Vaginal Odour During Pregnancy: What to Know

Hormonal changes can alter vaginal discharge and the balance of normal bacteria. Odour may also be affected by sweat, urine, sex, or a small amount of blood. Smell alone cannot identify the cause, so avoid treating yourself with leftover medicines or inserting cleansing products.

Bacterial vaginosis commonly presents with a fishy smell and thin, greyish-white discharge; it can be more noticeable after sex. Thrush usually presents with itching, soreness, and thick white discharge, and it does not typically cause a strong smell. Trichomoniasis and other sexually transmitted infections can present with an unpleasant odour, changed discharge, irritation, or pain when passing urine. These conditions require different tests and treatments.

A forgotten tampon or another retained object can also cause a marked smell. Mention pregnancy when arranging care, because the clinician may choose pregnancy-appropriate testing and treatment.

Wash the outer genital area gently with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented product if needed, then pat dry. Keep the area cool and dry, change out of damp clothing, and choose breathable underwear. Do not douche or use scented sprays, wipes, deodorants, or antiseptics inside the vagina; they can irritate tissue and disturb the normal bacterial balance.

Contact your midwife, obstetric clinician, or gynaecology service if the odour persists or is accompanied by discharge, itching, burning, pelvic discomfort, or urinary symptoms. Testing may involve a swab or urine sample. Use treatment only as directed for pregnancy. If an infection is diagnosed, follow the prescribed course; treatment options may include antibiotic treatment for pelvic infection when that is the clinician's diagnosis.

Seek urgent maternity or medical advice for vaginal odour with fever, chills, feeling very unwell, severe or worsening lower abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or fluid leaking from the vagina. Contact your maternity team promptly if you notice reduced fetal movement after you have been advised how to monitor it, or if contractions or other signs of labour concern you.

Arrange a clinical review soon for a new persistent smell, green or yellow discharge, pain during sex, sores, marked itching, or burning when urinating. A retained tampon should be removed by a clinician if you cannot remove it easily or are unsure whether one is present.

You could ask: Could this be bacterial vaginosis, thrush, or another infection? Which tests are suitable during pregnancy? Is the recommended treatment safe at my stage of pregnancy? Could my partner need testing or treatment? Which symptoms should prompt a same-day call to the maternity team?