Why does my discharge smell bad after sex?

During sexual intercourse, an exchange of female and male fluids occurs which can subsequently cause the vagina to give off a stronger odor than usual. However, this should not be confused with the bad smell of the discharge, since although it is normal for this fluid to be a little more abundant after sexual intercourse, It is not normal for it to have an unpleasant odorsince a smelly discharge is a sign that there is some type of health problem in the female intimate area, generally, it is an indicator of suffering from an infection.

The presence of a vaginal infection It can lead to significant changes in the normal appearance of vaginal discharge, causing it to present variations in its quantity, consistency, texture, color and odor. Generally, in case of infection, the foul-smelling discharge is usually accompanied by other symptomsamong which can be found those listed below:

More abundant flow and continuous secretions. Flow with an abnormal color, which may be yellow, gray or green. Flow with white lumps. Vaginal itching or itching. Vaginal redness. Stinging or burning when urinating. Discomfort when having sexual relations.

Next, we are going to detail the possible conditions that can cause the discharge to smell bad, especially after having sexual relations, at which time the bad smell usually intensifies.

Many women say they notice a fishy-smelling discharge after intercourseand this is usually due to suffering from bacterial vaginosis, a fairly common vaginal infection that occurs when there is an excessive growth of the bacteria that normally reside in the vagina. When this bacterial infection is symptomatic, it may present:

Thin white or grayish discharge with an unpleasant and intense odor, very similar to that of fish. This bad odor is usually accentuated after sexual intercourse and before menstruation arrives. Internal and external vaginal itching. Stinging and burning when urinating.

Although the exact cause of bacterial vaginosis is unknown, there are some factors that can cause this imbalance of bacteria present in the vagina, such as taking antibiotics, douching, having different sexual partners or using the IUD.

As it is a bacterial infection, taking antibiotic pills or applying antibiotic creams to the vagina is usually prescribed for its treatment. In the following oneHOWTO article, we explain in more detail how to cure bacterial vaginosis.

Another of the possible causes of foul-smelling discharge It may be a vaginal yeast infection, the candidiasis the most common. This occurs when there is excessive growth of the fungus. Candida albicans in the female genital area and causes symptoms such as:

White, thick, watery discharge that can give off a bad odor. Vaginal itching, burning, stinging and irritation. Redness and inflammation of the vulva. Very sensitive labia majora. Discomfort when urinating and/or having sexual relations.

It has been pointed out that taking antibiotics, a weakened immune system, pregnancy, hormonal changes, being overweight, diabetes, the use of aggressive intimate products or very tight clothing may be some of the most frequent causative factors. When you suffer from vaginal yeast, it is essential to undergo medical treatment, since to completely eliminate the infection it is necessary to start antifungal treatment, which can be administered topically or orally depending on the severity of the infection. In the following oneHOWTO article, we show how to cure vaginal candidiasis.

In other cases, suffering from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) may answer the question of “why does my discharge smell bad after sex?” When the smelly discharge is a consequence of this, it usually presents other important changes in its color and consistency. The STDs that may be behind foul-smelling vaginal secretions are:

Trichomoniasis: infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis which causes gray, yellow or green foamy discharge with a bad smell, as well as redness, itching, swollen vaginal lips and pain when urinating and having intercourse. Chlamydia: disease caused by bacteria chlamydia trachomatis which presents with symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge with a strong odor, pain during urination, the need to urinate frequently, discomfort during sexual intercourse, intermenstrual bleeding, abdominal or rectal pain. Gonorrhea: infection caused by bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae which can lead to symptoms such as abundant vaginal discharge with a strong odor, pain and burning when urinating, more abundant urination, vaginal bleeding between periods and lower abdominal pain.

To avoid the spread of these pathologies, it is essential to adopt all the measures that we indicate in the article how to protect myself from sexually transmitted diseases.

It is important to insist that a discharge with a bad smell is a symptom of some type of health problem in the female genital area, so it is essential to go to the gynecologist to find out what the exact cause is and thus be able to start the appropriate treatment in each case. case. To prevent foul-smelling discharge, as far as possible, and keep your intimate area always healthyit is essential that in your daily life you take into account recommendations such as those we specify in the following lines:

Maintain proper intimate hygiene, washing the vaginal area daily with water and an intimate soap specific for this area. Avoid douching and using soaps with perfumes, alcohol or fragrances. Try to keep the vaginal area dry. After playing sports, it is important that you shower and change as quickly as possible. Wear cotton underwear to promote perspiration. Avoid wearing very tight pants. When using tampons, do not wear them for more than 4 or 6 hours. Use a condom in all your sexual relations. Try to urinate after sex to prevent a bacterial infection. Go to the gynecologist periodically and have the appropriate gynecological check-ups. Eat a healthy diet, making sure it is not very high in yeast or sugar, as this could alter the vaginal pH and favor the development of infections.

You can see more tips like these in the article how to eliminate bad vaginal odor.

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