5 main causes of foul-smelling discharge
The main causes of foul-smelling discharge are:
1. Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection in the vagina normally caused by bacteria of the genus Gardnerella sp., causing the appearance of yellow or grayish vaginal discharge, with a pasty consistency and a strong, unpleasant smell similar to rotten fish.
Furthermore, this type of infection can cause other symptoms such as itching in the external region of the vagina and burning or discomfort when urinating.
What to do: It is important to go to the gynecologist for the most appropriate treatment, which generally includes the use of oral or vaginal antibiotics, such as metronidazole or clindamycin, for example, which must be used for the duration of treatment established by the doctor, as untreated vaginosis may increase your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection or pelvic inflammatory disease. Understand better how bacterial vaginosis is treated.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalisand is characterized by the presence of yellow or greenish-yellow discharge with a strong smell, and may be accompanied by small vaginal bleeding, redness of the genital region and pain or burning when urinating.
What to do: The treatment of trichomoniasis must be guided by a gynecologist, who may recommend the use of antibiotics such as tinidazole or metronidazole for 5 to 7 days. Furthermore, it is important to avoid intimate contact during treatment, and it is recommended that the sexual partner also undergoes treatment even if they do not present symptoms of the disease, to avoid reinfection. Check out the main remedies for trichomoniasis recommended by your doctor.
3. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeaewhich causes the appearance of a yellowish discharge similar to pus, and which can sometimes have a bad smell.
Additionally, pain or burning during urination and urinary incontinence may occur.
What to do: you should go to the gynecologist for evaluation and start the most appropriate treatment, which consists of the use of antibiotics, such as azithromycin or ceftriaxone, for example, for 7 to 10 days. Furthermore, it is important to avoid intimate contact during treatment and the sexual partner should also consult a doctor to start treatment. See other treatment options for gonorrhea.
4. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis which can cause thick, yellowish, odorless discharge. This infection can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain or burning when urinating and bleeding during intimate contact and, when left untreated, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease with foul-smelling discharge. Know how to identify all the symptoms of chlamydia.
What to do: The treatment recommended by the gynecologist must be carried out, which includes the use of antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline, and it is important to avoid intimate contact during treatment. In addition, the partner must also be treated, even if they do not show symptoms of the infection.
5. Forgetting the tampon
Forgetting a tampon or some other object, such as a menstrual cup or condom, for example, for several days, can also be a cause of foul-smelling discharge, generally with a smell similar to rotten, decomposed meat or that of a dead animal.
In addition to the smell, the discharge can also be yellow, green, pink, gray or brown, and can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain and discomfort when urinating, pelvic pain, fever and/or itching.
What to do: It is important to see a gynecologist as soon as possible for an evaluation and, if a tampon or other object is found inside the vagina, the doctor can remove it. If a woman presents symptoms of infection, the doctor can also recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Check out the following video on how to identify what the discharge could be:
Treatment for foul-smelling discharge
Treatment for foul-smelling discharge depends on the cause and severity of the problem, and therefore, you should consult a gynecologist to evaluate the intimate area and begin the most appropriate treatment. Check out the main remedies recommended for each type of vaginal discharge.
Generally, the partner must undergo the same treatment as the woman and intimate contact must be avoided during the infection for it to be completely cured. Check out the main ones
Home remedies for smelly discharge
There are some home treatment options to reduce the discomfort caused by foul-smelling discharge, such as:
1. Sitz bath with guava leaves
Guava leaves have antibiotic properties, making them an important ingredient to help treat vaginal infections.
Ingredients
- 30 g of guava leaves;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Boil 1 liter of water. Turn off the heat and add the guava leaves and close the pan for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the leaves and place the tea in a bowl.
When the temperature is bearable, sit in the basin without clothes to take a sitz bath, carefully washing the entire genital region until the water cools. Repeat the procedure 2 to 3 times a day for 3 days. See other benefits and how to use guava leaves.
2. Ingestion or local use of garlic
Raw garlic is a functional food that has antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as being a source of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants that balance the intestinal flora and strengthen the immune system. That is why it is considered a great natural remedy to help treat bacterial vaginosis.
You can find raw garlic oil capsules in pharmacies or health food stores. The amount and duration of taking the capsules may vary, with an intake of 600 mg per day for 12 weeks before meals being generally recommended. Learn how to use garlic oil capsule.
Another way to use garlic to treat foul-smelling discharge is to insert a clove of garlic into the vagina at bedtime, removing it in the morning, for 7 days in a row, as long as the gynecologist advises you.
3. Sitz bath with barbatimão peels
Barbatimão is a plant that fights inflammation, helps with healing, fights bacteria and can therefore be used to complement the treatment of infections such as gonorrhea and bacterial vaginosis, for example.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of barbatimão peels;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation Mode
Boil 1 liter of water and add the barbatimão peels, letting it boil for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Strain and transfer the mixture to a basin. When it is at a bearable temperature, sit in the basin, carefully washing the entire genital region until the water cools. Take a sitz bath once a day for 3 days.
4. Sitz bath with mastic
Mastic is a plant with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties capable of fighting bacteria and fungi, and the bark of this plant is widely used in teas to help treat infections and vaginal discharge.
Ingredients
- 10 g of mastic bark;
- 1 and a half liters of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water and add the mastic peels. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, strain and place the mixture in a bowl. When the tea is lukewarm, sit in the basin without clothes to take a sitz bath, carefully washing the entire vagina until the water cools. Do this sitz bath 3 times a day for 3 days.
5. Pink pepper sitz bath
Pink pepper is a medicinal plant that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which help fight bacteria and fungi, and the bark of this plant is widely used in the form of tea to help treat vaginal infections and foul-smelling discharge.
Ingredients
- 10 g of pink pepper peel;
- 1 and a half liters of water.
Preparation mode
Boil 1 and a half liters of water and add the pink pepper skins, letting it boil for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, strain and place the mixture in a bowl. When it is warm, at a bearable temperature, sit in the basin, carefully washing the entire genital region until the water cools. Take a sitz bath 3 times a day for 3 days.
How should the diet be
Some dietary changes can help reduce foul-smelling discharge as it helps balance the vaginal bacterial flora. Therefore, it is important to include 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet, as well as probiotics, such as natural yogurt or kefir, as they help balance the pH of the vaginal flora, in addition to strengthening the immune system, accelerating treatment and helping to prevent new infections.
