{"id":626,"date":"2016-12-24T02:46:07","date_gmt":"2016-12-24T02:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medplux.com\/?p=626"},"modified":"2018-07-28T05:07:14","modified_gmt":"2018-07-28T05:07:14","slug":"fishy-smelling-discharge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medplux.com\/fishy-smelling-discharge\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishy Smelling Discharge With Odor: Causes, Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 05:07 am<\/p>

Fishy smelling discharge with odor<\/strong> is an abnormal discharge that is experienced by young women. It is caused by vaginal infections and sometimes sweats.<\/p>\n

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis (Trich) can cause fishy smelling discharge in women. While BV is not a sexually transmitted infection,\u00a0trich is an STD. Early treatment of fishy discharge is therefore important because vaginal infections can cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) which will result in ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage in women.<\/p>\n

More than 30 percent of women in the United States are affected by bacterial vaginosis. It is possible not to show any smelly discharge if you have BV because some women do not show symptoms of the disease.<\/p>\n

Also, BV and trich can cause increased transmission of other STDs. This article will explain cause and treatment of fishy odor in women.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>What causes discharge in females?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As you get older, you will start to discharge clear white fluid from your vagina. This usually starts just before you notice your first period. It is not abnormal as it’s a natural way to keep your vagina healthy and clean.<\/p>\n

Your discharge is made up of good bacteria (lactobacillus), other bacteria, fungi, cervical mucus and vaginal epithelial cells.<\/p>\n

There is a reasonable balance of these organisms with the good bacteria\u00a0keeping the vaginal acidic<\/strong>. The normal vaginal pH is between 3.5 to 4.5. This is necessary to prevent infection. Any action that affects this balance can cause fishy smell in your discharge.<\/p>\n

Also, the good bacteria when destroyed can lead to an imbalance with predominant harmful bacteria. This will give rise to a bacteria infection.<\/p>\n

In addition, if a woman takes a broad spectrum antibiotic<\/a>, it can kill both the good and bad bacteria in the vagina. This will shift the balance to predominant fungi (Candida albicans) leading to a yeast infection.<\/p>\n

Normal vaginal discharge<\/a> is white thick discharge without odor or itching that can sometimes change to brownish pink discharge or sometimes yellow discharge before and after your period.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>What causes fishy smelling discharge in women?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Fishy smelly discharge is an abnormal discharge in women that requires treatment. The common cause are:<\/p>\n

<\/span>Stress<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n

A stressful day can increase the amount of sweat in your vagina area. This is a common cause of fishy odor in women. It can be relieved by not using synthetic underwear and reducing stress. The more you sweat, the more you can have that fishy smell.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Vaginal douching<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Douching in women can change the normal vaginal flora<\/a>. Women that use vaginal douche to clean their vagina will end up killing these good bacteria. This will cause an increase in harmful bacteria and fungi. If you always use a douche, then it’s important to stop.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Use of broad spectrum antibiotics<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Antibiotics (broad spectrum) can kill both good and bad bacteria that can cause an overgrowth of fungi resulting in fishy-smelling discharge and itching of the vagina.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Bacterial vaginosis (BV)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is caused by Gardnerella vaginalis and bacteroids. They can be present without you showing any symptoms. However, any disruption of the vaginal flora will cause problems in women. This can result in a fishy smelling discharge without any pain or vaginal burning sensation.\u00a0Bacterial vaginosis can be treated and cured in women. If you experience any abnormal fishy smell with odor then you should inform your doctor to get tested and treated. Bacteria vaginosis treatment<\/a> involves the use of metronidazole.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Trich<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is an infection in women caused by trichomonas vaginalis. It is sexually transmitted and can affect both males and females. Most infected women do not show the symptom of trich<\/a>\u00a0infection.However, it can cause fishy smelly discharge with vulvar itching and painful urination in women.If not treated early can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>How to treat fishy discharge with odor?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you notice any unusual fishy odor in your vagina, then it’s important to inform your doctor. This is because normal vaginal discharge does not have a fishy smell and does not cause dysuria.<\/p>\n

Also, during your clinic visit, some test will be done. If your fishy discharge is due to bacterial vaginosis, it can be treated with metronidazole (Flagyl). Can BV be cured?<\/strong> yes. All you need to do is comply with the medications given to you by your doctor.<\/p>\n

Also, Flagyl\u00a0and clindamycin can be used to treat trich infection. If you already have PID, your doctor may treat you for a longer time with a combination of different drugs. Very rarely, PID can cause an abdominal abscess which can be treated with surgery.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>How to prevent fishy odor in your discharge?<\/span><\/h2>\n