In response to obstetrician-gynecologist Himali Maniar Patel, MBBS, DGO, it may be completely regular to have some extent of vaginal odor after your interval ends—and never simply while you’re actively bleeding, when it might sound apparent that issues may odor a little bit off down there.
It is true that sure vaginal smells can sign an an infection brought on by an imbalance within the vaginal flora (extra on that under). And satirically, among the largest culprits behind that imbalance are “hygienic” merchandise that promise to make you odor higher down there. However, a post-period odor doesn’t essentially signify the presence of any situation. Because it seems, sure menstruation-related shifts could cause a standard, short-term post-period odor.
Why your vagina would possibly odor after your interval
A few completely different causes may very well be behind vaginal smelliness as soon as your interval subsides. A giant one: leftover blood. “A standard cause for a metallic odor is the presence of iron in your interval blood,” says Amy Wetter, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at Pediatrix Medical Group. “This will linger, particularly when you have brown discharge from leftover or outdated blood and tissue nonetheless making its manner out.”
“A standard cause for a metallic odor is the presence of iron in your interval blood.” —Amy Wetter, MD, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist
Some different-than-usual micro organism may also be rising or proliferating in your vagina post-period, inflicting a shift in how issues odor. “The vagina requires a low pH (acidic pH) as a way to keep a wholesome bacterial steadiness,” says Dr. Wetter. “Since interval blood has a excessive pH (primary pH), this may permit sure sorts of micro organism to flourish [more so than others], which can trigger [temporary] odor or discharge.”
Certainly, Dr. Patel says that “a buildup of micro organism on the floor of your vulva or in your vagina” is a significant potential reason behind any sort of post-period funk. “This will additionally occur extra so across the time of your interval on account of hormonal adjustments and elevated moisture close to the realm,” she provides.
One other shocking wrongdoer: leaving a tampon in for too lengthy or after your interval is finished. (On that be aware, right here’s your pleasant reminder to vary your tampon each 4 to eight hours, at most.) The blood and secretions that accumulate on a tampon can result in a “foul” or “rotten” odor as they permit for micro organism to develop, says Dr. Wetter. To not point out, a tampon sitting within the vagina for too lengthy can throw off the steadiness of your present vaginal flora, which might enhance your danger of an an infection, like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast an infection.
Each of those infections could cause vaginal discharge that may have a robust odor (within the case of BV, a fishy odor, and with a yeast an infection, a bitter or yeasty odor like sourdough) at any time limit—which is why it’s necessary to research additional in case you discover extreme odor or discharge post-period, says Dr. Patel, notably if it’s accompanied by different signs of an an infection, like itching, burning, redness, or ache throughout penetrative intercourse.
How will you handle a post-period odor?
Any non-infection-related vaginal odor it’s possible you’ll discover after your interval will subside by itself with none particular therapy. However in case you’re trying to clear it up extra rapidly—or forestall a post-period odor within the first place—it might be useful to brush up in your vaginal hygiene practices.
Dr. Wetter and Dr. Patel counsel doing the next:
- Bathe every day, utilizing solely heat water to softly clear the vulva and across the opening of the vagina
- Bathe and/or change instantly after figuring out
- Keep away from utilizing any scented vaginal-care or hygienic merchandise
- Don’t douche
- Put on loose-fitting pants and cotton underwear
- Keep well-hydrated
- Devour probiotics to assist stave off infections (for instance, by consuming gut-healthy yogurts)
When do you have to see a physician for a post-period odor
Dr. Wetter encourages looking for medical care if any unusual-to-you vaginal odor lasts greater than two to a few days after your cycle, if it’s accompanied by fever or chills, or in case you expertise pelvic ache. Additionally, in case you discover discharge together with the odor, she provides, and it’s yellow or inexperienced, it’s a good suggestion to see a physician. “These are all indicators that you could have an an infection (that will require treatment to resolve), and never only a short-term change on account of your menses,” she says.
Seeing a doctor can assist you both rule out an an infection or obtain therapy for one, in the event that they decide that that’s the reason for the odor.
The excellent news? Once more, most post-period odors are completely regular, short-term, innocuous, and can go away on their very own. And even in case you do study that your vaginal odor stems from an an infection, the sorts of infections at play listed here are sometimes simply treatable, says Dr. Patel. “With the proper therapy and care, you’ll be able to rapidly get again on observe and really feel extra comfy in your individual pores and skin.”
