For many women, periods are still a shameful taboo subject that is rarely discussed or only discussed behind closed doors. As a result, many women are unsure and wonder if changes in colour, texture or smell are normal. We therefore explain what a noticeable smell is all about and why you should better consult a doctor.
Let’s be honest: Unfortunately, menstrual blood doesn’t smell like a wonderful flower meadow. Instead, fresh menstrual blood smells of iron and can have a slightly sour note. During your period, in addition to blood, various substances such as vaginal mucus and tissues of your uterine lining are excreted. For this reason, the period blood has a different smell than, for example, fresh blood that comes out of a wound. In addition, the smell can be more or less intense depending on how fast your blood is flowing. When it flows slower, it oxidizes more and can therefore smell stronger.
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The smell of period blood indicates diseases
However, if your period blood smells unusual, a bacterial infection or a vaginal thrush can be the cause. A fishy smell is usually an indication of vaginosis. This occurs when the natural bacterial colonization is out of balance. Vaginosis can be triggered, for example, by sexual intercourse, improper personal hygiene or taking antibiotics. Other signs of infection include painful urination and itching in the intimate area.
In this case, you should definitely avoid using tampons. To clarify the exact cause of the changed smell, you should consult your gynecologist.
Period: This helps against unpleasant smell
If the smell of your period bothers you, you should ensure that the environment is as dry as possible. Change your tampon, pad or menstrual cup regularly and ideally wear cotton underwear. Synthetic fabrics allow the skin to breathe less and absorb odors more. Because tampons and pads can more easily upset the vagina’s natural bacterial environment, it may be advisable to switch to a menstrual cup, wear period underwear, or use unscented organic tampons or pads.
Do not forget! While it sounds obvious, always make sure to remove your tampon or menstrual cup after your period. A forgotten tampon can not only cause a bad odor, but also pose health risks and trigger Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) .
