Intimate hygiene and bad smell

Avoiding bad smell is a concern for anyone. Especially in intimate areas, since an unpleasant vaginal odor can be the symptom of an infection

The smell. Cross and delight of all humanity. Everyone has their own and everyone, at least once in their life, has asked themselves the same question: do I have an unpleasant smell?

Sometimes, the answer can be subjective. In some cases, however, the smell emanating from one’s body can be an indication of particular physiological or pathological conditions. This is especially true when it comes to intimate areas.

How does the smell of intimate parts change?

The vagina is characterized by an odor that varies from person to person, and that changes during the various phases of the menstrual cycle, according to hormonal changes.

Intense odors may appear after sexual intercourse. Or in case of heavy sweating. These are perfectly physiological situations which should not give cause for concern.

The main odorous alterations of the intimate parts are linked to particular characteristics of vaginal secretions.

Like any human secretion, these can also be different in terms of:

• abundance
• consistency
• color
• smell.

These properties vary in relation to:

• age
• hormone levels
• lifestyle factors
• any ongoing drug therapies.
• any vaginal infections

Vaginal secretions are an important tool through which the vagina maintains its cleanliness and physiological balance.

Know yourself

Clear or whitish vaginal secretions are physiological and perfectly normal.

The quality and quantity of secretions vary depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle and the period of life in which the woman is. For example, during childbearing age, at ovulation, these become denser. During menopause, on the contrary, in most cases they are greatly reduced, increasing the risk of vaginal dryness.

It is essential to be familiar with your intimate smells, and especially with that of your vagina. In this way you can immediately notice if there is something unusual and run for cover quickly. Not only to eliminate the embarrassing annoyance, but also and above all to ward off the disorders that have caused it and thus protect one’s health.

When to contact the gynecologist in case of bad smell?

Vaginal discharge in a healthy woman generally does not have strong odors or colors other than white. In addition, no sensation of discomfort, itching, burning or swelling should be present.

If they appear, these symptoms are an important clue to the presence of intimate disorders.

If you notice changes in the appearance of your secretions, do not hesitate and contact the gynecologist for clarification, especially if it is foul-smelling discharge, as they can be the indicator of some pathologies, such as:

Bad smell	Causes
Smell of spoiled fish	Bacterial vaginosis
Unpleasant odor similar to that of stale material, such as mold	Trichomonas vaginalis infection
Smell of ammonia	Cystitis

“Good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria

Inside the vagina reside numerous microorganisms, more abundant than in any other organ of the body, excluding the intestine.

The reasons why the so-called “good” bacteria, mostly lactobacilli, colonize the vagina are different, such as:

– keep the bacterial population under control, counteracting the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, such as Gardnerella vaginalis

– preserve acidic vaginal pH

– produce bacteriocins, which represent a real natural antibacterial, protective against the proliferation of dangerous bacteria.

If the composition of the bacterial flora is altered, the risk of infection increases.

Why does the bacterial flora change?

The causes of a change in the composition of the vaginal bacterial flora are several, including:

– reduction of immune defenses, also due to the use of antibiotics

– inadequate personal hygiene

– use of vaginal douches

– presence of specific systemic diseases, including in particular diabetes

– alterations in hormone levels, linked to endocrine dysfunctions or physiological states such as pregnancy or menopause

-stress.

Vaginal infections

There are several pathogens that can cause vaginitis. And also different clinical manifestations. Including, as we have mentioned, changes in appearance, texture and smell of vaginal secretions.

Candida mycosis is associated with white, lumpy and uneven discharge, very similar in appearance to soft cottage cheese. However, the secretions are not characterized by particular odors.

A further indication that the disorder is a candidiasis is the presence of symptoms such as burning, inflammation and genital and vaginal itching. These are annoyances that can become very intense and disturbing, making urination and sexual intercourse painful.

If the losses have a grayish-white color, with a fluid, milky, sticky consistency and are accompanied by an unmistakable smell of spoiled fish, it is undoubtedly bacterial vaginosis. In this case, the smell is very intense and you can not neutralize it even with careful intimate hygiene. On the other hand, discomforts such as burning or itching are mostly absent, which, if they appear, are still very mild.

The smell of fish tends to be more pronounced in some situations, such as:

– after sexual intercourse, especially if a condom is not used

– during menstruation, due to hormonal variations and the presence of blood that make the vaginal pH less acidic

– after a few hours from the last wash.

Another fairly common type of vaginal discharge is that associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infections. In this case, color and consistency are the main guiding elements for diagnosis: these are typically greenish-yellow discharges, which have a foamy appearance, thus being easily distinguishable from those characteristic of candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.

The unpleasant smell is similar to that of stale material, such as mold. Other signs and symptoms that should point towards trichomoniasis include the presence of intense itching in the vulva and significant burning when urinating.

If the problem is the urinary tract

Sometimes, the smell that is felt does not come directly from the vagina, but could come from the urine. When they are foul-smelling, especially if you notice an intense smell of ammonia, it is likely cystitis.

It is an infection caused by bacteria coming mainly from the perianal area, which reach the urethra and proliferate, often expanding to affect the bladder.

In addition to the unpleasant smell, another symptom associated with this ailment is intense burning when urinating.

Tailor-made therapy

Once you have identified the cause of the unpleasant odor, you can proceed to choose the appropriate treatment.

In case of bacterial infection, the gynaecologist will prescribe a therapy based on antibiotics, to be followed precisely throughout the indicated period.

To solve the problem of bad smell more quickly, you can associate a treatment based on prebiotic creams or gels. These are products based on:

– glycogen, which helps the proliferation of lactobacilli, thus reducing that of other pathogenic bacteria

– lactic acid, which acts by normalizing vaginal pH, favoring an acidic environment

Intimate hygiene and bad smell: what is better to avoid?

The first rule to avoid bad smells at the level of the intimate parts is undoubtedly to follow a very accurate and balanced personal hygiene.

It’s a good idea to avoid:

– perfumed intimate cleansers or talc that could contain substances with negative effects on any irritation already present in the vagina

– antiseptic products, as these could interfere with the natural balance of pH and vaginal bacterial flora.

Another enemy of intimate well-being is vaginal douches: the indiscriminate use of this practice could trigger annoying local irritations.

Intimate hygiene and bad smell: what is better to choose?

Choose a specific soap for intimate hygiene, without perfumes or deodorants, to wash the vulva every day.

It is also important to dedicate yourself to proper hygiene of the area near the anus, taking care not to transport any bacteria to the vagina, to avoid exposing yourself to the risk of vaginal infections or cystitis.

A good behavior to use is, in the bathroom, adjust the tap on warm water: even in this case, it is a small trick to protect you from burning or irritation.

Fighting bad smell with the right clothing

Avoid linen made of synthetic materials that are not very breathable, which form a warm-humid environment suitable for the proliferation of germs. Prefer cotton and, especially in case of infections, change often and make sure that in contact with the vulva there is always a clean and dry tissue.

It is better to choose white underwear, so as to limit the dyes of the fabrics that in contact with sweat can irritate the skin. It is also important that panties and pants are comfortable, not too tight at the level of the genitals.

A separate discussion deserve the sanitary pads: in case of infection, it is better to change them often, for the reasons mentioned above. It is also very important to be careful when using tampons: never keep them for more than 8 hours. Better to change them every 6 hours. The reason? Avoid that a prolonged stay in the vagina can favor the onset of irritation.