Si glad google search lead me here. You shouldnt douche either, as the process can get rid of healthy vaginal bacteria and lead to infection. So, sometimes itll have a vaguely metallic odor, especially when mixed with sweat or Lochia is the vaginal discharge you have after giving birth. If you've left your tampon, pad, or menstrual cup in for too long, you might notice an overpowering smell of blood. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022. I must have taken out a dry tampon which disintegrated and left some inside.This was indeed the culprit and I am so grateful to all you other posters as I was worried sick! Vaginal odor can change from day to day during the menstrual cycle. Contact your healthcare provider as they may want to check for infection. STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). If you're little squeamish about going in, just put a little oil (preferably coconut oil) on your fingers and you're able to glide the offender right out. Heres what period blood smell can indicate 1. Pain During Sexual Intercourse I cannot believe that all these posts lead me to do the same thing. If you prefer not to take hormones, a healthcare professional can offer more information about other treatment options, including vaginal lubrication. Omg- this post could have saved my life!! What I do, as I can't imagine not using tampons, Is make a mental note, out and in, like I have a mental process of checks and balances to make sure I don't forget! Notice the smell of ammonia around your vagina? This odor is most often attributed to bacterial vaginosis, a type of infection. What does it mean to have a foul smelling period? Straight down the quacks tomorrow to get myself on some antibiotics. When its OK to have sex again, use contraception because you can still become pregnant even if your menstrual period hasnt returned. Uterine cancer or ovarian cancer: Certain cancers can affect a persons menstrual period. While most odors are healthy, some may be signs of an infection. The strong odor is most likely caused by blood and tissues exiting the vagina, along with bacteria. I cannot even believe that something on the Internet was actually true! The market has, in turn, responded by developing menstrual products that focus on convenience. The list of possible vaginal infections is endless, and you may get scared reading about them. Down to the bathroom. Avoid douching and scratching anywhere down there. Use this as a checklist to guard against a smelly period. Odor Squatted bore down and what would you know! People may wish to see a doctor if. This could mean bacteria has gotten into your vagina and caused an infection. We avoid using tertiary references. However, it should not persist much longer after the period ends. Do not use any sprays or scents down there to chase away the foul smell as it would only aggravate it. Here's What Your Vaginal Odor Is Trying to Tell You, 3 Reasons You Might Have Vaginal Discharge After Working Out, What Your Vaginal Discharge Means, According to an Ob-Gyn, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Bacterial Vaginosis CDC Fact Sheet, Women's Medical Associates of Nashville: "The Most Common Vaginal Odors (And Why They Happen)". Read More Ingrown hair on labia: 7 Causes, Symptoms, and 3 TreatmentsContinue, Scab on Nipple can be an alarming sign of some major diseases of the breast. It is hard to imagine people who would be careless about their hygiene for any reason. I have no idea howlong it's been in there, but at least a month. how is thispossible!!??? I had the exact same symptoms as the original poster. I thought it was an infection but after reading the comments I went to the bathroom and sure enough, I found it. Now I can rest easy. This is because your vaginal pH gradually becomes more alkaline and your estrogen levels fluctuate, resulting in heavier and irregular periods that can amplify vaginal odors. I could not stand the smell of myself and could not figure out WTH was wrong with me. Brown discharge, which basically equals bloody discharge, is considered normal if it comes as your period is starting or towards its end. In this article, learn how menstrual cups work and, Spotting before a period is usually harmless, and it may not always have a clear cause. And doubting that my condition was waaaaay more serious than what I was reading I went in, so to speak, to cross this off the list. Well, this is simply because blood has stayed on the pad long enough and the dead blood cells allow bacterial growth. And that is definitely something you never want to happen again. Vaginal odor Causes - Mayo Clinic The odor hadnt got any better, so I was worried I would have to go in and see what else it could be. But between the smell and others not going in all the way should clue us in for next time, god forbid it ever happens again!! Minimal invasion compared to devices or implants that need, Read More Reasons Why You Should Use the Right Birth Control PillsContinue, Looking for the best fat burning pills for women? I would describe the smell as the exact same smell as a dog that has an anal gland issue. This article was medically reviewed by Lauren Demosthenes, MD, OB-GYN, senior medical director at, Cassandra Miasnikov is a writer specializing in positive psychology and women's health. So i threw it away and for my next period i got a new cup. Your email address will not be published. I thought I was losing my mind lol I said how could I forget about a tampon. These products can irritate the vaginal area. I have never noticed much of an odor with my period, up until last month and now today. Hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause. "The period itself is basically endometrial tissue that's built up over the course of the month. I had to comment just to thank everyone who commented before me. What else could it be?? It implies to a malodour of the period blood which is different from the natural smell of the blood. The contents used in these could play havoc with the natural pH balance of your vagina that can bring out a foul smelling period and put you at a higher risk of vaginal infections. Here are the seven most common reasons why your period smells stronger than usual and what to do next. I'm so glad I did a search on this issue. How long does your vagina stink after you take it out? But nope.. it was an old, disgusting, revolting, putrid tampon. So many questions!! The natural odour may not even be strong enough to smell through your clothing unless the body sweats. Its normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. I had weird spotting all in between these two periods of dried blood and I was worried and wondering what was wrong with me but now I know why! Sex during vaginal infection: Is it harmful? Here are 3 things the smell of your period blood is - Healthshots Toglia MR. Rectovaginal and anovaginal fistula. WebBrown or red: Brown or red discharge is usually related to irregular menstruation or pregnancy (implantation bleeding). Some styles can hold several tampon's worth of blood, but yours may need to be changed sooner. Wondering why my doctor didn't consider this as a possibility? We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. Thanks so much, ladies. Just like our bodies have their smell but when mixed with our bodys bacteria it gives the unbearable, strong smell of sweat. Went in bathroom to check and OMG I am disgusted, but YES an old tampon lodged way up there. I was fairly worried because the smell was just foul - and sure enough after reading the posts i marched to the ladies room and could not believe I felt a string up against my GD uterus. Period Blood Doctors do not recommend the use of a douche to clean the vagina. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022. Learn how IUDs can affect your menstrual flow and what you can do about it. "I've seen retained tampons that can cause a really foul smell because someone has forgotten to take them out," Dr. Shirazian says. Accessed Feb. 14, 2022. Blood infection. I think this article might well have saved my life. Smelling Blood Lochia may stain your clothes. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Never for one minute did I think I had a retained tampon and yes I've just found it! Came home tonight and keptnoticing. Stock up on sanitary pads and dont use tampons during this time. It's most frequently diagnosed before menopause, between the ages of 35 and 44. Foul smelling discharge Abnormal bleeding between your periods (lasting three days or more) Unusual spotting (occurring for three or more consecutive cycles) By Lindsay Meisel | Oct 25, 2017 Tags: brown discharge, brown spotting, implantation, implantation bleeding, implantation spotting, menstruation, period, spotting, symptom Thank you!!! Important: Even if you don't have any of these symptoms, getting a Pap smear every three to five years is essential for vaginal health. See additional information. Lochia consists of all the contents in your uterus from nine months of pregnancy. Why Does My Period Smell: Death, Fishy, Rotten, and Unreal! Sweat glands in the genital area can amplify the smell of your vaginal microbiome and your skin's natural scent. It does help to squat! The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. I never check that sort of thing but from now on I will regularly!!! When the normal bacterial balance of the vagina is thrown off, you may develop bacterial vaginosis, or BV. Some women report that their period smells like death, though this isnt necessarily a cause for concern. The presence of blood, semen, or urine in the vagina can affect the pH and cause different odors. The combination of those with blood can give off a distinctive odor," says Dr. Yana Markidan, a gynecologist in private practice. I read the comments about a tampon getting stuck and didn't think it was my issue, but decided to check anyway and sure enough it was there. No doubt about it, your menstrual cycle can cause some pretty unusual smells. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. The use of menstrual cups is also recommended be a few as they last longer than sanitary pads and tampons. Accessed Feb. 10, 2022. Anyway, I was ready to forget about it all since it was gone, but still felt a bit concerned. Symptoms If you are not allergic to dairy products, try including more yoghurt in your diet when you are on your period. [8] You may want to shower more than once on heavier days. Because yoghurt contains certain bacteria that help maintain your vaginas pH level. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. BUT after reading these posts I checked one more time in the way that another poster suggested and there was a large piece of an old tampon stuck in there. How has it not been felt during sex? At no cost, should you leave a tampon inside you? Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If your period blood has an onion-like smell, then it is an indication that your hygiene practices during the menstrual cycle are compromised. You should follow proper cleaning practice i.e. cleaning your vagina from front to back, and please no douching at all, she suggested. Sometimes, unusual smells during a persons period are related to hygiene practices. I thought I would check but not post on here either way, but I checked once, found nothing, and read other answers on here saying to squat and bear down so I checked again and there it was, the most foul smelling and terrifying thing I've ever encountered! Anyone who experiences unusual changes in vaginal discharge, strange odors, or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should speak to a doctor. Just something worth checking. How to treat it: If sweat is to blame, then washing your vulva gently with warm water and mild soap should get rid of the smell. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) can cause side effects. The biggest sign of infection is foul-smelling or greenish-colored vaginal discharge. In that case, make an appointment with your doctor.