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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffVaginal odor — often described as a "fishy" smell — usually results from an overgrowth of organisms normally present in the vagina. Vaginal odor may be more noticeable after sexual intercourse. Other signs or symptoms that can accompany vaginal odor include vaginal itching or irritation and vaginal discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis, or bacterial overgrowth, is the most common cause of vaginal odor. Some sexually transmitted diseases may cause vaginal odor. Much less commonly, vaginal odor can be caused by a retained or forgotten tampon. Vaginal odor may also result from a rectovaginal fistula — an abnormal opening between the rectum and vagina — which allows feces to leak into the vagina.
- Bacterial vaginosis fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/BV/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/PID/STDFact-PID.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- 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.
- Husain A, et al. Recto-vaginal fistula. In: Hillard PA. The 5-minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:162.
