Bad breath before menstruation: causes, treatment

Can periods smell bad?

First, let's figure out what critical days are. From a biological point of view, menstruation is a process in which the inner layer of the uterus detaches. Due to the lack of fertilization, the body prepares for a new cycle. In order for this to happen as efficiently as possible, and for new endometrial cells to appear in place of the old endometrial cells, the level of estrogen in the blood increases. As you may have guessed, this whole procedure is accompanied by bleeding.

Critical days are a natural process that indicates the body’s readiness for procreation. But still, this is a special period. That is why it is worth listening to all the changes that occur during menstruation.

In addition to the traditional changes in mood, nagging pain, and a decrease in general tone, you may notice a specific smell during menstruation. This is also a completely normal event. All body secretions have one or another aroma. The perception of the smell from discharge before menstruation is entirely subjective, but sometimes an additional, not always pleasant, metallic aroma actually appears. Why do menstruation smell like iron? This is because it is a normal blood smell. Some compare it to the aroma of raw meat steaks. However, if the aroma is very intense, there is a possibility that this is not a completely natural reaction.

There are other options. Often, these “extra scents” literally tell you what’s wrong with your body. Especially if it's an unpleasant smell during your period that you don't know the cause of, or any additional scents after your period.

Why do periods smell?

When menstruation begins, the functional uterine layer is shed. Many women note that there is an unpleasant odor during menstruation. If the discharge smells like raw meat or iron, then this is considered normal. But only the woman herself should feel the aroma when going to the toilet or changing hygiene products. If the smell is so strong that others perceive the stench, a consultation with a gynecologist is required.

If the smell appears from hygiene products that have not been changed for more than 4-5 hours, then this is considered normal. Pathogenic microorganisms multiply rapidly in menstrual discharge, which give a putrefactive aroma.

Unpleasant odor before menstruation

Before the onset of the next menstruation, the amount of discharge is significantly reduced. If there are no health problems, there should not be any foreign odors. If there is a not very pleasant smell from the vagina before menstruation, then you need to get checked by a gynecologist.

Women who have:

• inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs;
• thrush;
• infections that can be transmitted sexually;
• hormonal disorders, including those caused by obesity.

The cause of a sour smell before menstruation may be vaginal candidiasis or ignorance of hygiene rules.

Comment! For some, the unpleasant odor is caused by urinary incontinence. It can be released in small portions when coughing, laughing, or intense physical activity.

Unpleasant odor during menstruation

If your menstrual flow smells like “rotten meat” or spoiled fish, then after it ends you should go to the gynecologist. The main cause of unpleasant odor during menstruation is vaginal dysbiosis. This diagnosis is made in cases where opportunistic organisms begin to actively multiply in the vagina. At the same time, it smells unpleasant on other days of the cycle, but during menstruation the situation worsens.

The causes of unpleasant odor during menstruation include the following diseases:

• failure to comply with hygiene rules;
• genitourinary infections, sexually transmitted infections;
• endometritis;
• endometriosis;
• cervicitis;
• uterine cancer;
• inflammatory diseases.

A sour aroma may appear due to the active proliferation of Candida yeast. In this case, the woman may feel a burning sensation, itching in the vagina. After the end of menstruation, heavy, curd-like discharge, colored white, may begin.

Why is there an unpleasant smell after menstruation?

After the end of menstruation, if pathogenic microorganisms multiply excessively in the genital tract, discharge with an unpleasant aroma may appear. If a smell appears after menstruation, it is necessary to establish the causes and select treatment.

Immediate consultation with a gynecologist is required if the unpleasant odor is combined with the appearance of yellow, green or cheesy discharge. This indicates infection with infections that can be sexually transmitted.

Where do unpleasant odors come from before and during menstruation?

It is clear why menstrual discharge smells, but what to do if there is an unpleasant odor after menstruation and the reasons for this are completely unclear?

Gynecologists say that there are several possible disorders that such a scent can be associated with.

Thrush

Thrush (also known as candidiasis) is one of the most common diseases in gynecology. In fact, it is a specific infection of the vaginal mucosa caused by a fungus. How to determine that it is she? White discharge (between periods) indicates the growth of the fungus Candida - hence the name. There are also white lumps on the genitals, and there is an unpleasant burning sensation when urinating and during sexual intercourse. You can also notice a sour smell after menstrual periods. The causes of the disease are very diverse. This includes stress, hormonal imbalance, and even contraception and medications.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacteria are an important part of the microflora of the genital organs. If an imbalance of essential bacteria is created in the vagina, the result is a burning sensation. The consistency and color of the discharge changes, sometimes yellow or green impurities are added to it. The smell from the discharge, closer to its end, also changes - it takes on the hue of rotten fish.

Inflammation of the mucous membrane

Surgeries (the birth of a child is also included in this list), prolapse of the uterine walls, traumatic injuries (often occur due to excessive zeal in studying the assortment of sex shops) provoke the inflammatory process. Most often it affects women after forty. Itching, severe pain in the vagina and lower abdomen, swelling of the vagina and an unpleasant characteristic smell reminiscent of rot appear.

Venereal diseases

Unprotected sex can cause a wide variety of STDs. If the smell from the discharge seems unpleasant and too distinct to you, pay attention to the discharge during the period between critical days. They become yellowish or greenish in color. During menstruation, the temperature rises. Remember that these symptoms are caused by your carelessness.

Diseases of other organs

Intestinal dysbiosis, problems with the stomach, as well as the circulatory system, can affect the functioning of the reproductive system. And they can also cause not the most pleasant aromas after menstruation.

It is also important to pay attention to what exactly your period smells like. This will help with diagnostics.

Fragrance is a very subjective thing and everyone perceives it differently. But there are some more or less characteristic features of smells. If your period smells like rotten meat, the reason may be dysbiosis. Although this cannot be confirmed without a proper medical examination. But caution never hurts. Pay close attention to the discharge when:

• menstruation smells sour;
• menstruation with a strong smell of rot and rotten meat;
• you think your period smells like fish.

There are also more prosaic reasons for this manifestation. Vaginal odor after menstruation can arise from a simple lack of proper hygiene (both vaginal and external). Menstruation stinks when it ends with sour milk or rotting, when healthy microflora is clogged with waste products. If you don't pay enough attention to this issue, then there is nothing strange about additional scents. But such neglect can lead to extremely negative consequences - from simple discomfort to infections.

Unpleasant smell before menstruation in an intimate place: the main reasons

Each woman’s intimate area has its own individual smell, which is determined by the composition of the vaginal microflora. It is considered normal that one woman has a strong odor, while another has a barely noticeable odor. But if there are sudden changes and the woman herself feels a strong stench, she should immediately consult a doctor.

The most common reasons why an unpleasant smell in the intimate area may appear when menstruation has not yet begun include the following:

• insufficient hygiene of the intimate area. If a woman does not carry out mandatory hygiene procedures and does not change her underwear every day, it is not surprising that an unpleasant odor will appear in the genital area;
• vaginal dysbiosis (gardnerellosis). The disease is caused by gardnerella bacteria, which begin to multiply uncontrollably and very actively if certain conditions are created in the vaginal microflora. Vaginal discharge with this disease may smell strongly of fish;
• thrush (candidiasis). Fungi of the genus Candida are present in the normal microflora of the female vagina, but, under the influence of certain factors, they begin to actively multiply. Thrush manifests itself as a cheesy discharge with a characteristic sour odor, which is not very pleasant;
• inflammatory process on the vaginal mucosa. It can develop due to opportunistic vaginal microflora or infectious diseases. Symptoms: discharge with a stench;
• diseases transmitted during sexual intercourse. Most diseases in this category are manifested by a change in the nature of vaginal discharge, in particular, an unpleasant odor appears.

Vaginal stench before menstruation is only a signal of some kind of disturbance in female sexual health. And the reasons for its appearance do not always depend on the woman herself, her cleanliness.

How to deal with unpleasant odor during menstruation

Pay attention to hygiene. The genitals, even more than some other parts of the body, deserve attention in this matter. There are several rules that every woman must adhere to during this period:

1. Regular change of hygiene products. Tampons must be changed every 4 hours. You can use pads a little less often - once every 5-6 hours. Regardless of the amount of discharge, you should not use more “capacious” versions of hygiene products in the expectation that they will last for a longer period of use, so as not to compromise the immune system and not disrupt the menstrual cycle.
2. You need to wash yourself (more often than you usually do). Preferably after each change of hygiene products. If you don’t have the opportunity to look into the shower after each such event, take wet baby wipes with you (alcohol-free!).
3. Use special products designed for intimate hygiene. Cosmetic soap is too aggressive for such a delicate area. It can also seriously damage the microflora. Choose special gels for intimate hygiene; try several brands to find the one that suits you and doesn’t cause any side effects. It’s good if these products are as natural as possible without fragrances and dyes (the same applies to pads with tampons - “clogging up” the smell with the help of scented products is the wrong decision).
4. Shower only. Baths, saunas are contraindicated during menstruation. And this is connected not so much with hygiene, but with blood clotting, the body’s temperature balance and pressure changes.
5. Avoid the “wrong” underwear. Prefer options made from natural materials - cotton - and do not forget to change them as necessary (every evening and when wet). Carry spare panties in your purse.

Solving a smelly problem can take a long time. You need to be prepared for this. To avoid the stench, you should give up active sex life for a while and purchase cosmetics for intimate hygiene.

Why can the smell be bad?

A woman who closely monitors her health will definitely pay attention to yellow discharge before her period.
What does this phenomenon mean and should I worry? Even if a woman is not bothered by any other symptoms, gynecologists still recommend coming for a preventive examination.

This will either exclude or confirm the presence of infection in order to begin timely treatment.

To begin with, a woman should evaluate her discharge at home. Clear, odorless traces of mucus are considered normal.

In moderate quantities, they appear on different days of the menstrual period and do not cause the woman any discomfort or unpleasant sensations.

Diagnostic methods

It is a mistake to consider the appearance of stench from the intimate area before the onset of menstruation as a cosmetic problem, and also that folk recipes or advertised medications and cosmetics will help to cope with it.

As already mentioned, an unpleasant odor is only a symptom, and its cause lies much deeper.

It will not be possible to independently determine the reasons why discharge may appear that smells bad, especially if you previously had a menstrual cycle without it. That’s why it’s so important to visit a gynecologist without being ashamed of your condition.

The examination includes the following stages:

• anamnesis collection. A conversation with a doctor makes it possible to determine possible risk factors, past illnesses, and lifestyle. It is very important that the woman tells the doctor as honestly and frankly as possible about all the symptoms that bother her;
• examination on a gynecological chair. The doctor will be able to visually assess the condition of the mucous membrane of the vagina and part of the cervical canal, palpate the uterus and appendages;
• taking a smear on the flora, which makes it possible to determine the number of epithelial cells and leukocytes, the acidity of the vaginal microflora. If there are deviations from the norm, this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process;
• Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. This diagnostic method makes it possible to assess the condition of the reproductive organ, cervical canal, appendages, lymph nodes;
• tests for sexually transmitted infections.

Often women believe that they can get tested and then independently determine their condition, after which they choose their own medications, relying on the experience of friends and relatives. But this is absolutely impossible to do, because often diseases of the genital area have similar symptoms, and such self-medication can only aggravate the situation, for example, the disease will become chronic or spread to other organs.

In addition, in most cases, the gynecologist can make a diagnosis after an examination in the chair and prescribe the correct treatment, accordingly, the risk of complications is minimized. And the sooner this is done, the better.

Causes and treatment of yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor before menstruation

Yellow discharge before menstruation does not always signal the appearance of abnormalities in a woman’s health.

A thorough examination and laboratory tests can determine the cause of the discharge.

Only a microscopic examination can confirm the presence of an inflammatory process, which will be the reason for treatment.

Discharge in women caused by an inflammatory process does not always have a yellow tint: they are yellow after unprotected sexual intercourse, during which ejaculation occurred in the vagina. If they formed soon after this process, the woman should not worry, because there is no threat of pathology. The discharge should soon turn white.

Pregnant women experience hormonal changes. For this reason, the released composition becomes yellowish in color. The body reacts to the work of sex hormones, whose abundant quantities contribute to the normal course of pregnancy. This ensures the protective effect of progesterone.

During pregnancy, women are most susceptible to developing infectious complications. Because of this, more attention must be paid to the color, smell and other characteristics of the discharge.

Each woman is able to independently determine changes in her body.

As the inflammatory process develops, a number of uncomfortable sensations arise: itching, a specific unpleasant odor, burning sensation, pain.

Often yellow secreted masses signal the progressive growth of bacterial flora. Based on the results of the bacteriological examination, the doctor assesses the level of severity of the abnormalities. This affects the duration and nature of the therapeutic effect on the body.

Elimination methods

A woman can get rid of unpleasant odor from the vagina only after eliminating the cause that caused it. After diagnosing and determining the factors that caused the stench, the doctor will select a treatment regimen.

Thus, for gardnerellosis, complex therapy is required, which includes antibiotics, topical agents to normalize the microflora and agents to strengthen the immune system.

Treatment of candidiasis includes systemic and local antifungal drugs, agents for restoring vaginal microflora and strengthening the immune system.

Inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system in women, in particular diseases such as colpitis, salpingitis, adnexitis, are treated with drugs whose action is aimed at destroying the microorganisms that caused them. The treatment regimen will depend on the type of disease and stage of neglect.

When choosing a treatment regimen for genitourinary infections, a comprehensive diagnosis is important. It is very important that sexually transmitted diseases are accurately identified. Only in this case will the treatment be effective. Therapy includes antiviral drugs and antibiotics.

It must be emphasized that treatment aimed at eliminating the causes of unpleasant odor and other unpleasant symptoms is selected individually in each individual case, so self-medication is unacceptable.

Uterine cancer

A rotten smell after menstruation can be a sign of cancer. The tumor can affect the endometrium or cervix. The clinical picture includes pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, impaired defecation and urination, prolonged menstruation and intermenstrual bleeding. The discharge may have impurities in the form of leucorrhoea and pus or take on the appearance of meat slop. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the pathology. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal treatment and surgery are used.

An unpleasant odor after menstruation should not be a cause for concern if it lasts for a couple of days and is not accompanied by accompanying symptoms. In other cases, it is necessary to take microflora tests and be examined by a gynecologist.

Reason for the smell

Menstrual discharge is a mixture of blood, mucus, and lumps of the inner layer of the uterus. Menstrual blood has a light, barely noticeable aroma. It is specific and unique for every woman. As a rule, it is felt only by the fairer sex itself.

There are several reasons why your period smells:

• destruction of red blood cells;
• proliferation of bacteria living in the folds of the vagina.

After blood flows out of the blood vessels and enters the fresh air, blood cells (red blood cells) begin to break down. Iron comes out of them and immediately oxidizes. This is how the first component of the smell arises.

Women have a certain number of bacteria living in their vaginas. It's not scary, it's how nature intended it. After the start of menstruation, droplets of blood enter the folds of the vagina and linger there for some time. Absolutely all microorganisms multiply and live in the blood perfectly. This is how the second component of the smell is formed.

If you change your pads on time and wash regularly, people around a woman will not notice any odor around her.

In the case when a woman is not accustomed to keeping herself clean or does not have the opportunity to change the pad and wash herself in time, bacteria begin to rapidly grow and multiply. They are joined by a substance secreted by the skin glands on the external genitalia. In this case, the “aroma” becomes sharp and unpleasant. People at a distance begin to feel it.

Causes of unpleasant smell of menstruation

Violation of hygiene rules is not the only reason for the terrible smell of menstruation. This can happen due to the occurrence of various diseases of the urinary and genital organs.

Inflammation of the vaginal mucosa

The impetus for the development of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and external genital organs can be chronic infectious processes both in the genital organs themselves and in organs located nearby (intestines, bladder). The increase in symptoms of the disease on the eve of menstruation is associated with hormonal changes in the woman’s body and weakening of the immune system due to blood loss.

The proliferation of pathogenic bacteria is accompanied by the appearance of signs of inflammation:

• redness of the vaginal mucosa;
• its swelling;
• the appearance of itching and burning, intensifying with any contact;
• increased vaginal discharge;
• the discharge begins to stink.

The color of the discharge also changes. They often take on a greenish tint. This is due to the presence of leukocytes in them.

Bacterial vaginosis

This condition is also called vaginal dysbiosis. With it, due to previous diseases, the use of strong antibiotics, and neglect of hygiene rules, colonies of microorganisms begin to grow in the vagina, which are considered opportunistic (they live in the body and do not cause diseases only if there are a small number of them there). These could be cocci, gardnerella.

With vaginosis, the patient notices that the discharge on her underwear smells like fish. A similar fetid aroma is felt throughout the month, but during menstruation it intensifies.

Candidiasis

Yeast-like fungi are constant companions of women. They are in her vagina, mouth, and intestines. However, if the patient is healthy, there are negligible numbers of them. Only when a woman’s body is subjected to any negative influence does the fungus get out of control and begin to multiply. This happens under the influence of the following factors:

• weather change;
• stress;
• weakened immunity;
• diabetes;
• use of antibiotics.

What does the unpleasant smell of menstruation mean?

Often, along with the smell of menstruation, the general condition of the genital organs, consistency, and color of the discharge begins to change. The microflora of the vagina changes, and pain appears. The presence of diseases is determined by the nature of the discharge, smell and unpleasant sensations.

1. Inflammation of the genital organ

The most common inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. Various types of colpitis are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, bacteria, and fungi. Inflammation is promoted by prolapse of organ walls, injuries, operations, failure to comply with hygiene rules, age after 40 years, hidden infections in the body. There are actually a lot of them. The cause of inflammation of the genital organs can be pathological processes in organs located nearby. For example, in the intestines, bladder, kidneys. The mucus secreted by the cervix irritates the walls of the vagina. As a result of prolonged exposure, an infection begins to develop, which in turn provokes inflammation of the organ. Before menstruation, hormonal changes in the body begin, which reduces the body’s protective function. During menstruation, the negative impact on the vaginal walls is complemented by the release of blood. Bacteria begin to multiply more actively, and an unpleasant smell of rot appears. This is the main reason for the increase in discomfort. Along with the smell of menstruation, the condition of the genital organs also changes. There is redness and swelling. Painful sensations appear, the color of the discharge changes.

1. Bacterial vaginosis

A healthy woman's body contains a set of bacteria that are in balance. Violation of the idyll leads to the appearance of bacterial vaginosis. The main causes of the disease are considered to be hormonal imbalance and decreased immunity. Factors include medications, hypothermia, nervous stress and many others. An excessive desire for cleanliness causes an imbalance of microorganisms in the vagina. Frequent douching helps wash away the protective layer on the vaginal walls. The number of lactobacilli is significantly reduced, as a result of which other bacteria quickly increase their growth. The use of intimate cosmetics affects the condition of the genital organ in a similar way. Active reproduction of gardnerella bacteria occurs during menstrual periods. An unpleasant odor appears, reminiscent of rotten fish. Along with the smell of menstruation, their consistency and color change. A whitish tint appears, then the blood becomes mixed with yellow or green. Along with this, there is a burning sensation in the genitals, discomfort in the vagina, and pain during sexual intercourse. There is intestinal dysbiosis. In some cases, this disease is the true cause of bacterial vaginal vaginosis.

1. Candidiasis (thrush)

The most common gynecological disease. This is due to a large number of factors that provoke the development of thrush. The true cause of the disease is the growth of bacteria of the genus Candida. And this process is facilitated by decreased immunity, hormonal imbalance, and hidden infections. The cause of thrush can be hypothermia, nervous tension, hygiene products, medications, contraception and many other factors. Under the influence of candida, the number of beneficial lactic bacteria decreases. As a result, an unpleasant smell of sour milk appears. It intensifies during menstruation, since blood promotes the proliferation of harmful microflora. Along with the changed smell of menstruation, the following symptoms appear:

• curdled white discharge between periods;
• itching and burning of the genitals;
• pain at the end of urination;
• discomfort during sexual intercourse;
• white plaque on the walls of the vagina and external genitalia.

1. STI infection

The disease is transmitted sexually. In rare cases, you can become infected through personal hygiene items. The main symptoms of infection are green or yellow foamy discharge between menstrual periods. All other symptoms are similar to any gynecological diseases. The unpleasant odor increases during menstruation. It may smell fishy or rotten. Depends on the pathological microorganisms that predominate in the vagina. Before critical days, women experience additional symptoms of STI diseases - body temperature rises, weakness, nausea, pain in the lumbar region, lower abdomen. There remains a lot of discharge even after the critical days. They scare a woman with a green or yellow tint and a terrible smell. It is felt strongly in the mornings and evenings. Frequent urination and the presence of pain indicate the onset of the inflammatory process. Without appropriate treatment, the disease becomes latent or chronic. Mild symptoms appear periodically in women. In this case, the menstrual cycle is disrupted; there is too much blood discharge during menstruation.

How to get rid of unpleasant odor

To overcome the smelly smell of menstrual flow, it is important, first of all, to strictly follow the rules of hygiene. The main place where blood accumulates and bacteria multiply is the pad. It must be changed at least once every 2 hours. Pads should be made from natural materials, underwear should be made only from natural materials.

On days like these, it's important to have a spare pair of panties in your purse just in case. Only in this case the bacteria will not have time to grow into large colonies.

Washing is no less important. It is better to carry out this procedure before each gasket change. You only need to wash yourself with boiled water, or even better, with a decoction of herbs. You need to get rid of soap immediately. It is replaced with a hygiene product specially designed for caring for the intimate area.

A change in the nature of the discharge, its consistency and smell, the appearance of various types of pain is a reason to seek advice from a specialist. What is certain in this situation is the fact that a disease has begun to develop in the body that requires urgent treatment.

Discharge after menstruation with an unpleasant odor: causes and principles of treatment

4.1 Correction of bacterial vaginosis

Previously, it was believed that the main drug for this nosology was metronidazole, but scientists have now found that most pathogens are resistant to it. If the patient has symptoms of BV, and Gardnerella was identified as the main cause at the diagnostic stage, then metronidazole will indeed be beneficial. It is used orally: Trichopolum 250 mg 4 times a day for 5 days.

It is optimal to use topically in the form of suppositories: Rumizol, Neo-Penotran (Forte), Limenda, Ginocaps, Klion-D - a combination of metronidazole with miconazole. Suppositories are applied 2 times a day for 1-2 weeks, depending on the severity of the infectious process.

The complex drug Terzhinan (contains ternidazole, prednisolone, nystatin, neomycin sulfate) is more powerful, effective in this situation and helps get rid of the pathology.

If Mobiluncus and Atopobium are detected in the smear, therapy with clindamycin alone will bring results (it destroys biofilms and cellular associations of bacteria). It is dangerous to take this antibiotic internally; it may lead to the development of a dangerous complication - pseudomembranous colitis.

But local use has virtually no side effects and prevents repeated attacks of BV. Clindabiox, Dalatsin S contain 100 mg of clindamycin in each suppository, taken once a day for 3 days, treatment can be prolonged up to 6 days. The growth of fungi during antibiotic therapy will help to avoid Clindacin B - the drug includes butoconazole.

In pregnant women, all of the above remedies are contraindicated in the 1st and 2nd trimester, but it is extremely necessary for them to restore vaginal normal flora, since gestational complications may develop: premature birth, fetal malnutrition, chorioamnionitis. The optimal solution in this situation is the use of Betadine, Ruvidon, Hexosept, Hexicon, Fluomizin - local antiseptics of general action.

Polyoxidonium is prescribed for general strengthening purposes. The drug has an immunomodulatory, antioxidant effect, increases the concentration of drugs in the blood, making the treatment more effective.

Afterwards, it is necessary to inoculate the vaginal environment with lactoflora. Lactriol, Acylact, Gynoflor are used - 1 suppository 2 times a day, 5-10 days.

Normal discharge before menstruation

At the end of the menstrual cycle, a sharp decrease in progesterone and an increase in estrogen levels occur in a woman’s blood. Under the influence of hormones, leucorrhoea acquires the consistency of cream or jelly. The color of the discharge may also change, becoming cloudy or yellowish. The consistency of the leucorrhoea becomes more viscous and thick.

As for the smell, it is practically absent in vaginal whites before menstruation. Leucorrhoea should also not cause any itching or burning. A smear taken on the eve of menstruation may normally show a slight increase in gram-negative rods, leukocytes and epithelial cells. The appearance of bloody spots 1 - 2 days before menstruation can also be considered a variant of the norm. The unbearable smell that you are talking about may be a sign of pathology or a consequence of non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. Normally there should not be a strong odor.

Presence of sour odor, norm and deviation

Why does the smell during menstruation feel sour? This amber indicates the presence of pathology. However, you need to be able to distinguish a sour natural smell from a sour one, which indicates problems in the body. It is worth understanding what the differences are. If there is milky, yellowish or dark discharge that has a barely noticeable sour odor, there is no cause for concern. There should be no swelling or itching. This is the natural work of the female reproductive system, which produces an acidic environment to destroy unwanted harmful microorganisms. But if the aroma becomes pungent, then you should consult a doctor on this issue, since this symptom is often present in certain diseases.

Signs of an unpleasant odor

The appearance of an unpleasant odor before menstruation indicates the progression of inflammation or infection. Very often, the fungus causes not only a stench, but also abundant white, yellowish, flaky mucus. The woman experiences a feeling of discomfort, as itching and pain appear in the lower abdomen.

In some cases, dark brown discharge is a sign of normality. Changes in mucus color and odor may be caused by hormonal imbalance. During the pathological process, the following symptoms are often observed:

• change in the abundance of menstruation;
• irregular menstruation;
• increased body temperature, weakness;
• pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar area.

The strong smell of ammonia from the genitals very often appears during the manifestation of diabetes mellitus. The cause of stench before menstruation can be endometritis. The discharge is copious and there is a putrid stench.

With vaginal dysbiosis, discharge appears in very large quantities before and during menstruation. They have a specific herring smell. With candidiasis, they are white in color, with a cheesy consistency, reminiscent of sourdough or sour milk.

Causes of bad breath before menstruation

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The main reason for bad breath before menstruation is problems with hormones. It is hormonal imbalance that leads to negative changes in the microflora of the body. The development of harmful bacteria, the appearance of tumors and a general decrease in immunity - all this leads to the development of diseases that cause bad breath.

An unpleasant odor caused by menstruation usually begins 3-4 days before the immediate “critical” days. If checking a woman's teeth and stomach did not give any effect, perhaps the problem lies precisely in hormones.

It is important to take into account that under such conditions the “carrier” himself rarely realizes about the unpleasant odor, and those around him are not always ready to “prompt”. Therefore, there are techniques that allow a woman to verify the presence and periods of occurrence of an unpleasant odor without outside help:

• breathe into a slightly bent palm and bring it to your nose;
• stretch the dental floss between the teeth and smell it after that;
• Rub the cotton pad on your tongue and inner surface of your cheeks, then bring it to your nose.

If, with any of the above options, bad breath is present, but neither the dentist nor the gastrologist could find the cause, the problem may lie in menstruation and hormonal imbalances. In this case, it is better to contact a gynecologist or endocrinologist.

Warning symptoms

Very often, when an unpleasant odor occurs before menstruation, the general condition of the genitals, the color of the mucus, and its density change. The microflora undergoes changes, which are accompanied by very heavy discharge.

By the nature of the mucus and its smell, you can identify the presence of the disease:

1. Acute inflammatory process in the genital organ. Various types of colpitis are provoked by pathogenic fungi, bacteria and microorganisms. The cause of inflammation can be pathological phenomena in neighboring organs. The secretion that is released from the cervix irritates the mucous membrane, so the infection begins to progress. Bacteria develop very quickly, causing severe pain. Swelling and redness occur. The most common disease is thrush. It is accompanied by burning and itching, pain when urinating, a feeling of discomfort during intimacy, and white cheesy discharge. As candidiasis progresses, in addition to the appearance of all these symptoms, the smell of sour milk is observed.
2. Sexually transmitted infection. The cause of this pathology is intimate intimacy. The main symptom is the appearance of yellowish, green or brown discharge between periods. They have a foamy character. There is a stench that resembles the smell of rot and fish. A woman’s body temperature may rise, weakness and nausea, and pain in the lower abdomen may occur. There is severe pain when urinating. A woman’s menstrual cycle is disrupted and during regular periods a lot of bleeding appears.

Such symptoms should not be ignored; they require mandatory treatment.

Menstruation with a pungent odor: causes

The appearance of menstruation with a sharp rotten odor, sometimes reminiscent of fish, indicates bacterial vaginosis, which is also called gardnerellosis or vaginal dysbiosis. The essence of the disease is that in the microflora of the mucous membrane, for a number of reasons, opportunistic flora began to predominate, suppressing beneficial bacteria. If this assumption is correct, then the unpleasant odor from the genital tract should also appear during other periods of the menstrual cycle, but it is most noticeable during menstruation. The development of gardnerellosis is facilitated by long-term use of antibiotics, hormonal disorders, allergic reactions, the use of an intrauterine device or contraceptive hormonal rings, decreased immunity, the use of oral contraceptives, the use of spermicidal lubricants, and disturbances of the intestinal microflora.

The sharp sour smell of menstrual blood indicates the development of candidiasis (thrush), which is caused by fungi of the genus Candida. Accompanying symptoms of infection are itching and burning in the perineum, even after taking a shower. After the end of menstruation, white, cheesy discharge appears.

An unpleasant odor during menstruation also accompanies colpitis - inflammation of the external genitalia, which is provoked by E. coli, staphylococcus, Trichomonas, chlamydia and gonococcus. The smell could also appear due to the accumulation of metabolic products in the vaginal mucosa due to a lack of lactobacilli.

In any case, now that you are having your period, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of the unpleasant odor of your discharge. It may make sense to see a gynecologist again after the end of menstruation, take cytology tests from the genital tract, culture for bacteria, a smear for PCR diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, a blood test to determine the level of sex hormones, and also undergo an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries.

Best regards, Ksenia.

Menstruation with an unpleasant odor

At the end of the menstrual cycle, a sharp decrease in progesterone levels and an increase in estrogen levels are observed in a girl’s blood. Under the influence of hormones, mucus acquires the consistency of jelly. The shade of the discharge can also vary; under normal conditions, it varies from light white to cloudy yellow. Before the critical days, the leucorrhoea becomes thicker.

As for the smell, before menstruation it is practically absent. The secreted mucus should not provoke burning or itching. A smear taken the day before may normally show a slight increase in gram-negative rods, epithelial cells and leukocytes. The discharge of bloody clots from the uterus a day or two before menstruation is also considered normal.

The cause of the smell before menstruation may be a pathological process or lack of personal hygiene. But normally it shouldn’t be.

Violation of hygiene standards as a cause of unpleasant odor

Most often, unpleasant odors during menstrual periods are associated with non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. This includes the following:

• changing pads/tampons every 2-3 hours;
• daily clean underwear;
• washing at least twice a day and as needed.

The unpleasant odor is especially noticeable when the gasket is replaced infrequently. If a girl neglects or “saves,” microbes begin to actively multiply on the surface of the hygiene product where there is blood. This leads to the beginning of rotting processes. A sour, putrid and other unpleasant odor occurs.

Reusable pads

The latest know-how “menstrual panties” or other similar products also cannot serve as ideal personal hygiene products in “these days”. First of all, they are reusable. Secondly, they should also be changed every 2-3 hours, which is rarely observed. After all, for this you need to have many pairs.

Menstrual panties

Personal hygiene products should be selected according to the amount of menstrual flow. For example, on the first and second days it is better to use maxi pads, on the last days - an order of magnitude less. This is beneficial from an economic point of view and is better for maintaining hygiene.

Additional strange odors may be caused by scented pads. Therefore, it is better to choose products without additional conditions.

Expert opinion

Daria Shirochina (obstetrician-gynecologist)

Particularly careful hygiene should be observed on hot days. High temperatures increase the rate of bacterial growth in the blood, causing an unpleasant odor to appear many times faster.

Diagnostic methods

If such a pathological symptom appears, you should definitely consult a gynecologist. It cannot be postponed, since the pathogens are in the active stage. Diagnostics includes the following steps:

1. Anamnesis collection. Communication with a specialist will help identify possible risk factors. You cannot hide symptoms that are disturbing.
2. Gynecological examination on a chair. The specialist assesses the condition of the vaginal mucosa and part of the cervical canal. The doctor will be able to palpate the appendages and uterus and determine the nature of the mucus.
3. Taking a smear for flora. The study makes it possible to identify the number of epithelial cells and leukocytes. The acidity of the vaginal microflora is also determined. If any deviations are observed, this indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process.
4. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Using the procedure, the condition of the reproductive organ, appendages and lymph nodes is assessed.
5. Tests for infections transmitted through intimate intimacy.

Only after receiving complete information will the gynecologist determine the cause of the unpleasant odor before menstruation and be able to eliminate it.

Diagnosis of vaginal odor

If you experience an unpleasant odor from the vagina before menstruation, it is important to consult a gynecologist. This must be done immediately, since it is at this time that the pathogens are in the active stage. Diagnostics will include the following mandatory items:

• Survey. First of all, the doctor needs to find out the patient’s complaints and subjective feelings, collect anamnesis, learn about previous and chronic diseases and lifestyle.
• Gynecological examination. A routine examination of the external genitalia and vagina also provides a wealth of useful information. At the same time, the doctor can determine the very nature of the discharge: its color, structure, and smell. By the way, this sign plays a fairly important diagnostic role. Diseases such as chlamydia, gardnerellosis, and candidiasis cause a characteristic odor from the vagina.
• Flora smear. The appearance of vaginal odor before menstruation may indicate a change in flora, and a smear will help determine the presence of such disorders.

Causes of vaginal odor before menstruation

Smell is a rather conditional and subjective concept. Sometimes women find the natural smell of vaginal discharge unpleasant, causing psychological discomfort. However, it is a normal manifestation of healthy flora.

At the same time, if the odor from the vagina before menstruation has changed sharply and unexpectedly and has become clearly unpleasant, if in addition to it other unfavorable signs have appeared (itching, burning, irritation), it is worth getting diagnosed as quickly as possible, since this is a symptom of disease.

And such a smell can appear at any time, but most often it occurs immediately before menstruation. The reason for this phenomenon is hormonal changes characteristic of the second half of the menstrual cycle. They affect the composition of the vaginal flora and the composition of secretions, due to which the natural protective mechanisms are somewhat weakened.

And if the rest of the time they successfully restrained the growth of conditionally pathogenic microflora (fungi of the genus Candida, Gardnerella, various cocci), now the bacteria can begin to grow more actively, causing the onset of diseases. In this case, an unpleasant odor from the vagina is one of the symptoms, and in order to get rid of it, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics, detect and eliminate the pathogen.

Smell during menstruation - normal and abnormal

During menstruation, the inner layer of the uterus, the endometrium, separates. The process is accompanied by the release of blood. There may be a lot of it, or the discharge may be scanty. It smells like iron or meat. The blood contains a large amount of a vital microelement - iron. Hence the similar smell. Raw meat also smells of iron. Therefore the smell is comparable. It is poorly expressed. And usually only a woman feels it when she changes hygiene products.

If the rules for using gaskets are not followed, harmful microorganisms begin to multiply rapidly inside them. There are a lot of them, the normal smell of menstruation turns into a not entirely pleasant one. If the gasket has not been changed for more than 5 hours, a rotten smell appears. Discharge accumulates on the surface of the external genitalia. A putrid amber appears in the crotch.

To prevent an unpleasant odor from appearing during menstruation, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene. The washing procedure should be carried out 2-3 times a day. If possible, and if necessary, you can do this more often. Replace the gaskets with clean ones when they are full. But the interval between this should not exceed 4 hours. Modern sanitary pads contain scented gel. It dulls the natural smell of your period when absorbed.

Anything associated with the smell of menstruation that is not similar to the usual one is considered a deviation. Sometimes an unpleasant odor is the only sign of the presence of a disease or pathological process in a woman’s body.

Causes of unpleasant odor

Sometimes your period smells like rotten eggs, fish, or sour milk. Most often this is due to pathological factors. Menstruation with a rotten smell, which occurs due to gynecological diseases, is accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms. Let's consider the reasons that provoke their appearance.

Poor hygiene

Women who neglect the rules of personal hygiene often experience an unpleasant odor during menstruation.

The blood released during menstruation will smell like sour (sour) milk if the hygiene product has not been changed for more than 4-5 hours. Despite the uniqueness of each organism, it is not recommended to save on pads and tampons.

If you ignore the simple rules of intimate hygiene, a girl may encounter such an unpleasant disease as vaginosis.

In the absence of frequent changes of pads/tampons, an optimal environment is created for the development of pathogenic bacteria, as a result of which menstruation occurs with an unpleasant odor. You don’t have to feel the stench if you use a scented hygiene product during menstruation. However, this does not eliminate the need to maintain cleanliness.

Read more about how many pads you need to change during your period per day.

Endometritis

This is a dangerous disease that is characterized by rotting of the endometrium with its subsequent death. During the development of the disease, a woman experiences severe pain in the ovarian area.

The unpleasant smell of menstruation due to endometritis is provoked by infections of the genital organs that settle on the mucous membrane. When the dead endometrium separates from the uterus, it produces a putrid, rotten meat smell. This is due to rotting of the outer uterine layer.

In the absence of timely treatment of endometritis, pathogenic infections can spread to other organs.

Colpitis

When a pathogenic bacterium (Trichomonas) settles on the vaginal mucosa, menstruation smells like rotten meat.