Can you have a fishy smell without BV?

Rarely, a fishy smell may indicate something else. It's unlikely but possible that a fishy smell is a symptom of something besides BV. The main possibility is trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite.

self.com - Here's What Could Be Going On If You Have Fishy Vaginal Odor

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Obviously, nobody wants to have a fishy smell wafting up from the general vicinity of their vagina. But many people experience a mysterious fishy vaginal smell at some point, prompting them to wonder why on earth their vagina smells like something other than...a vagina. Even though it may be less than lovely, a fishy vaginal smell is also kind of a helpful thing to notice. This unusual scent is typically a solid tip-off that something is off with your vaginal health, Lauren Streicher, M.D., an associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. If you’re dealing with a fishy vaginal smell and wondering what’s going on down there, here’s what you should know.

What’s the most common cause of fishy vaginal odor?

If you have a distinctly fishy smell emanating from your vagina, it’s highly likely that the cause is bacterial vaginosis (BV), Dr. Streicher says. BV is an infection that develops when the natural balance between the healthy and unhealthy bacteria that normally populate your vagina is thrown off by an overgrowth of bad bacteria, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. If you have BV, you’re in good company—it is the most common vaginal infection in women between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also mostly affects sexually active people. Although we don’t know how, exactly, sex contributes to developing BV, it is known that having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners can disturb the bacterial balance in the vagina and place you at an increased risk for BV, the CDC explains. Although some people with BV don’t have any symptoms, white or gray vaginal discharge with that signature fishy smell is indeed a common sign of the condition, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The fish-like smell might be especially noticeable after sex, the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) explains, and accompanying discharge may be foamy or watery. Other symptoms include itchiness in and outside the vagina and burning when you urinate, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Fortunately, BV is simple to diagnose and treat. Along with a physical exam, your doctor will take a sample of vaginal discharge to check for harmful bacteria indicating BV, the OWH explains. Treatment is straightforward: Prescription antibiotics in the form of a pill or vaginal cream, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. (And while any sex partners with penises don’t have to worry about getting BV, sex partners who have vaginas do, according to the OWH. They should see a doctor in case they also have it.)

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There are a few things you can do in the meantime to help reduce further vaginal discomfort or irritation. They include staying out of hot tubs, using unscented pads or tampons if you’re on your period (fragrance can be irritating), and sticking to breathable cotton underwear, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Another big one: Don’t wash inside your vagina. It’s a self-cleaning organ. (Thanks, discharge!) While it’s OK to use a mild, gentle soap on your vulva, don’t put soap of any kind into your actual vagina—it can just cause further irritation.

Rarely, a fishy smell may indicate something else.

It’s unlikely but possible that a fishy smell is a symptom of something besides BV. The main possibility is trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite. It can create a foul-smelling vaginal discharge that is white, gray, yellow, or green, in addition to genital itching, redness, burning, and pain when you pee or have sex, the Mayo Clinic says. Ob/gyn Jessica Shepherd, M.D., director of minimally invasive gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, tells SELF that a fishy odor isn’t required for a trichomoniasis diagnosis, but it’s a possibility. “You can have an odor, but it’s not typical,” Dr. Shepherd says. “But if you do have an odor, it could be fishy.” Like BV, trichomoniasis is typically diagnosed by testing a vaginal fluid sample and treated with antibiotics, the Mayo Clinic says.

self.com - Here's What Could Be Going On If You Have Fishy Vaginal Odor

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