Here’s what period blood smell can indicate
- Poor hygiene down there “The period smell can include the odor of onions or salt. It can happen owing to not practicing good hygiene. ...
- A shift in your vaginal pH balance If your period blood smells a little on the sweeter side, don’t get hassled because it is completely normal. ...
- Allergies and infections
Why does my period blood smell?
Why does my period smell metallic?
What is the cause of bacterial vaginosis?
Why does my vagina smell like fish?
How to get rid of blood smell during period?
What is the process of apocrine sweat?
What does it mean when your period is green?
See more
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My Blood Has A Strong Iron Smell To It. - JustAnswer
Blood naturally has a metallic odor. Normally the odor is quite faint. For a strong odor, you should check out principally on hormonal changes (which you probably already have since you have PCOS), any heavy metal poisoning or liver and kidney diseases.
Foul menstrual blood odor - Women's Health - MedHelp
I have never noticed much of an odor with my period, up until last month and now today. It is absolutely revolting!!! The blood has gone from being a lightish red to a deepish red-brown and it's kinda gooey and ickey.
Can others smell my period blood? - Quora
Answer: Vagina has some good bacterias that help it in the self cleaning process and also protect it from any infection. Every person has a unique body odor and so does your vagina. It's normal to have a vaginal odor. However, period blood itself doesn't have any odor of it's own. It's just bloo...
Why Does My Period Blood Smell Like Fish? | U by Kotex
Believe it or not, menstrual blood has no odor. Neither does sweat for that matter. But, let’s be real, we have all experienced a smell or felt less than clean down there.
What does it mean when your period smells?
Any odors you might notice during your period can also fluctuate. “Healthy” periods can have a slight smell of blood. They may even have a slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria. Generally speaking, period odors aren’t noticeable to others. Good hygiene practices can also combat normal period odors and make you more comfortable ...
Why does my period smell fishy?
Unlike other common odors, fishiness usually indicates a medical problem that you need to see a doctor for. This odor is most often attributed to bacterial vaginosis, a type of infection.
Why does my poop smell like it's down there?
A strong odor from “down there” may be cause for worry, as it could be a sign of an infection. In such cases, the odors are accompanied by other symptoms, such as vaginal discharge or pelvic pain that’s not related to normal menstruation.
Why does my tampon smell rotten?
A “rotten” smell can occur when a tampon is left in for too long or forgotten. This can happen at the end of a period, when you don’t have to insert a new tampon as often and you have no further bleeding.
How to stop a period from smelling?
Proper hygiene habits can help combat the usual odors associated with menstruation. This can be as simple as making sure you change tampons, liners, or pads every few hours. Daily showers are also important, and you can help prevent period odors by cleaning the outside of your vagina only.
Is it normal to smell after a period?
It’s completely normal for this combination to have a slight odor after it exits the vagina. This is most likely related to the vaginal substance itself, but bacteria and acidity can also play a role.
Is it normal for a vagina to smell?
It’s normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. The resulting “rotten” smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldn’t be strong enough for others to detect. You might be able to control such odors by changing pads and tampons frequently, especially during heavy-flow days.
Why does my period smell so bad?
Greves says, but if all of a sudden your period smells seriously rotten, you may want to talk to your doctor. A particularly strong, fishy smell could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, an infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.
What does it mean when your tampon smells rotten?
Any of these symptoms should be a cue to get a professional opinion. A rotten smell, on the other hand, could be a sign that you’ve left a tampon in for too long, Dr. Greves says.
Do you smell blood when you get a cut?
Way less. Periods smell. That’s no secret, but you might be wondering why. When you get a cut on your finger, for example, the blood doesn’t have any smell at all.
Does period blood stay in the vagina?
Greves says. “But period blood stays in the vagina for a longer period of time. It’s exposed to the bacteria in the vagina, and that’s where you get that odor.”.
Can you use deodorizing wipes on your vagina?
But whatever you do, do not use a douche or deodorizing products, such as wipes and sprays. These throw off the natural bacteria in your vagina and cause infection. Change tampons or pads regularly, wear clean and breathable underwear, and be mindful of possible infections.
In This Article
Popular vagina myth-busting ob-gyn Dr. Jen Gunter has an amazing saying: "It's a vagina, not a piña colada!" The point being, your vagina doesn't need to smell or taste fruity — or really, like anything else besides a vagina.
1. Metallic or Like Iron
"The period itself is basically endometrial tissue that's built up over the course of the month. If an egg is not fertilized and implanted, that lining is released," Taraneh Shirazian, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn with NYU Langone, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
2. Fishy
"As blood exits the vagina, especially if there's a lot of bleeding, it can change the pH of the vagina," Dr. Shirazian explains. When the normal bacterial balance of the vagina is thrown off, you may develop bacterial vaginosis, or BV. This can result in a fishy smell.
3. Sweet
Some vaginal bacteria can naturally have a sweet smell, according to Women's Medical Associates of Nashville. This is nothing to worry about.
What to Do About Period Odor
What you want to avoid is using any sort of fragranced feminine wipe designed to freshen things up down below. "The problem with these is that they just cover up the odor. The first step is always figuring out the underlying source and treating that," Dr. Shirazian says.
When to See a Doctor About Period Odor
A rotten or foul odor from your nether region warrants a trip to the ob-gyn, Dr. Shirazian says.
Is This an Emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. If you think you may have COVID-19, use the CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker .
Meet Your Distinctive Menstrual Scent
Any women health specialist will tell you the specific odor of menstrual blood is a totally natural thing. When the blood coming from your uterus contacts air, it gains its own peculiar scent. Moreover, in addition to blood, during your period you also expel vaginal mucus, fluid, tissue, and bacteria (the good kind, mind it).
Keep It Dry and Clean
So, you shouldn't worry about the scent – unless you ever notice that odor has changed in quality, and especially, has turned fishy. Doctors say due to the high sensitivity of the vagina during the menses, there's a chance it absorbs moisture, which increases the chances for various infections.
Replace Your Sanitary Products Often
Health specialists recommend replacing your pad every 3-4 hours. In case of heavier flow, do it every 2 hours. This is mostly true for a regular pad. Enhanced premium pads, such as Genial Day, contain negative ion strip and other technology that safely neutralize unpleasant odor by preventing bacteria from multiplying.
Why does my period blood smell?
Why does period blood smell sweaty? Due to the apocrine sweat glands, located near your vagina. The sweat produced by these glands is secreted during times of anxiety or stress.
Why does my period smell metallic?
You may notice your period blood smell to be slightly metallic in some months. This happens where there’s considerable iron content in the menstrual discharge. The color of the blood usually appears darker in such cases.
Why does my vagina smell?
Vaginal odor is directly related to hygiene. If it’s not kept clean, the smell wouldn’t be pleasant and such a situation could also lead to infections. Cleaning the intimate parts of your body is as important as the other areas and probably more.
How long does it take for a period to stop smelling blood?
Ideally, period blood smell should be reduced within a week or two of its advent. However, if the smell persists even after the duration of menstruation and is followed by signs like stomach ache or cramps, fever, etc, you should consult the doctor immediately.
Does drinking water help with period blood?
It’s no myth that water and other healthy fluids flush out all the toxins from the body. Drinking water doesn’t just keep our body fresh and healthy, but it also puts a check on the intensity of the period blood smell.
When your flow smells 'rotten'
Some people report that they have a 'rotten' smell during their period. This smell shows up when bacteria mixes with menstrual flow and could be a sign of a problem. It is usually not strong enough for other people to smell.
When your period blood smells 'fishy'
If you notice a'fishy' smell during menstruation, this might indicate a problem that you need to see a doctor for. This smell is most often caused by bacterial vaginosis, which is a common infection that can cause periods to smell a lot stronger than normal.
If your period blood smells 'metallic'
Period blood can sometimes smell metallic, like a copper coin. This is usually due to the iron in the blood and is normally not a cause for concern. However, if it continues after your period ends, it is probably a good idea to talk to your GP.
When your period smells sweet
If you catch a sweet whiff coming from your period blood, don't worry too much, this is common and is normally just due to the acidic environment and bacteria in your vagina.
Can other people smell my blood?
Most of the time, although you may be able to smell your period, it shouldn't be strong enough for anyone else to pick up on. Periods are a natural part of life and nearly every person with a period will tell you they've had a funky smell at some point or another - so don't feel embarrassed!
How can I improve the smell of my period blood?
First of all, if you're worried about the smell of your period at any time, be sure to check in with your doctor to make sure that there are no infections going on. Once you've eliminated the chances of any infection, there's a number of things that you can do to try and reduce the smell of your period blood. Here's a few tips:
