Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Gray/off-white creamy discharge that smells fishy: If the smelly discharge after period is off-white or gray in color, is creamy and smells fishy, then it could be from bacterial vaginosis. Replens vaginal moisturizers and lubes claim to help with symptoms of vaginal dryness but do these products actually work? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This is because period blood contains iron. If you experience spotting instead of your normal period, it could be due to a number of different things. Allow this to boil for 10 minutes and turn off the stove. Menstrual cups can be worn for an extended period of time (up to 10-12 hours). 10 Zyrtec Side Effects You Should Know About, 13 Best Prenatal Vitamins Of 2023, Per Doctors, Meghann Fahy's Workout & Wellness Routines, How To Get Rid Of Any Kind Of Stomach Pain, What Are Intrusive Thoughts? You may see red, brown, and even black blood during your period. Black, Brown, Bright Red, and More: What Does Each Period Blood Color Mean? Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Avoid scented products. While most odors are healthy, some may be signs of an infection. Learn more about some of the common odors associated with periods, and which symptoms warrant a doctors visit. Change sanitary pads and tampons frequently. You do not need to use a special soap made for your genitals; these are a marketing gimmick meant to exploit your self-consciousness about your period. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Another reason for smelly discharge after period could be a forgotten tampon. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause brown discharge or spotting outside of your period. "Started my period yesterday and wasn't shocked as a few days before I'd got severe stomach cramps and I am 13. Thanks wikiHow for educating me on how to stay fresh during my periods!!! Pelvic inflammatory disease. Use the recommended amount of detergent and be sure you wash everything, including your underwear, daily. Spray the mixture onto your armpits. Here are nine possible causes for yellow discharge before your period, plus signs that you should see a doctor. Garlic: Garlic has natural antibiotic properties and it kills bacteria and reduces odors. They may even have a slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria. Good hygiene practices can also combat normal period odors and make you more comfortable during menstruation. They may even have a slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria. Eating too much sugar can also lead to an overproduction of yeast. Smelly, brown discharge: If you experience smelly, brown discharge after menses, then it is quite possible that it is caused by some bacteria. This article has been viewed 533,314 times. Find out what could be causing it and how to prevent it in the future. Last Updated: June 12, 2021 Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Some women like the convenience of only dealing with having a period a few times per year. You may have bacterial vaginosis if the fishy smell is accompanied by: Bacterial vaginosis may be noticeable during your period, but its not caused by your menstrual cycle. Stringy period blood usually means you're at the heaviest part of your menstrual cycle. Good. This website helped me numerous, "This has helped me a lot! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, menstrual odor can be an especially annoying, as well as potentially embarrassing, issue for lots of people. This article was co-authored by Carrie Noriega, MD. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1864780-v4-728px-Cope-With-Your-Period-on-Vacation-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"