How we perceive period blood is a highly personal experience to each woman, just how unique your body is and how it responds to you. The odour of menstrual blood can vary drastically with each person. While some of us are completely neutral to the smell, some tend to feel embarrassed and anxious if the smell starts to waft. Here’s where it begins — the endless series of questioning your health, your shower routine and even your period products.
The real reason why your period blood smells is that blood naturally has an odour to it. But menstrual blood specifically, is made partly of tissue as well as blood which gives it that texture and also its smelly characteristics. While this is purely natural, there are a few other reasons why it might seem like your period is particularly pungent.
A Checklist To Rule Out
Use this list to observe the smell of your period blood:
- Metallic Smell is caused by the iron content in your blood that breaks down while it is discharging.
- Fishy Smell is often linked to bacterial vaginosis (BV). This occurs due to overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis. These can produce volatile gas like trimethylamine. If this smell persists, you know it’s time to visit the gynaecologist.
- Rotten Smell usually is because of a retained tampon or foreign object. Bacteria breaking down blood and tissue trapped in the tampon can release sulfur compounds, which have a rotten odor. A situation like this might escalate to complications and needs instant care.
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Foul or Musky Smell is mainly because of the sweat and sebum mixing with menstrual blood. This could be caused by poor hygiene.
4 Steps to Tackle a Vaginal Odour During Your Period
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1. Use of No-Fragrance Menstrual Products
While scented products give you a sense of freshness and fun, your vagina is a sensitive space that doesn’t mix well with artificial scents.
- Scented menstrual products especially can end up causing more harm than good.
- The artificial scents in the product break down with the period blood creating a mix that is unhealthy to stay around your sensitive vaginal area.
- It is always best to opt for products that don’t come with fragrance, just like your skincare product choices.
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2. A Healthy Gut & Good Dietary Choices
A major part of your period cycle depends on how healthy your diet is and how you prioritise yourself.
- Your relationship with food impacts a lot of factors – from your period flow, the nature of cramps, the duration of your period and also the way it smells.
- Some dietary choices can result in a foul smell during your period. Certain foods like fish, coffee and garlic can add to the body odour.
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It is necessary to rule out the possibilities of food causing the odour and understand if these foods are causing unnecessary harm to your body.
Foods like garlic can add to body odour thus worsening the smell of your period blood.
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3. Keeping an Eye Out for Any Infections
If you pay close attention you can identify that these might be bacterial and yeast infections that are altering the period odour and need immediate attention.
- One of the most common infections that occurs between the ages of 14-55 is Bacterial Vaginosis.
- It is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina and can be harmful if not attended to immediately.
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If you’re unsure of this, vaginal itching and period odour can be an indication for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) that require immediate medical attention.
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4. Hormonal Changes Affecting your Period
Hormonal changes can cause fluctuating pH levels which aids the growth of bacteria, which in turn causes the bad smell from periods.
- Fluctuations in hormonal levels can also lead to vaginal discharge, which when mixed with period blood can result in a foul smell.
- It is good to get your regular health check-ups done to ensure your hormones are in check.
When to See A Doctor
- If the smell is persistent and is highly fishy or foul, it is indicative of infections like BV or trichomoniasis.
- If you can smell something that feels rotten, it is because of a prolonged period product left in use
- If the period odour also comes with these symptoms:
- Itching, burning, or irritation.
- Abnormal discharge (yellow, green, or gray).
- Pain during urination or intercourse.
- Prolonged bleeding or spotting outside of your menstrual cycle.
Keeping all of the above reasons in mind, it is also true that period blood doesn’t have to always smell the same. It can also be completely normal to have varied smells that come with each period. What’s important is to not worry if there are slight changes, but to keep an eye out for smells that make you uncomfortable. Rule out the possibilities by consulting your gynaecologist if you see persistent symptoms. The best way forward would be to be in tune with your body and prioritise your health at all costs.
Source :
Medline Plus - Menstruation
Healthline - Why Does My Period Smell?
Healthshots - Period blood smell is normal!
Health - Why Does Period Blood Smell?
