Foul-smelling vaginal discharge is often caused by infection, including sexually transmitted diseases like trichomoniasis, or bacterial vaginosis. It can also be caused by the presence of a foreign body, such as a forgotten tampon. Symptoms may include itching, pain, and abnormal bleeding.
The most common cause of a foul-smelling vaginal discharge is infection. For example, some types of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause a discharge that smells bad, although some may cause no symptoms at all. Interestingly, however, a woman can have an infection that is not sexually transmitted but still causes an unpleasant odor. This can occur, for example, when bacteria normally found in the vagina grow excessively and cause infections. Sometimes the unpleasant odor is also caused by the presence of a foreign body, such as a tampon that has been left in the vagina for too long.
Most women have a slight natural odor in the vaginal area which can also extend to the secretions. In most cases, however, this discharge isn’t considered foul-smelling; it is usually quite mild in smell. If a woman has a foul-smelling discharge, however, it could be a sign of some type of infection. Some of the infections that can cause foul-smelling discharge are sexually transmitted, but many are not.
One of the most common causes of foul-smelling vaginal discharge is an infection called trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis is sexually transmitted and caused by a parasite. The discharge that develops when a woman is infected is often grayish, yellowish, or even greenish in color and usually has a watery consistency. A woman may also have itching in the area when she has this infection, as well as pain or bleeding during or after intercourse. Pain when urinating and swelling of the vaginal area may also occur.
Bacterial vaginosis is another infection that can cause a foul-smelling, whitish or grayish discharge. This infection develops when bacteria normally found in the vagina grow excessively. It is not always spread through sexual activity, as some people who are not sexually active develop it. In addition to the uncomfortable discharge typical of this infection, a woman may experience vaginal itching, pain or burning when urinating or intercourse, and abnormal vaginal bleeding when she has this infection.
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge can also develop due to the presence of a foreign body in the vagina. For example, if a woman forgets to wear a tampon after her period ends, she could go undetected for a significant amount of time. Eventually, it can cause an infection, with symptoms such as vaginal discharge that smells bad and is also brownish or black.
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