Home Remedies for Fishy Odors From Your Body

If your goal is to smell nice or not at all, it can be frustrating when your body sabotages your plans and starts exhibiting all the strange smells. It may feel like there’s no way to control odors from your body, but the key is in pinpointing where they’re coming from. 

Some scents, like sweat, are a regular part of life (although there are still ways to counteract sweat smell with body washes, deodorants, and refreshing sprays). Others, you can overcome.

If you’re smelling a fishy scent coming from your vagina, don’t panic. First, you need to identify the cause. There are things that may support the odors you’re experiencing. We’ll get you smelling like yourself again. 

What Causes a Fishy Vaginal Smell?

There are a number of reasons why your vagina may be exhibiting an unpleasant odor. A fishy vaginal smell can indicate something is off with your vaginal ecosystem. 

Here are some common causes that may cause an odor:

Imbalanced Vaginal pH

Your gut needs a healthy amount of good bacteria to balance your pH and promote smooth digestion. The same is true for your vaginal area. 

Genitals have their own ideal pH range. For the vagina, it’s on the acidic end of the spectrum. If your pH becomes too alkaline, you may experience odd symptoms, including smell.

Lots of factors contribute to an imbalanced vaginal flora. Menstruation and period blood, hormonal changes (including menopause), antibiotics, semen, and douching can all influence its pH level.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. A mix of good and bad bacteria lives in the vagina. 

An imbalance leads to your PH being off, which is also how bacterial vaginosis starts. This infection could be the cause of your fishy smell, as strong-smelling discharge is one of its key indicators.

Although BV isn’t an STD, sexual intercourse can increase the chance of getting a vaginal infection. Also, having BV ups your likelihood of getting an STD. Make sure to get treated for BV right away.

Yeast Infection

A yeast infection is created from an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. Some of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are the same, like itchiness, sensitive skin, pain while urinating, and vaginal discharge. However, if you have a yeast infection, expect a thick, white discharge that doesn’t have much of a scent.

It can be tricky to distinguish between vaginal irritations, and self-diagnosis is never wise. Your doctor will be able to determine if you have a yeast infection.

Irritating Products

Sometimes your vagina is irritated for a simple reason: the products you’re using. Wearing tight clothing or underwear made from synthetic fabrics can upset the delicate skin around your vulva and vagina. 

The products you use on and in your genitals can lead to irritation and disrupt your PH. Lubricants, soaps, body wash, underwear, pads and tampons, and toilet paper are all products you might not have known can lead to an unhappy vagina, hence the smell.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases (STDs) can create a fishy smell, as well as pain or burning when urinating, discharge, itchiness, or rashes. However, sometimes they come with no symptoms, which makes them easy to spread.

The most common STD known to produce a fishy smell is trichomoniasis. Talk to your healthcare provider for help healing an STI because although they can be severe, they’re also treatable.

How Can I Manage a Fishy Vaginal Odor?

Some causes of an upset vagina are more serious than others, but fortunately, there are some simple changes you can make that will go a long way in increasing your vaginal health. What at-home treatments can you use for fishy vaginal odor? 

Let’s explore a few smart habits:

Follow Good Hygiene

The first rule for remedying an irritated vagina is following good hygiene practices and being consistent. Take care of your vagina like it’s an important organ essential to your body’s total wellness because it is!

Mostly, keep it clean. In the process of keeping your vagina clean, you’ll also help eliminate vagina smells.

Keep It Simple

When caring for your vulva, keep it simple. Use gentle products and warm water, and be mindful of what you use in the vagina and on the vulva. 

Clean your vagina regularly, but only as much as it needs. This means skipping the vaginal douching. As you know, you need good bacteria in your genitals, and douching can wipe out the good with the bad.

Although it may surprise you with its hardiness, the skin of your genital area is sensitive and prone to irritation. When choosing cleaning products, opt for those made with sensitivities in mind. Plant-derived, kind-to-skin ingredients will keep your vulva feeling (and smelling) fresh.

Support Your pH

You can keep your pH balanced by incorporating more prebiotic foods and probiotics like lactobacilli. These can be consumed through a healthy diet as well as probiotic supplements. Try to incorporate more acidic foods, like apple cider vinegar, kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, and kefir.

Dress for Success

Tight clothes and synthetic fabrics can irritate your vulva. Try to be mindful of how you’re dressing because it can impact your most sensitive region. The best rule of thumb is to try to space out the instances when you have to wear something that could cause friction.

For example, try not to wear tight pants multiple days in a row. The same goes for thongs. If you can give your vagina some breathing room, you’ll be less likely to battle a painful rash or irritation. And invest in some 100% cotton underwear for breathability and comfort.

Drink Lots of Water

Staying hydrated positively impacts your whole body, including your vagina. When you don’t consume enough liquid, your vagina can become dry, which makes it more prone to irritation and pain. Be sure to hydrate your body with enough fluids every day, especially when you’re sweating a lot.

When Should I Go to the Doc for Fishy Vaginal Odor?

Fortunately, there are many simple treatments you can use to create a happy vagina that doesn’t exhibit weird smells. But sometimes, the source of your vaginal odor might be serious, especially if it’s smelling fishy. Making changes to your routine can go a long way in restoring and maintaining a healthy vagina.

But it’s best to talk to your doctor or gynecologist if you suspect a serious cause of your vaginal smells. Their medical advice will steer you on the path toward a healthy vulva and vagina, and they may recommend medication.

The Facts

It can be simple to get rid of vaginal odor: pinpoint the source, have infections diagnosed, and follow a treatment plan. Add home remedies into the mix, and your honey pot will thrive better than before. 

Remember that your vagina can be sensitive, so it’s best to stick with gentle products and good hygiene.

Sources:

Bacterial Vaginosis – CDC Basic Fact Sheet | CDC

Fermented Foods, Health and the Gut Microbiome | National Library of Medicine

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) | NHS

Vaginal pH Value for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Vaginitis | National Library of Medicine