Vaginal odor

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Vaginal odor is any abnormal odor which originates from the vagina. An abnormal vaginal odor is often described as having a "fishy" smell. Abnormal vaginal odor is often associated with other symptoms such as vaginal itching or irritation and vaginal discharge.

References
  1. Bacterial vaginosis — CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/BV/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) — CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/PID/STDFact-PID.htm. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  3. Hillard PA. Vaginal signs and symptoms: Vaginal discharge. In: Hillard PA. The 5-minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:48.
  4. Husain A, et al. Recto-vaginal fistula. In: Hillard PA. The 5-minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:162.
MY00555 April 23, 2011

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger