Vaginal odor is normal and, in many cases, healthy.
Vaginal odor doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.
Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Odor
Several health issues can lead to unpleasant vaginal odor.
Jan Hakan Dahlstrom / Getty Images
Three common conditions are bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and yeast infection.
People sometimes report individual responses to certain foods, such as pineapple, and vaginal odor.
There’s some evidence that garlic, onion, and other allium foods can affect body odor in general.
Douching, though, upsets the healthy bacteria in the vagina and leads to infection or irritation.
BV and trichomoniasis can increase the risk of an STI or lead to pregnancy complications.
Some people with PID show no symptoms, while others have symptoms that range from mild to serious.
Lab tests may be needed to check vaginal fluid for infection.
PID can develop quickly, with extreme pain and fever.
Summary
Some degree of vaginal odor is normal.
Bacterial vaginosis, trich, or yeast infections are common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor.
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