Vaginal Smell During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatments

Vaginal odor in pregnancy can change because of hormonal shifts, increased vaginal discharge, or an infection such as bacterial vaginosis (BV). A stronger smell does not always mean something is wrong, but a fishy or unpleasant odor with itching, burning, or unusual discharge should be checked by a healthcare professional. WHO reports that BV affects an estimated 23-29% of women of reproductive age globally, making it a common cause of abnormal vaginal odour (1).

Understanding vaginal smell during pregnancy can help you recognise what may be normal and what needs attention. This article covers common causes, safe remedies, prevention tips, and when to contact your doctor.

Is it Normal to Have Vaginal Odour During Pregnancy?

Yes, vaginal odour can be normal during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can increase vaginal discharge and alter its usual smell. In fact, many pregnant women notice a change in vaginal odour, particularly during early pregnancy. However, a strong, unpleasant or fishy smell, especially when accompanied by itching, irritation, or unusual discharge, may indicate an infection and should be checked by a healthcare professional (2).

What Causes Vaginal Smell During Pregnancy?

A strong vaginal odour during pregnancy may be due to altered pH balance, sweat, infections, hormonal and dietary changes, etc. If the cause is not a medical condition, then the odour will disappear once you deliver the baby. Women who are not pregnant can also have a smelly vagina because of sweat and dietary changes.

Various causes of vaginal odour include the following –

1. Infections

Vaginal infections during pregnancy can lead to strong or foul odour. A yeast infection is caused by the excessive multiplication of naturally occurring fungi in the vagina. This causes persistent itchiness and a discharge with a smelly odour. Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by the proliferation of bacteria in the vagina. It might lead to a foul-smelling discharge during pregnancy (3).

2. Dietary Changes

Dietary changes during pregnancy is also one of the causes of the smelly vagina during pregnancy. For instance, if you consume more garlic or spicy foods during pregnancy, it could change the odour of your vaginal discharge.

3. Changes in the pH Levels

The normal pH level of the vagina is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is in the acidic range. This acidic pH is caused by beneficial bacteria or natural vaginal flora that lives in the vagina and produces lactic acid (4). During pregnancy, the excess blood supply to the vaginal region causes this pH to change. This makes the vagina vulnerable to bacterial infections such as vaginitis and can lead to fishy or foul-smelling discharge from the vagina.

4. Hormonal Changes

A woman’s body undergoes a lot of hormonal changes during pregnancy. While pregnant, there is a sudden increase in the production of the two hormones progesterone and oestrogen (5). This dramatic increase in the two hormones helps in the formation of the placenta and provides the baby with nourishment. When a woman is pregnant, her prolactin levels will also increase, which will later help in the production of breast milk. These hormonal changes can increase vaginal discharge and make it smelly.

5. STDs or Viruses

Herpes simplex and other viruses that cause STDs could be blamed for your offensive odour.

6. Poor Hygiene

Using chemical-based products, wipes, and sprays and not taking a bath for several days can contribute to vaginal odour.

How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odour While Pregnant?

Vaginal odour and smelly discharge can be treated and prevented in the following ways (6):

1. Stay Clean and Dry

While pregnant, you should ensure that your vagina stays clean and dry. Shower more frequently and clean the vagina with lukewarm water. You can also use a mild soap or a feminine hygiene wash if prescribed by a doctor. Also, keep the pubic hair short and neat.

2. Avoid Using Cosmetics

Avoid using cosmetics like scented feminine sprays, vaginal wipes, etc. Also avoid using any products like soaps that are harsh on the skin and can strip away the natural bacteria living in the vagina, making it vulnerable to infections.

3. Wear Cotton Underwear

Ditch the synthetic underwear and opt for cotton ones instead. Wearing soft cotton underwear will allow the skin down there to breathe well and absorb the excess sweat.

4. Try Changing Your Diet

Making dietary changes during pregnancy is inevitable. Include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Avoid eating spicy foods or food containing excess garlic. This may alter the smell of sweat and reduce vaginal odour.

5. Take Medicines Prescribed By Your Doctor

In case an infection is causing the vaginal odour, consult a doctor and take the medicines prescribed by your doctor.

6. Stay Hydrated

To lessen the ammonia smell and promote healthy sweating and fluid release, ensure you drink lots of water. Pregnant women should consume 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluids daily.

7. Avoid Wearing Clothing That Is Too Tight

Although yoga pants can be very comfortable, especially during pregnancy, choosing clothing that will allow your lady bits to breathe is preferable.

When to Visit a Doctor

While the cause for foul vaginal smell during pregnancy may be simple things like sweat or dietary changes, it is important to consult a doctor to ensure that that you don’t have any infections or other conditions that can harm the baby. In the following circumstances, you should consult a qualified medical professional:

1. Persistent Foul Odour

Sometimes, a foul odour may persist for a long time during pregnancy. If it is accompanied by yellow or green discharge, you should consult a doctor. A green or yellow discharge is usually a sign of yeast or bacterial infection and should not be taken lightly.

2. Uncontrollable Itching

Irritation or uncontrollable itching in the vagina is also a sign of microbial infection, and it is advisable to consult a gynaecologist immediately.

3. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases can also cause excessive vaginal discharge with a strong odour. A gynaecologist can prescribe medication to treat such conditions and make sure that you and your baby stay healthy (7).

4. Pain and Inflammation

Experiencing pain or burning sensation during intercourse or urination is a sign of an infection. Inflammation and itching are warning signs of an infection and you should see your doctor right away.

5. Other Signs

If you notice blood in the vaginal discharge; if it has a cottage cheese-like appearance; if it smells fishy or is greenish or yellowish in colour, it is a sign that something is wrong. You should consult a doctor right away.

Prevention Tips

Good hygiene may prevent the occurrence of foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Here are some tips that you can follow to prevent smelly discharge:

1. Stay hydrated: One of the best ways to prevent the vagina from smelling bad is staying hydrated. Drink at least 2-3 litres of fluids daily.
2. Wipe from front to back: Always wipe from the vagina toward the anus to lower the chances of spreading faecal bacteria to your vagina.
3. Do not douche: Douching can irritate the vaginal tissues and allow the bacteria to enter your urinary tract and spread infection. You can clean your vagina with lukewarm water. Using sprays or scented soaps is not required.

FAQs

1. Should I worry if I notice a stronger vaginal smell?

Not necessarily. If you are pregnant with vaginal odor that is mild and not accompanied by other symptoms, it may simply be related to normal pregnancy changes. Persistent or unpleasant odor should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

2. Can vaginal odor be an early sign of pregnancy?

Changes in discharge and scent can occur as hormones change, but early pregnancy vaginal odor is not a reliable way to confirm pregnancy. A missed period and a pregnancy test are more dependable indicators.

3. Can I use home remedies to get rid of vaginal odor?

Avoid putting ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, yogurt, or other substances inside the vagina. These remedies can disrupt the vaginal environment. If an infection is causing the odor, your healthcare professional can recommend a pregnancy-safe treatment.

4. Is vaginal smell and pregnancy-related discharge always a cause for concern?

No. Increased vaginal discharge is common during pregnancy and may have a mild natural scent. However, a fishy or foul odor, especially with itching, burning, or unusual discharge, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

A foul-smelling vagina during pregnancy could mean just about anything. It could be something as harmless as hormonal fluctuations or it could be a sign of an infection. Thankfully, there are plenty of remedies that can help reduce the smell or eliminate it completely. If you have smelly vaginal discharge, make sure that you maintain proper hygiene. However, if the problem persists, consulting a doctor would be your best bet.

Also Read:

Watery Discharge during Pregnancy
Jelly Like Discharge in Pregnancy
Vaginal Swelling while Pregnant

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Sources References

1. World Health Organization – Bacterial vaginosis

2. Cleveland Clinic – Vaginal Odor

3. Cleveland Clinic – Bacterial Vaginosis

4. Cleveland Clinic – Vaginal pH

5. Johns Hopkins Medicine – Hormones During Pregnancy

6. Cleveland Clinic – Home Remedies for Vaginal Odor

7. Cleveland Clinic – Sexually Transmitted Infections