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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffBacterial vaginosis, or overgrowth of normally occurring vaginal bacteria, is the most common cause of vaginal odor. Some sexually transmitted diseases may cause vaginal odor. A retained or forgotten tampon may eventually cause a vaginal odor. Less commonly, vaginal odor may be attributed to a rectovaginal fistula — an abnormal opening between the rectum and vagina which allows feces to leak into the vagina.
Commonly, vaginal odor may be caused by:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Poor hygiene
- Retained or forgotten tampon
- Trichomoniasis
- Yeast infection (vaginal)
Less commonly, vaginal odor may result from:
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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