Foul vaginal odor is one of the problems that cause more embarrassment and discomfort in women, affecting them not only from a physical point of view but also from a psychological point of view, the consequences of this type of condition can lead to for the woman to refrain from having relationships and for her intimate and partner relationships to be negatively affected.
Given its importance, it is imperative to know the causes of the vagina has a bad smell after having intercourse. In this way, you can quickly start treatment and end these annoying symptoms as soon as possible.
Do you have a foul vaginal odor after having sex? In the following FastlyHealarticle, we will talk about this condition and its possible causes and explain some of the treatments you can carry out.
Table of Contents
The typical smell of the vagina
The vagina has a particular smell. That of each woman may be different. However, if she is healthy, can we speak of a bad smell in any case. Although there are indeed periods in which the scent can become more substantial, for example, during menstruation, a foul odor is always a sign that something is not working quite well in the body.
This is not at all strange. In fact, at some point in their lives, most women have experienced a case of infection. The female genitalia is a delicate area with great sensitivity to the slightest change. Intimate poor hygiene and the use of products too powerful for its flora may be reason enough to make changes in their smell.
The smell of the vagina comes from what the apocrine glands secrete. And when we say that it should not cause a bad smell, we mean that its function is precisely the opposite, sexually attracting a partner.
The problem is that many people do not feel comfortable with that natural smell, so they seek to camouflage it through perfumes, soaps, or deodorants, products that can alter the bacterial flora of the vagina, breaking the microbial balance that should exist. On the other hand, sexual intercourse can also be another reason that causes a bad smell. Does it happen to you too? Here we explain the causes of vaginal odor after sexual intercourse.
The terrible smell when I have sex. Is it normal?
Once intercourse is over, it is typical for creamy, watery, whitish fluids and fluids to come out of the vagina. During sexual activity, many flows, both from men and women, end up in the vagina, so it is entirely logical that they will come out as the minutes go by. However, this does not mean you have to make a bad smell. These liquids should not have any scent if there is a problem involved.
Below we explain a series of symptoms that can be associated with bad smell and that manifest when there are infections or changes in the vagina:
- A lot of flow continuously
- Pain and itching when urinating
- Vaginal itching
- Pain
- The flow becomes lumpy
- The discharge turns yellow, greenish, or gray
- Skin rash
Bad smell in the vagina: trichomoniasis
Some of the possible causes of foul odor after intercourse can be sexually transmitted diseases, and, among these, trichomoniasis is one of the most common. This parasitic disease is curious since although many people are infected – and who can infect other people – only 30% get symptoms. This means that a person may be infecting more people for years before they know it. Among the symptoms it causes in women, in addition to an unpleasant smell and an abnormal discharge, transparent, greenish, yellow, or whitish, we find:
- Inflammation and irritation of the vagina
- Ardor
- Itching
- Redness
- Pain when urinating
The fishy smell after intercourse: vaginosis
Vaginosis is women’s most common vaginal infection, especially between 15 and 50. This infection is bacterial and occurs when, for some reason, the bacteria that maintain balance in the vaginal flora begin to increase excessively.
Among the causes that can cause vaginosis are:
- Long-term use of antibiotics
- Poor hygiene
- Excessive hygiene
- Vaginal showers
- Using too strong soaps, lotions, or perfumes
However, another of the most common vaginosis causes is having sex, significantly if you frequently change partners. When we talk about vaginosis, we refer to the inflammation of the mucosa of the vagina, something that is accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Increased vaginal discharge and discharge
- Leucorrhea
- Vaginal itching
- Pain during intercourse
- Itching when urinating
Finally, vaginosis is characterized by an intense fishy smell, especially after having sex. That is why if you notice these symptoms, you must go to the gynecologist to prescribe an appropriate treatment for your condition.
The vaginal odor from genital yeast
As you can imagine, poor hygiene is another possible cause of genital odor due to the proliferation of bacteria and other microorganisms. Vaginal discharge is the vagina’s natural way to rid itself of dirt and possibly infectious agents. In itself, the flow does not have to smell bad, but if we clean ourselves poorly or with too powerful products, we can end up unbalancing the pH of our vagina, which naturally must be pretty acidic.
When vaginal acidity is altered, it is very likely that pathogenic microorganisms such as vaginal fungi, yeast, or bacteria proliferate, conditions that are manifested through solid odor, something that intensifies after intimate relationships.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it may be the semen that alters the vaginal pH in some cases. That is why it is essential to maintain good hygiene both before and after having sex, especially when the woman has her period.
The foul vaginal odor from bad habits
It is the exact cause as the previous one, that is, pH alterations, but we explain them to you separately to become aware of the importance of your diet in your body and vaginal odor. When we consume some foods that have been treated at the hormonal level or if our diet is rich in highly sugary products, the pH of the vagina can be affected, causing fungal infections to appear and, as a consequence, the vagina to smell bad.
Other possible causes have to do with the fabric or type of clothing you are wearing :
- Using synthetic underwear does not allow the vagina to sweat, causing a foul odor.
- Wear clothing made with materials that are too aggressive.
- Wearing wet underwear favors genital yeast infections.
Foul vaginal odor: treatment
Intimate hygiene is always essential, whether or not you will have intercourse. Still, if sexual contact is also imminent, both you and your partner must clean yourself properly to avoid developing any infection. Similarly, if either of the two suffers or may suffer from a sexually transmitted disease or as long as it is not a stable partner, the man must use a condom.
If, despite all this, you still feel a terrible smell after having sex, we recommend one of these treatments :
- Apple cider vinegar: when you finish the sexual act, soak in a bathtub for 30 minutes. You must have previously added 3 cups of apple cider vinegar to the bathtub.
- Tea tree oil: the soap in this plant product is excellent for cleaning your vagina. You have to dilute five drops of this oil in a glass of water and clean your intimate area well.
Beyond these home remedies to remove vaginal odor, if you suspect that you might have a genital infection, you should go to the gynecologist as soon as possible.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Bad vaginal odor after having sex, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.