How To Get Rid Of Onion Smell Discharge In South Afric
Overview
While vaginas all smell slightly different, the scent is usually mild and natural. A strong and unpleasant smell, such as an onion smell, can signify infection or another health problem. The body naturally produces a discharge that keeps the vagina healthy and free of harmful bacteria and irritants.
How To Get Rid Of Onion Smell Discharge In South Africa
1. Food
As you might expect, eating a lot of onion or garlic can cause your vaginal discharge and urine to take on a strong onion or garlic scent.
Asparagus can also cause your urine to take on a strong scent, which could be mistaken for vaginal odor. Curry and heavily spiced foods can lead to vaginal discharge or sweat with a distinct smell too.
What you can do
If your diet is to blame, the smell should return to normal within the next 48 hours. Drink extra water to flush the foods and scents from your urethra and sweat.
If the odors remain after three days, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. An underlying condition may be behind your symptoms.
2. Sweat
Sweat is much more than fluid escaping your body when you’re hot. Sweat is filled with skin cells and bacteria, and it can escape from almost every pore in your body.
Although sweat helps cool your body, it can also stink. When sweat mingles with fluids in and around your vagina, your natural scent may change. The odor may grow stronger if you’re sweating a lot, like during warm months or after exercise.
What you can do
You can’t — and don’t want to — stop sweat. It’s a vital function for your body. However, you can help prevent unwanted odors by frequently changing your underwear and other clothes if you sweat a lot.
Be sure to wear breathable, natural fabrics like cotton. Avoid wearing workout or exercise clothes multiple times between washes.
3. Poor hygiene
Your vagina is designed to take care of itself by keeping a healthy balance of bacteria. These bacteria help prevent infections and irritation.
If you don’t wash or change your underwear daily, you will experience odor problems. Poor hygiene of the labia may also lead to irritation. Bacteria may grow in an unbalanced way and lead to an infection of the vagina too.
What you can do
Wash your labia and vaginal area regularly with mild soap and water. Washing removes bacteria while removing dead skin and dried sweat.
You should also:
- Change gym clothes after your sweat session is over.
- Avoid wearing wet pool clothes for hours after you get out of the pool.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes frequently. Tight clothes don’t allow for air circulation around the vagina, and that can increase bacteria.
- Wear cotton underwear, not ones made from synthetic materials like satin, silk, or polyester. Cotton wicks sweat and moisture away from your vagina, which can help prevent odor.
4. Forgotten tampon
It’s not uncommon to forget a tampon for a few extra hours, but if you forgot one for a few extra days, you may smell the result. An old tampon can begin to smell of rotting onions in a few days.
Some people also suggest it smells like rotting meat. Either way, an old tampon certainly gives off a foul odor for most women.
What you can do
If the tampon has been in just a few hours or an extra day, you can remove it yourself. Wash the area around the vaginal opening with warm water and a mild soap. In the future, develop a way to remind yourself to check for a tampon. A tie around your wrist might help, or a phone alert can remind you to remove a tampon.
However, if you’re not sure how long the tampon has been in your vagina, or if it has been longer than two days, you may need to see your doctor. Tampons may fall apart as they’re removed. Your doctor can remove the tampon and make sure no pieces are left behind. They can also determine if you need any additional treatment, such as an antibiotic for an infection.
5. Bacterial vaginosis
Typically, a vagina does a good job balancing healthy, normal bacteria with bad bacteria. From time to time, however, an imbalance can occur, and the bad bacteria may grow and upset the pH balance. When this occurs, it’s known as bacterial vaginosis (BV).
BV is very common. It’s most common during the reproductive years, but it can affect woman of any age.
Not all women experience symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- a thick discharge that’s white or gray
- a strong fishy smell, especially after sex or a shower
- itching
What you can do
If you’re experiencing symptoms of BV, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. You need antibiotics to help restore the bacterial balance in your vagina. You can’t treat BV by yourself.
Keep in mind that antibiotics may make the odor from your vagina worse temporarily. Once you’re finished with the medicine, the infection should be gone, and the odor will disappear. If you are on antibiotics, replace the healthy bacteria by adding live yogurt to your diet.
6. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis (or “trich” for short) is an infection caused by a single-cell animal called a Trichomonas vaginalis. These microscopic organisms are transferred during sexual encounters, so trich is considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source, an estimated 3.7 million Americans are affected by trich. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with trich than men, and older women are more at risk than younger women.
Only about 30 percent of people with this infection develop symptoms. In addition to a strong vaginal odor, these may include:
- discomfort during urination
- unusual vaginal discharge
- itching
- burning
- discomfort
What you can do
If you suspect you have a trich infection, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. You’ll need a prescription treatment to get rid of the parasites. It’s important that you take all of the medication to fully eliminate the infection.
7. Rectovaginal fistula
A rectovaginal fistula is an abnormal opening between your rectum and your vagina. This occurs when the lower portion of your large intestine leaks into your vagina.
Bowel contents can leak through this fistula, and it may cause gas or stool to leave through your vagina. This can cause unusual odors, which you may mistake as vaginal odor.
Rectovaginal fistulas aren’t common. They’re often the result of an injury, such as during childbirth. Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease are also common causes.
The symptoms of a rectovaginal fistula depend on where the opening is and how large it is. For example, you may notice gas, stool, or pus coming from your vagina instead of your rectum. You may just smell an unusual odor if the opening is small.
You may also develop an infection around the opening, which may lead to fever, burning, itching, and irritation.
What you can do
If you suspect you have a fistula, make an appointment to see your doctor. They’ll perform a physical and pelvic exam to confirm the presence of the abnormal opening.
Surgery is the most common treatment for a fistula. Most people with a fistula will require surgery. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to eliminate any infection or an anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce sensitivity and irritation.
General tips to help remove vaginal odor
You can still take steps to reduce the unwanted smell while you wait for a diagnosis. You should:
1. Wash your labia and groin regularly with soap and warm water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the soap out of the opening of the vagina so you don’t further upset your natural pH balance.
2. Wear breathable fabrics, especially underwear. Cotton is the best choice. Avoid silk, satin, and polyester.
3. Don’t wear tight-fitting pants regularly. Your vagina naturally releases moisture all the time. If the moisture can’t escape because of clothes, the bacteria balance may be upset. This can lead to odor and irritation.
4. Avoid perfumed and scented washes. While you may think you’re helping the odor, you may be making it worse. Douches should be off limits too. They can eliminate good bacteria, and the balance may be upset. This can lead to vaginitis and irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it normal for discharge to smell like onions?
A strong smell of onions is unlikely to be natural but could occur due to sweat, poor hygiene, specific foods in the diet, or infection.
How do you get rid of onion discharge?
Eating onions and garlic can lead to an onion-like smell in your vaginal discharge for 24 to 48 hours, Dr. Debora Nucatolah, the Medical Director at Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, previously told Teen Vogue. She said a shower does the trick to get rid of the smell, just like you’ve experienced
How do I stop smelling like onions?
Toothpaste and mouthwash can eliminate the sulfuric chemical compounds in onions that leave a lingering smell. Rub your hands together with toothpaste and mouthwash under running water for around thirty seconds
How do you keep your virgin clean and smelling good?
DON’T douche or use any sprays to cover up the smell as these products can irritate your vagina. Try bathing or showering every day with a mild soap and warm water, and wear cotton underwear. If your discharge continues to have an odor, you may have bacterial vaginosis (BV).
What causes smell in Vagina?
Sweating also can cause a vaginal odor. Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of bacteria typically present in the vagina. It’s a common vaginal condition that can cause vaginal odor. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, also can lead to vaginal odor.
What is the normal smell of Vagina?
Tangy or fermented
It’s very common for vaginas to produce a tangy or sour aroma. Some compare it to the smell of fermented foods. In fact, yogurt, sourdough bread, and even some sour beer contain the same type of good bacteria that dominate most healthy vaginas: Lactobacilli.
How can I get rid of smelly discharge naturally?
Some diet changes can help reduce foul-smelling discharge and regulate the naturally-occurring vaginal flora. Therefore, it is important to eat 3 to 5 portions of fruits and vegetables, as well as probiotics, which can be found in natural yogurt and kefir.
What pills are good for smelly discharge?
To treat bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications:
- Metronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogel-Vaginal, others). This medicine may be taken as a pill by mouth (orally).
- Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, others).
- Tinidazole (Tindamax).
- Secnidazole (Solosec).
Can others smell my discharge?
Can other people smell it too?” Dr. Kate, a gynecologist, answers: “No, all vaginas don’t smell, or taste, the same…but they do all smell. Every woman has a different musky scent, and we tend to be very attuned to our own smell, even when no one else is aware of it
How can I stop daily discharge?
Wear cotton underpants during the day. Cotton allows your genital area to “breathe.” Don’t wear underpants at night. Avoid wearing tight pants, pantyhose, swimming suits, biking shorts, or leotards for long periods. Change your laundry detergent or fabric softener if you think it may be irritating your genital area.
What happens if you put baking soda in your private parts?
Baking soda helps in naturally balancing out the pH levels of your vagina. Its acidic nature helps in killing candida cells that lead to genital yeast infection. This natural vaginal wash helps in speeding up the recovery process with its natural properties. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to your bathwater.