Vaginal discharge - Leucorrhea
Under normal conditions, cervical secretions and vaginal transudate have a light color, tending to transparent, and a pleasant odor.Many women, however, are not of the same opinion and - although this aroma is absolutely normal - they consider it too penetrating; for this they try to mask it by applying various types of cosmetics or by performing vaginal douches. In reality there is nothing more wrong, first because perfumes can cause allergic reactions and irritation, second because showers tend to alter the vaginal microflora facilitating the engraftment of pathogens, and third because most men find this smell particularly pleasant. It is therefore not necessary to "smell like a rose"; a simple shower with lukewarm water and small doses of mild soap are more than enough.
Under certain conditions, vaginal odor can become particularly heavy and unpleasant, to the point of being described with the classic expression "stink of rotten fish." This is a clear sign that something intimate is not working properly. cases, the bad odor is due to the overgrowth of pathogens normally present in the vagina in such small quantities as to be harmless. This condition is known as bacterial vaginosis. Although high sexual promiscuity is an important risk factor, the causes of vaginosis must be sought. also in the "excessive or insufficient intimate hygiene, in the use of intrauterine mechanical contraceptives and in the submission to antibiotic therapy."
Unpleasant vaginal odor is common in various sexually transmitted diseases, in particular it can be caused by Gardnerella, but also by trichomoniasis, candida, gonorrhea and pelvic inflammatory disease. When the bad odor of the vagina is caused by a venereal disease , like gardnerella, is amplified by contact with sperm and alkaline soaps. The smell can be particularly intense even during menstruation.
Other causes of vaginal odor are poor personal hygiene and much more rarely cervical or vaginal cancer, the presence of a rectovaginal fistula (an "abnormal opening between the rectum and the vagina), severe genital herpes, syphilis or from a forgotten internal tampon.
When the vaginal odor becomes particularly pungent and unpleasant, it is best to bring it to the attention of the doctor or gynecologist as soon as possible. In the meantime, it is necessary to avoid deodorants and do-it-yourself vaginal douches, which in addition to hindering the diagnosis could aggravate the infection.
