Vaginal odor

Under normal conditions, cervical secretions and vaginal transudate have a light color, tending to transparent, and a pleasant smell. Many women, however, are not of the same opinion and - although this aroma is absolutely normal - they consider it too penetrating; for this they strive to mask it by applying various types of cosmetics or performing vaginal cleansing.

In reality there is nothing more wrong, first because perfumes can cause allergic reactions and irritations, secondly because the showers tend to alter the vaginal microflora facilitating the engraftment of pathogens, and third because most of the men find this smell particularly pleasant. It is therefore not necessary to "perfume like a rose"; a simple shower with warm water and small doses of mild soap are more than enough.

In particular conditions, the vaginal odor can become particularly heavy and unpleasant, to the point of being described with the classic expression "stink of battered fish". This is a clear indication that something on the intimate level is not working properly. In most cases, the bad smell is due to the overgrowth of pathogens normally present in the vagina in such small amounts as to be harmless. This condition is known as bacterial vaginosis. Although high sexual promiscuity is an important risk factor, the causes of vaginosis are also to be found in excessive or insufficient intimate hygiene, the use of intrauterine mechanical contraceptives and the submission to antibiotic therapy.

Unpleasant vaginal odor is common in several sexually transmitted diseases, especially it can be caused by Gardnerella, but also by trichomoniasis, candida, gonorrhea and pelvic inflammatory disease. When the bad smell of the vagina is caused by a venereal disease, such as gardnerella, it is amplified by contact with the sperm and with alkaline soaps. The smell can be particularly intense even during menstruation.

Other causes of bad vaginal odor are poor personal hygiene and much more rarely cervical or vaginal cancer, the presence of a rectovaginal fistula (an abnormal opening between the rectum and vagina), severe genital herpes, syphilis or from a forgotten internal pad.

When the vaginal odor becomes particularly pungent and unpleasant it is good to submit it to the doctor or gynecologist as soon as possible. In the meantime it is necessary to avoid "do-it-yourself" deodorants and vaginal lavages, which in addition to hindering the diagnosis could aggravate the infection.