What causes menstrual odor? Experts answer your questions

Normal menstruation has no odor, but some women find that their menstruation has a more obvious odor. This is most likely a symptom of vaginal infection. For example, the menstruation of patients with vaginitis will have a fishy odor. There may also be more complicated reasons.

1. Fishy odor after menstruation: Some vaginitis is caused by Haemophilus vaginalis, which has a special fishy odor. At the same time, there are also symptoms such as vaginal burning, pain, itching, and vulvar moisture.

2. There is a fishy smell after menstruation: In some cases of vaginitis caused by anaerobic bacteria, Trichomonas infection or Haemophilus vaginalis infection, there is often a fishy smell after menstruation.

3. Why is it easy to produce odor during menstruation?

The reason why menstruation produces an odor is mainly because it is mixed with blood, secretions from the uterine membrane and sebaceous glands, and sweat, so there is a more obvious odor. The best way to improve this situation is to improve your own hygiene first. The female reproductive system is very susceptible to infection, and the odor caused by the infection is even more embarrassing.

4. Many people like to wrap themselves tightly without ventilation during menstruation. Doing so is like adding fuel to the fire, which will only increase sweat penetration and sweat odor. Therefore, during menstruation, you should use cotton underwear and change sanitary napkins as often as possible, not more than 4 hours at a time, so as to reduce the contact between skin and wet sanitary napkins. When the menstrual blood volume is heavy, the frequency of changing sanitary napkins should be increased accordingly. More importantly, you must take a bath frequently during menstruation. If you don’t take a bath for more than two days, the “odor” is inevitable. Of course, it may not be the smell of menstrual blood, but may be your own body odor.

5. Menstrual odor is caused by inflammation

Under normal circumstances, menstruation should have no other odor except the smell of blood. If any other odor is emitted, it means there is inflammation. If the menstrual blood is black and has an odor, such as a rotten smell or the smell of rotten eggs, it is most likely caused by cervicitis or endometrial inflammation. The main cause of inflammation is the infection of menstrual blood, endometrial and sebaceous gland secretions and sweat. This is closely related to women's daily living habits and hygiene conditions.