In line with obstetrician-gynecologist Himali Maniar Patel, MBBS, DGO, it may be completely regular to have a point of vaginal odor after your interval ends—and never simply whenever you’re actively bleeding, when it may appear apparent that issues might odor a bit off down there.

It is true that sure vaginal smells can sign an an infection attributable to an imbalance within the vaginal flora (extra on that beneath). And mockingly, among the largest culprits behind that imbalance are “hygienic” merchandise that promise to make you odor higher down there. However, a post-period odor doesn’t essentially signify the presence of any situation. Because it seems, sure menstruation-related shifts could cause a traditional, momentary post-period odor.

Why your vagina would possibly odor after your interval

A few completely different causes may very well be behind vaginal smelliness as soon as your interval subsides. A giant one: leftover blood. “A standard purpose for a metallic odor is the presence of iron in your interval blood,” says Amy Wetter, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at Pediatrix Medical Group. “This will linger, particularly when you’ve got brown discharge from leftover or previous blood and tissue nonetheless making its method out.”

“A standard purpose for a metallic odor is the presence of iron in your interval blood.” —Amy Wetter, MD, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist

Some different-than-usual micro organism may additionally be rising or proliferating in your vagina post-period, inflicting a shift in how issues odor. “The vagina requires a low pH (acidic pH) to be able to keep a wholesome bacterial steadiness,” says Dr. Wetter. “Since interval blood has a excessive pH (primary pH), this may permit sure sorts of micro organism to flourish [more so than others], which can trigger [temporary] odor or discharge.”

Certainly, Dr. Patel says that “a buildup of micro organism on the floor of your vulva or in your vagina” is a serious potential explanation for any type of post-period funk. “This will additionally occur extra so across the time of your interval as a consequence of hormonal modifications and elevated moisture close to the realm,” she provides.

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One other stunning wrongdoer: leaving a tampon in for too lengthy or after your interval is finished. (On that notice, right here’s your pleasant reminder to alter your tampon each 4 to eight hours, at most.) The blood and secretions that gather on a tampon can result in a “foul” or “rotten” odor as they permit for micro organism to develop, says Dr. Wetter. To not point out, a tampon sitting within the vagina for too lengthy can throw off the steadiness of your current vaginal flora, which might enhance your danger of an an infection, like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast an infection.

Each of those infections could cause vaginal discharge that may have a powerful odor (within the case of BV, a fishy odor, and with a yeast an infection, a bitter or yeasty odor like sourdough) at any cut-off date—which is why it’s necessary to analyze additional in case you discover extreme odor or discharge post-period, says Dr. Patel, notably if it’s accompanied by different signs of an an infection, like itching, burning, redness, or ache throughout penetrative intercourse.

How will you tackle a post-period odor?

Any non-infection-related vaginal odor you might discover after your interval will subside by itself with none particular therapy. However in case you’re seeking to clear it up extra shortly—or forestall a post-period odor within the first place—it could be useful to brush up in your vaginal hygiene practices.

Dr. Wetter and Dr. Patel recommend doing the next:

• Bathe each day, utilizing solely heat water to softly clear the vulva and across the opening of the vagina
• Bathe and/or change instantly after figuring out
• Keep away from utilizing any scented vaginal-care or hygienic merchandise
• Don’t douche
• Put on loose-fitting pants and cotton underwear
• Keep well-hydrated
• Eat probiotics to assist stave off infections (for instance, by consuming gut-healthy yogurts)

When do you have to see a health care provider for a post-period odor

Dr. Wetter encourages in search of medical care if any unusual-to-you vaginal odor lasts greater than two to a few days after your cycle, if it’s accompanied by fever or chills, or in case you expertise pelvic ache. Additionally, in case you discover discharge together with the odor, she provides, and it’s yellow or inexperienced, it’s a good suggestion to see a health care provider. “These are all indicators that you might have an an infection (which will require treatment to resolve), and never only a momentary change as a consequence of your menses,” she says.

Seeing a doctor can assist you both rule out an an infection or obtain therapy for one, in the event that they decide that that’s the reason for the odor.

The excellent news? Once more, most post-period odors are completely regular, momentary, innocuous, and can go away on their very own. And even in case you do study that your vaginal odor stems from an an infection, the sorts of infections at play listed below are usually simply treatable, says Dr. Patel. “With the fitting therapy and care, you’ll be able to shortly get again on monitor and really feel extra comfy in your personal pores and skin.”