Is It Ok If My Period Blood Smell Bad?
Period is that one word that we women deliberately hate. I mean, why not? Six days of constant agonizing pain. And that is not just it. There are cramps, excessive bleeding, mood swings, and whatnot. I mean, Mother Nature could have just pinged us up on WhatsApp to let us know that we were not pregnant, but no – the rest of the troubles had to be there. However, if you already despise the issues you face with your period, I have something more for you – period blood smell.
While a lot of us were only aware of the color of the period blood, apparently, the smell matters, too, it says a lot about your menstrual cycle and the health of your body as a whole. There are many reasons for period blood smell. If you notice any of these smells to be very frequent while you are menstruating, it may be time that you visit your gynae as soon as possible.
So, without worrying you anymore, let us get into the details of period blood smell and see what you can do to get rid of it.
What Does Period Blood Smell Like Generally?
Menstruation is the process where blood and tissues are shed from the lining of the uterine wall and pass through the vagina. It occurs in women when the egg releases during ovulation and does not fertilize to end up in pregnancy.
The menstrual fluid that our body discards generally comprises the unfertilized egg, blood, and tissues from the uterine lining. All of these combined will definitely have a smell to it.
Most women notice for their period blood smell metallic. It is because of the presence of iron in the blood. However, there are numerous bacteria that are present in the vagina, along with their own acidic content. They play a major role in determining the period of blood smell and its color.
The natural pH of the vagina in an average woman is between 3.8 – 4.5, which is acidic. A pH level of 7 is what we call neutral. It is the presence of blood, urine, or even semen in the vagina which alters the pH of the vagina, causing it to affect the way period blood smells.
The vagina is a breeding ground for many good bacteria, including Lactobacillus. When this environment gets disrupted, it may cause problems such as infections.
Now, we shall go through the multiple ways in which period blood may smell and their possible causes.
Period Blood Smell Like Death
The smell of your period blood will change from one month to the other. It is a biological process; therefore, it is widespread for it to change every month.
Many women complain that their period blood smells like death. This, however, is not something concerning. This strong smell is mainly because of the tissues and blood that exit the vagina along with other bacteria.
However, this rotten smell of death should not be so strong that others maybe able to detect it. To control the smell, you may try changing your pads or tampons pretty frequently, mainly on days with heavy flow.
You may notice that the rotten smell also occurs when you leave in a tampon for too long or wear a pad for long hours. So, changing them from time to time may help you reduce the rotten smell of period blood.
Period Blood Smell Fishy
A lot of women complain that their period blood smells fishy when they menstruate. Unlike the other natural odors, the fishy smell of period blood is an indication of a medical problem and that you need to check with a doctor. This odor is mostly common with a type of infection known as Bacterial Vaginosis. It is considerably stronger than your regular period blood smell.
If you have bacterial vaginosis, these are the symptoms that you may witness along with the fishy smell:
- Burning, mainly during urinating
- Itchiness
- Irritation
- Vaginal discharge other than menstrual bleeding
While you may notice bacterial vaginosis while menstruating, periods are not one of its causes, it mainly happens due to an extreme growth of vaginal bacteria.
Bacterial vaginosis is curable with antibiotics. Once the number of bacteria balances out, you will not notice any fishy smell or any discharge anymore.
Other Changes In Period Blood Smell
There are many other ways in which your period blood smell can change during your menstrual cycle. It happens when you do not maintain good hygiene or practice healthy habits during your menstrual cycle.
Practicing healthy habits like eating good food and drinking adequate water can help you normalize your period blood smell.
When Should You Check In With A Doctor?
While some period blood smells are normal, others are not. When things get out of hand, it may be time that you need to see a doctor. You never know if there is something more serious, and the smell of your period blood is just the beginning of it.
Here are some of the symptoms: if you experience an unusual odor, you must check in with a doctor as soon as possible:
- Green or yellow vaginal fluids
- Bleeding, which gets heavier than usual
- Pelvic or stomach pain
- Cramps which are more horrible than normal
- Fever
Minimizing Period Blood Smell
There is nothing to frown about if you are having period blood odor. Things concerning your body will have different smells as per the rules of biology. However, there are ways in which you may be able to minimize the smell for your own benefit.
Change Your Tampon Or Pad Pretty Frequently:
This is the best thing that you may do if you are not having an infection. How often you need to change your pad will depend on how heavy your flow is. As per experts, it is healthy to change your pads every 5 to 6 hours for an odorless period.
Menstrual Cups:
These are reusable silicon cups that you insert inside your vagina. It collects the period’s blood rather than absorbing it. You can easily clean and reuse your menstrual cup for at least ten years.
Proper Hygiene:
The vagina is a self-cleaning entity. So, it is better if you just rinse it clean with water when you take a bath. Lukewarm water is the best option here. Never use any chemical products as they change the pH balance of your vagina and cause infection. Stay hydrated during your periods and wear clothes that help your body breathe.
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