If you’ve ever got a whiff of your period blood while changing, you know that it smells far from pleasant. Unfortunately, this odour is just another regular period affliction that we all have to deal with. While the coppery-sweaty smell isn’t a cause of worry, the rotten, fishy smell could be your body’s way of telling you that something’s off. So in case your period blood odour is getting way out of order, here’s what you need to know:
What Causes Bad Smelling Periods?
Folks, these five possible reasons could be to blame for bad smelling period blood. Take a look:
Bacteria In The Vagina
The vagina is a self-cleansing organ. It has a host of good bacteria that help keep infections and harmful bacteria at bay to keep it healthy naturally. Sometimes a minor shift in the amount of these bacteria can make your period smell stronger than usual. These fluctuations are a part and parcel of matters down there and usually not a cause of concern.
Poor Intimate Hygiene
A salty or onion-like smell of period blood could indicate poor intimate hygiene. The excess sweat and dirt buildup in your intimate area can lend its smell to the period blood and make its odour stronger.
Vaginal Infection
Vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis and fungal infections can make your period blood smell fishy. It happens when the harmful bacteria outweigh the good bacteria or if there’s fungal growth inside the vagina. In case of a vaginal infection, the fishy odour is usually accompanied by cottage-cheese-like vaginal discharge mixed with period blood, painful intercourse, itching in and around the vagina, and a burning sensation while peeing.
Overused Tampon/Pad
Bad smelling period blood can also be a result of a completely-soaked pad/tampon. It usually causes a rotten smell and people with a heavy period flow or those who don’t change their period aids on time are particularly prone to it.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Most STIs have latent symptoms for a long time before you’re finally able to detect them. However, if your period blood has a pus-like smell and is accompanied by greenish-yellow vaginal discharge, it could be due to an STI. Having unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners can increase the risk of contracting an STI.
How To Deal With Bad Smelling Period Blood?
Now that you know what causes bad smelling period blood, let’s understand how to combat this issue. Follow these four strategies to keep your period blood from smelling bad:
Steer Clear Of Scented Products
Ironically, the best way to deal with bad smelling period blood is to steer clear of vaginal scents, scented intimate cleansers, and douching. While douching can wipe out the protective bacteria and make you more prone to vaginal infections, scented products can irritate your vagina and disturb its pH. It’s best to leave your self-cleansing vagina alone for good.
Maintain Proper Intimate Hygiene
Surely, your vagina needs no cleansing. But the areas surrounding it–the vulva, groin, and pubic mound need to be washed and cleansed with a mild soap once-twice a day. Doing so can keep your intimate area fresh and clean and keep your period blood from smelling salty.
Change Your Pads/Tampons On Time
The cardinal rule of using tampons and sanitary pads effectively is to change them every three-four hours. However, if your period flow is heavy, you can change every two hours or simply switch to a menstrual cup that can keep you covered for eight hours straight. This can prevent rotten smell in your period blood and keep your intimate area fresh too.
Ask Your Doc
If you notice a very strong odour in your catamenia along with symptoms like unusual, coloured vaginal discharge, and pain during peering and sex, you must consult with your doc. This could be a sign of infection and needs immediate medical intervention.
Sirona Recommends Best Products To Combat Bad Smelling Period Blood
Sirona Refreshing Intimate Wash
Made with natural ingredients like Tasmanian pepper fruit, this product is carefully crafted to clean your intimate area thoroughly. It has a unique eco-certified purifying technology which makes it gentle on the skin but harsh on the germs and dirt buildup down there. The cleanser does the job without disturbing your genital skin’s natural acidic mantle and leaves the area fresh and squeaky clean in a jiffy.
Sirona Intimate Wipes
Packed with plant and fruit extracts, these intimate wipes are a saviour when you feel damp and uncomfortable down there while on the go. You can simply toss one out of the pack and clean up your genital area in a jiffy. They’re hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, and extremely gentle on the sensitive genital skin.
Sirona Menstrual Cup
The Sirona Menstrual Cup is made with 100% medical-grade silicone and is dermatologically tested. This funnel-shaped device is super-safe to use and has a whopping capacity of 28 ml. It gives leak proof protection for eight hours straight and keeps your intimate area fresh all day long.
Folks, bad smelling period blood isn’t always a cause of concern as period blood has its own natural odour. However, if the smell is too strong, you must not delay that much-needed appointment with your gynae.
Featured Image: Pexels
Also Read
Intimate Care: Here’s every product you’ll ever need for proper intimate care
Intimate Wash: Here’s the best intimate wash for your sensitive genital skin.
Intimate Hygiene tips: Follow these intimate-hygiene tips to keep your genitals in the pink of health.
