how to get rid of period smell after period

She specializes in womens health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. I assume a similar tactic would work for period panties LanaLovesKitty 2 yr. ago The way your vagina stays healthy is by maintaining a certain environmental balance or pH. To wash the exterior folds of the vagina, use a gentle soap that wont alter pH levels. It is also a good idea to wear dark pants or skirts. All texts are contributed by our excellent writers. If you notice an abrupt change in your menstrual cycle, you may need to see a doctor. a warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three or four times a day to soothe pain and help draw out pus. As a general rule, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, will elicit a softer scent compared to greasy, fast foods. STD Facts - Bacterial Vaginosis. You might want to consider seeing a doctor to get checked for a vaginal infection, especially if the odor persists after your period ends. How to treat it: Practicing good vaginal and vulvar hygiene will help keep your vaginal microbiome healthy and help reduce intense smells during your period. Notice the smell of ammonia around your vagina? Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss antibiotic treatments to stop the infection. All rights reserved. Use unscented baby wipes for a quick way to freshen up on the go. Yoga may also help reduce premenstrual symptoms. But orange discharge may be a sign of a number of. Brown discharge after your period usually isnt a cause for concern as its nothing more than old, dried blood. With cloth pads, I rinse/wring them out until most of the blood is gone, then put them in the washer with baking soda in the prewash and vinegar in the fabric softener. A normal vaginal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is moderately acidic. 6. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman's hormone levels. Perimenopause is when your body begins to make the natural transition to menopause. Common causes of abnormal vaginal odors include: Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis often produce a fishy or chemical odor, while a forgotten tampon may begin to smell of rot., If you are concerned about vaginal odor, you will need to address the cause in order to get rid of it. Other odor changes during your period can include a sweaty gym smell or an odor of onions or salt. Infections in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy: Bacterial vaginosis: an update on diagnosis and treatment., Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners: Factors influencing womens decisions to self-treat vaginal symptoms., Mayo Clinic: Vaginal odor: When to see a doctor., Mayo Clinic: You dont need fancy products for good feminine hygiene., Office on Womens Health: Douching.. Other times brown discharge after a period is old blood from a previous period. She's also written extensively on gardening and cooking. The vagina is intensely acidic, naturally killing bad bacteria. Blood has a normal, slightly metallic smell to it. . Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Sometimes it can also be a sign of pregnancy. It can be thin and watery one day, and thick and clumpy the next. Smelly greenish discharge: If you have strong smelly greenish discharge after periods then it is possible that you are suffering from trichomoniasis caused by infection with Trichomonas vaginalis. If you experience any of the following, schedule an appointment with a doctor: In addition, if you smell a strong, fishy odor, you may have bacterial vaginosis (vaginal infection) or trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite). Because the odor has nothing to do with hygiene, says Lauren Streicher, M.D., Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. What Causes Yellow Discharge Before Your Period? I have been having a smelly vaginal discharge for the past 4 months after my periods. Avoid using a douche after sex. Most women have a musky or fleshy natural scent, but this varies from person to person. If your diet contains any of these or other pungent foods, consider eliminating the food to see if the smell improves. Another reason for smelly discharge after period could be a forgotten tampon. Just when you think your period is done, you wipe and find brown discharge. This is a treatment that is inserted directly into the vagina and is stated to stimulate the body to regain and maintain the correct balance which can eliminate odor. Blood that's sticky or clotting together is normal during this. They may even have a slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria. Stainless steel soap or even just rubbing your hands on stainless steel can help a lot, I've found. ", "I learned that ibuprofen helps reduce a long period. See additional information. BV causes a grayish-colored discharge and is accompanied by pain, redness, and itching. What Do Probiotics Have To Do With Your Vagina? These include: Other common symptoms to look out for include: If you miss a period, you may have brownish discharge in place of a regular period or have it sometime after your period would have ended. If infection is present, your doctor can help you clear up the infection and the odor. A "menstrual cycle" actually refers to the entire fertility cycle, usually 28 days, that results in a period once a month. As Gersh puts it, "A balanced diet makes for a healthy body, and that includes your vagina.". References Other signs and symptoms of early pregnancy include: While brown discharge after a period by itself usually isnt a big deal, it could indicate a problem when accompanied by other symptoms. The blood from a miscarriage can be red, but it can also be brown and resemble coffee grounds. Switch to Tampons or a Menstrual Cup Sanitary napkins frequently present a more noticeable smell. Menstrual cups can be worn for an extended period of time (up to 10-12 hours). When could brown discharge be the sign of a problem? Don't be afraid to ask a friend for a tampon or pad if you need one. It is recommended to get yourself checked with a gynecologist to find the underlying cause of the problem. Change your underwear if they become damp with sweat or fluid, or at least once a day. -By A period that lasts one or two days could be a sign of pregnancy, but there are many other reasons for a one- or two-day period. Bathe regularly to prevent future odors of this type. Instead of using perfume to mask the smell (guilty), Streicher tells her patients to try .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}RepHresh's Odor Eliminating Gel after their period, which helps the good bacteria flourish. Every month, your body prepares to become pregnant. Heres a rundown of what could cause brown discharge after your period finishes. Cleaning your vagina with warm water is sufficient. Period blood usually has some odor, but if you notice brown discharge with a strong odor, an STI is the most likely cause. You may also have cycles without ovulation. There are some alternatives that you can use, if you don't have cup wipes or a proper liquid wash at hand. For more information about your period from our gynecologist co-author like recognizing your bodys signals, scroll down. 10 Zyrtec Side Effects You Should Know About, 13 Best Prenatal Vitamins Of 2023, Per Doctors, Meghann Fahy's Workout & Wellness Routines, How To Get Rid Of Any Kind Of Stomach Pain, What Are Intrusive Thoughts? Try switching to a menstrual cup or tampon during your period, but be sure to change them frequently. Its completely normal for this combination to have a slight odor after it exits the vagina. I can always depend on it when I need, "Learning how to prepare for your first period was helpful. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Is there a way to get rid of old blood after period. While most odors are healthy, some may be signs of an infection. This article has been viewed 533,314 times. By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid420572-v4-728px-Choose-the-Correct-Menstrual-Cup-Size-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"