how to get rid of period smell after period

Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, menstrual odor can be an especially annoying, as well as potentially embarrassing, issue for lots of people. This is because period blood contains iron. Spray the mixture onto your armpits. Your scent may change as you age or in response to certain stimuli. 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. Get acquainted with your natural smell. The vagina is intensely acidic, naturally killing bad bacteria. Everything You Should Know About pH Balance Pills and the Best Options to Take, What to Expect During Labiaplasty Recovery, Replens Review: Why Users Love These Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubes. Wash thoroughly to remove any fluid. I'm a believer in healthy living. Your own menstrual scent is normal and you shouldn't aim to have a completely scent-free period. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. Blood that takes longer to exit your body becomes darker, often brown. Period blood usually has some odor, but if you notice brown discharge with a strong odor, an STI is the most likely cause. She specializes in womens health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Yoghurt: Eat more quantities of natural yoghurt. 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. You may also experience missed periods followed by brown discharge if youve recently started using a new hormonal birth control. Black, Brown, Bright Red, and More: What Does Each Period Blood Color Mean? You will need to see your doctor for a prescription to treat BV. The smell. Most women have a musky or fleshy natural scent, but this varies from person to person. The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. Itching can also indicate that you may have an infection. What deodorant is best for armpits that smell? Switch to Tampons or a Menstrual Cup Sanitary napkins frequently present a more noticeable smell. In this situation, consider wearing a tampon or menstrual cup, which is inside the body, or change your pad more frequently. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a womans hormone levels. Don't wash the inside of your vagina. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 679,244 times. A normal period consists of blood, menstrual fluid, excess tissue, and an unfertilized egg. Wipe thoroughly or soak your menstrual cup for an hour in a water and clear vinegar mixture (50-50 is a good ratio). For more information about your period from our gynecologist co-author like recognizing your bodys signals, scroll down. Just because youre on your period doesnt mean you have to be uncomfortable or worry about unpleasant odors, as there are a few simple things you can do to keep yourself feeling fresh. Throughout your menstrual cycle, the color and consistency of blood can change. Brown discharge after your period usually isnt a cause for concern as its nothing more than old, dried blood. You might be able to control such odors by changing pads and tampons frequently, especially during heavy-flow days. There are several home remedies available to get rid of the vaginal discharge and odor. Once the infection goes away, the odor goes away as well. Eating too much sugar can also lead to an overproduction of yeast. You might want to consider seeing a doctor to get checked for a vaginal infection, especially if the odor persists after your period ends. Smelly, brown discharge: If you experience smelly, brown discharge after menses, then it is quite possible that it is caused by some bacteria. 5. I have vaginal odor, I have been to the doctor to get it. Be sure to discard it in the trash can, as they are not made to flush and can clog sewer lines. Irregular menstrual bleeding and brown discharge as your body adjusts to the hormone are common side effects. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Wash thoroughly to remove any fluid. Wash only the vulva area, which is the outer part of your vagina. This scent is usually mild enough that others can't smell it through your clothes, but you'll be able to smell it when you use the bathroom or change your clothes. Smelly greenish discharge: If you have strong smelly greenish discharge after periods then it is possible that you are suffering from trichomoniasis caused by infection with Trichomonas vaginalis. 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. Your doctor can also identify or rule out more serious conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. Brown discharge after a period is usually old or dried blood that was slow to leave your uterus. You may see red, brown, and even black blood during your period. Use menstrual cups instead of pads and tampons to avoid the odour of your period. If you wear tampons and notice a strong odor, you may wish to check for a retained tampon. The more blood that collects in one place and comes into contact with air, the stronger your odor will be. Learn about orange vaginal discharge. It's sort of going to ruin my plans for the weekend, it's embarrassing too. Sometimes there aren't enough showers or fresh undies in the world to fix that post-period funk. This occurs when you forget to remove your tampon, and the old tampon is still in your body. Take particular care with what you wear to bed. Healthy periods can have a slight smell of blood. It will help reduce the odor and bacteria for a long duration. Boil 1 liter of water and add the Stryphnodendron bark. Its normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. Another reason for smelly discharge after period could be a forgotten tampon. Check a doctor before using a menstrual cup if you have an IUD, as it can move the strings out of place. Committee on Adolescent Health Care, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. In such cases, you should get yourself examined by a gynecologist and take the required medicine. Summary. Maintain a healthy weight . If the smell is very strong, fishy, foul, or is otherwise abnormal for you, and you have been washing daily, there is probably an underlying cause. Read on to learn about proper hygiene during your period to avoid feeling self-conscious. By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid420572-v4-728px-Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"