What Are Some Real-Life Scenarios of Abnormal Vaginal Odor?

After a course of antibiotics, vaginal discharge developed with ammonia like odor and irritation that persisted for months and has not resolved despite multiple treatments.

A fishy vaginal odor comes back within hours after showering.

You're worried other people around you can smell the odor.

It requires douching before intercourse to mask the odor.

Yellowish to green discharge requiring a pad. It has a definite odor which can vary from musky to fishy. It’s embarrassing; the thought of having sex is out of the question.

The odor reminds you of a dog or a horse; can be especially embarrassing at a public restroom where the odor can be noticed by women in the adjacent stalls.

What Causes an Abnormal Vaginal Odor?

Vaginal secretions are typically mild in strength. They can smell slightly sweet and/or sour. Abnormal vaginal odors can vary from a subtle musky odor perceived only by directly smelling the secretions, by yourself with underwear removed, to being perceived by sexual partners, to moderately malodorous where an odor can be perceived whenever much air gets to the area like sitting with legs separated… to very a fishy/pungent odor that can be noticed by others in close proximity including the woman in the next stall at a public restroom. It can be extremely embarrassing and deterrent to social activity.

Practitioners including gynecologists are traditionally trained to evaluate for 4 potential causes of vaginitis…but it’s NOT that simple; the list of causes does not stop there! In a moment, THE REST OF THE STORY! But first, here are the four diagnostic categories, one of which your practitioner may have suggested was your problem.  While your symptoms may mimic one of these four conditions, your actual diagnosis may not be any one of them!

1st Potential Diagnosis: “Bacterial Vaginosis.”  The commonly recommended treatment includes one or a combination of metronidazole (Flagyl®), Clindamycin, and or probiotics.

2nd Potential Diagnosis: “Yeast Infection.” Common treatments include over-the-counter antifungal creams or prescription antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan®) or terconazole (Terazol®) as well as gentian violet treatments, or boric acid suppositories.

3rd Potential Diagnosis: “Atrophic Vaginitis.” The common treatment is estrogen supplement for the vagina. The common medications include Estrace® cream, Vagifem®, Premarin® cream, or Estring®.

4th Potential Diagnosis: “Trichomonas.” This is a relatively common mobile parasite that is sexually transmitted. It is diagnoses by looking for the mobile organism in fresh vaginal secretions under the microscope. The condition is easily treated with antibiotics such as metronidiazole or tinidazole.

However, be advised that an abnormal vaginal odor may also be a sign of a more serious condition such as sexually transmitted diseases of Chlamydia or Neisseria Gonorrhea, or cancers of the uterus, cervix or rarely the vagina.  Be certain that you have had these causes excluded by your local provider before proceeding to register with FGI. The purpose of FGI is not to handle acute or recent onset vaginal symptoms when these more serious causes need to be excluded but to handle chronic vaginal odor for which you have been evaluated but not adequately addressed (meaning your local healthcare provider did not know what to do for you) or responded to therapy prescribed by local healthcare providers.