How to get rid of vaginal odour

Vaginal discharge can have a mild natural smell that changes with the menstrual cycle, sex or sweating. A strong fishy, foul or unfamiliar odour may occur with bacterial vaginosis, a sexually transmitted infection, a retained tampon or another vaginal or pelvic problem. It is not possible to identify the cause from smell alone.

Clues such as thin grey discharge, itching, soreness, pain when passing urine, pain during sex, bleeding after sex or lower abdominal pain help a clinician choose the right examination and test.

Wash the vulva gently with water or a mild unscented cleanser, dry thoroughly and change out of damp clothing. Avoid douching, vaginal deodorants, scented wipes and inserting home remedies, because they can irritate tissue and disturb the normal balance of bacteria. Use condoms until an infection has been ruled out if there is a new sexual partner or infection risk.

Book an appointment for a new, persistent or bothersome smell. A clinician may take a swab and offer treatment based on the result. Do not use leftover antibiotics or someone else's medicine; the wrong treatment may delay recovery and obscure the diagnosis.

Seek prompt medical care for odour with fever, worsening lower abdominal pain, vomiting, feeling faint, pain during pregnancy, or heavy or unusual bleeding. Arrange timely testing for discharge with sores, marked soreness, pain when passing urine or a possible retained tampon.

Ask which infections or irritations could explain the change, whether you need a swab or sexual-health tests, when treatment should improve the smell, and whether partners need assessment. Ask what symptoms mean you should return sooner.