Content
The appearance of smelly vaginal discharge is a warning sign for women, as it is usually indicative of bacterial or parasitic infections and which can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact or direct contact with secretions.
The stench of the discharge is similar to the smell of rotten fish and usually comes with other symptoms such as itching, burning when urinating, yellow-green color and pain during sexual intercourse, it is advisable to see a gynecologist to identify the causes and treat the problem .
Main causes
The release of secretions through the vagina is normal due to the cell renewal process. However, when the discharge happens excessively or frequently and is accompanied by a bad smell and other symptoms, such as pain when peeing or burning in the vagina, for example, it is a sign of vaginal imbalance, it is important to consult the gynecologist.
The main causes of smelly vaginal discharge are:
- Bacterial vaginosis, which corresponds to an infection in the vagina normally caused by the bacteria Gardnerella sp. which leads to the appearance of yellow or grayish discharge and a strong and unpleasant smell similar to rotten fish
- Trichomoniasis, which is a vaginal infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and is characterized by the presence of yellow-green discharge and a strong smell;
- Gonorrhea, which is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae and that leads to the appearance of brown discharge.
Candidiasis is one of the main causes of vaginal infection and discharge in women, however it does not result in discharge with a bad smell. Find out what are the causes of discharge in women.
Check out the following video on how to correctly identify what smelly discharge may be:
Smelly discharge remedy
The remedy for smelly discharge depends on its causes, and the gynecologist may recommend the use of oral tablets, vaginal eggs and ointments to apply directly to the vagina.
It is important to note that the duration of treatment depends on the severity and type of discharge and the partner may also need treatment, in addition, it is generally recommended by the gynecologist that intimate contact is avoided until the infection is cured. See which remedies are indicated for each type of discharge.
Home treatment options
A good home treatment to reduce the discomfort caused by a smelly discharge is a sitz bath with guava leaves, as it has antibiotic properties.
Ingredients:
- 30g of guava leaves
- 1 liter of water
Preparation mode:
Boil 1 liter of water, turn off the heat after boiling, add 30g of guava leaves and close the pan for 3 to 5 minutes. Then strain it to remove the leaves and place all the tea in a bowl.
When it is at a tolerable temperature, sit in the basin without clothes to do a sitz bath, washing the entire genital area carefully until the water cools. Repeat the procedure 2 to 3 times a day.
In addition to the sitz bath with guava leaves, some changes in the diet, such as consuming more fruits, vegetables, and natural yogurt, can help in reducing the discharge with a bad smell because they facilitate the rebalancing of the bacterial flora of the female genital organ.
If the bad smell persists after treatment with the tea for a few days, it is important that a bacteriological examination of the discharge be carried out by a gynecologist, to identify the offending agent and to properly treat the case.