In women, menstruation is accompanied by the release of blood from the body. And there is nothing surprising in the fact that a woman has periods that emit a smell. However, it happens that such a smell is not only specific, but also smelly. How should menstruation normally smell? In this article, we will take a closer look at why stinky periods occur, as well as what they should be.
Smell during menstruation: deviations and norms
During menstruation, the inner layer of the uterus, that is, the endometrium, separates. This whole process is also accompanied by the release of blood from the body. The amount of blood can be large, but in some cases the discharge is quite meager. Normally, the fluid that is released from the vagina during menstruation should smell like meat or iron. The blood contains a huge amount of vital trace elements, in particular, iron. This is where the specific smell comes from. As you know, raw meat also smells like iron. That is why the smells are comparable. As a rule, only a woman feels smelly periods when changing a tampon or pad.
If a lady does not follow the rules for using pads, then harmful microorganisms begin to multiply in them very quickly. When their number becomes large, the usual smell of menstruation becomes very unpleasant. If the pad is not changed for more than 5 hours, smelly periods are felt, there is a smell of rot. Discharge begins to accumulate on the surface of the skin of the external organs.
What to do about bad smell during your period?
To prevent unpleasant odor during menstruation, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene. In addition, so that smelly discharge after menstruation never bothers you, you should wash yourself at least 2 times a day. If possible, during menstruation, these procedures should be carried out more often. Gaskets should be replaced with clean ones as they are filled. However, the interval between their replacement should not be more than 4 hours. It should be noted that in modern hygiene products there is a special flavored gel that muffles the natural smell of secretions during menstruation when absorbed.
So, we figured out why there are smelly periods, accompanied by the smell of iron. However, if the smell is not like the usual one, then it is customary to talk about some kind of deviation. In some cases, the cause of smelly periods lies in the development of somedisease or pathological process in the female body. This is what the following sections will be about.
The appearance of an unpleasant smell of monthly discharge
Very often, along with the smell of menstruation, the general condition of the genitourinary system begins to change, as well as the color of the discharge and their consistency. Sometimes there is a smelly discharge before menstruation. The microflora of the vagina changes, pain is formed. By the nature of smelly discharge after menstruation, as well as before them, experts judge the development of any disease in the female body. But what kind of ailment can provoke such a phenomenon?
Inflammation
We continue to consider why a woman can have smelly periods. Most often there is an inflammatory process of the vaginal mucosa. Various colpitis are provoked by bacteria, pathogens, fungi. The inflammatory process is facilitated by the prolapse of the walls of the vagina, operations, injuries, non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, latent infections, as well as the age of a woman after 40 years.
In fact, there are many different causes of the inflammatory process. This should include inflammation in those organs that are located next to the genitals. For example, this kind of process can develop in the bladder, intestines, kidneys. The mucus that is secreted by the cervix begins to irritate the walls of the vagina. As a result of such prolonged exposure, an infection develops that provokes inflammation of the female organ. Before menstruation, the woman's body is rebuilt, which causes a decreaseprotective function of the body. During menstruation, the negative effect on the mucous membrane of the walls of the vagina is also supplemented by the release of blood. Pathogenic bacteria actively multiply, so there are very smelly periods with the smell of rot.
In parallel with this, the state of the female genital organs is changing. There is swelling, redness. In addition, the woman begins to be disturbed by pain, as well as changes in the shade of the discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis
In the female body in he althy patients there is a whole set of bacteria that are in balance. Violations of this balance can provoke the formation of bacterial vaginosis. The main causes of this disease are a violation of the hormonal background, as well as a decrease in immune defense. The provoking factors in this case are drugs, nervous stress, hypothermia and much more.
Capable of provoking an imbalance of microorganisms inside the vagina and excessive craving for hygiene. If a woman often douches, this will cause the protective layer on the walls of the vagina to be washed off. The number of lactobacilli in this case is greatly reduced, which is why other bacteria are rapidly increasing their numbers.
The use of intimate cosmetics can also affect the condition of the female genital organ in exactly the same way. Gardnerella bacteria begin active reproduction during menstruation. An unpleasant smell is formed, somewhat reminiscent of rotten fish. Parallel tothis smell changes the color and consistency of menstruation. A whitish color is found in them, and then the liquid becomes greenish or yellowish with impurities. In parallel with this, there is a burning sensation in the genitals, discomfort in the vagina, as well as pain during intercourse.
The presence of bacteria in intestinal dysbiosis is sometimes also the cause of bacterial vaginosis.
Thrush or candidiasis
Candidiasis is the most common gynecological disease at present. This is due to the fact that there are a huge number of predisposing factors that provoke the development of the disease. The true cause of thrush is the growth of bacteria belonging to the genus candida. This process is facilitated by a weakened immune system, latent infections, hormonal imbalance. In addition, the cause of thrush may lie in hypothermia, nervous tension, hygiene products, medicines, contraceptives and much more. Under the influence of harmful bacteria, the amount of beneficial milk decreases, which causes an unpleasant odor resembling sour milk. This smell intensifies during menstruation, as the blood will contribute to the reproduction of harmful microorganisms. Along with the unpleasant smell of menstruation, the following symptoms appear:
- burning and itching of the genitals;
- appearance of cheesy white discharge between periods;
- pain at the end of urination;
- discomfort during intercourse;
- white plaque,formed on the walls of the vagina and on the external genitalia.
STD (sexually transmitted) infection
This disease is sexually transmitted. Sometimes this disease can be infected if you use the hygiene items of a sick person. The main symptoms of infections are yellow or green frothy discharge between periods. All other signs are similar to those of any other gynecological disease.
It also increases the unpleasant odor during menstruation. The liquid can give rot, fish. Everything will depend on the pathological microorganisms that prevail in the vagina. In addition, before menstruation, a woman has other symptoms, for example, the appearance of weakness, fever, nausea, pain in the lumbar region, as well as in the lower abdomen. After critical days, a large amount of discharge also remains. They often frighten women with a terrible smell and a yellowish or greenish tint. It is strongly felt in the evening or in the morning.
The presence of soreness and frequent urination indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process. If appropriate treatment is not prescribed in time, the disease can become chronic or latent. Mild signs in women appear periodically. In this case, the cycle is broken, during menstruation there is a large amount of bloody discharge.
How to overcome bad smell?
If, in addition tounpleasant odor, the woman is no longer bothered by anything, then her attitude to hygiene should be reconsidered. Washing during menstruation is recommended to be done with clean warm water without adding any cosmetics. In order to reduce the number of pathogens, it is allowed to add a small amount of potassium permanganate to the water. Washing is carried out necessarily in the morning and in the evening. If there is heavy bleeding, then the procedures are carried out 4 times a day, if possible.
Gaskets should be changed as often as possible. Do not use personal care products with more absorbency than necessary. Also note that they should not be left for more than 5 hours. As for tampons, they should be changed every 2-3 hours. Do not use a large amount of intimate cosmetics during menstruation.
Diagnosis
First of all, the doctor must conduct an oral survey, clarify the complaints and symptoms that bother the woman. Then a palpation and visual examination of the internal and external genital organs is done. Through a mirror, a specialist examines the vagina, cervix, if necessary, an examination is carried out using an optical device. Then a smear is taken on the flora, with the help of which the presence of mucus or purulent contents is determined. A swab is also taken for bacteria and fungi. If necessary, an ultrasound is prescribed.
When to see a doctor?
If there are additional symptoms in the form of pain, discomfort, then you should seek medical advice.consultation with a gynecologist. If there is a smell of fermented milk products, then this indicates the development of thrush. However, you should not start self-treatment. Only after professional diagnosis and research is the exact cause of the appearance of an unpleasant odor determined. Then the specialist will prescribe the appropriate therapy.
Conclusion
It is worth adding that the unpleasant smell of rot in women during the inflammatory process can also be accompanied by strong menstruation. In this case, a large amount of discharge will also be present in the interval between menstruation. Signs may be mild, and the main cause of discomfort should be determined by the doctor after an examination and laboratory tests. In no case should you start self-treatment of the inflammatory process.
