A 27-year-old member asked:
should i speak to a doctor about odd smelling vaginal discharge?
14 doctor answers • 29 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeff Livingston answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 22 years experience
Yes: Foul smelling discharge needs to be evaluated. The most common cause is a nonsexually transmitted overgrowth of bacteria called bacterial vaginosis. Testing for other sexually transmitted disease may need to be done as well.
6596 views
Dr. Andrew Silverman answered
Fertility Medicine 49 years experience
Yes: Foul smelling vaginal discharge is frequently seen evidence of bacterial vaginosis (bv). It should be diagnosed and treated properly because it will make you more susceptible to other sexually transmitted diseases, and can effect your pregnancy if you are pregnant. Please check my web site; www.Holisticgyn.Com for further information on vaginal infections.
6558 views
Dr. Patricia Rogers answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 39 years experience
Yes: Let your doctor know so he can check the discharge and make sure it's just normal for pregnancy and not something that needs to be treated. I'm a big fan of asking questions and talking to your doctor. We do make a lot more discharge when we're pregnant, so don't worry, just go get it checked.
6558 views
Dr. Kevin O'neil answered
Urogynecology 28 years experience
Yes: An increase in discharge is normal with pregnancy. However, any discharge which itches, burns or has an unusual odor should be mentioned to your doctor.
6558 views
Dr. Pam Yoder answered
Specializes in Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Yes: Whether or pregnant or not, don't be shy about telling your OB provider about a odd- or foul-smelling discharge or one that is blood-tinged or more than usual.
6556 views
Dr. Jose Bolanos answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 39 years experience
Yes: Any abnormal odor should be evaluated. This is most often seen with a bacterial vaginal infection called gardnarella vaginalis. It can be treated and cured quickly. Other causes are lost tampons, necrosing cervical lesions as seen in cancers. See your doctor and be examined.
6542 views
Dr. Alysia Townsend answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 20 years experience
Yes: Yes. Normal physiologic vaginal discharge is odorless. Odor is a sign that there may be an infection or other problem and should be discussed with your doctor.
6536 views
Dr. Jaime Lopez answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 39 years experience
Yes: This can often be a sign of infection. Talk to your doctor.
6518 views
Dr. Scott Kramer answered
Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: While excess vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy, if it has a persistently bad odor or is associated with intense itching then it could be vaginitis and should be treated. So have it checked out by obstetrician.
6518 views
Dr. Megan Bird answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 19 years experience
Yes: Pregnancy is a time filled with changes. It is hard to say if new or different discharge is a problem or just an annoyance. Let your doctor know about it.
6514 views
Dr. Byron Hapner answered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Yes: Yes, you should speak to a doctor about an odd-smelling vaginal discharge. Better yet, scheduling an appointment would give you a more accurate diagnosis. Possible problems may include a bacterial vaginosis infection, trichomonas, or a retained tampon/foreign body.
6514 views
Dr. Raj Syal answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 33 years experience
Yes: A discharge causing an odor is usually due to a bacterial infection. Currently there is no over-the-counter treatment. See your doctor.
6514 views
Dr. Neeoo Chin answered
Fertility Medicine 40 years experience
Yes: Vaginal discharge odor can vary according to a woman's menstrual cycle, or pregnancy. When the discharge odor is unusual then seeking medical evaluation is warranted to rule out an infection.
6214 views
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Yes: If you have a change in color, texture, odor or amount of vaginal discharge ; problems such as pain, itching burning with urination or sex or redness/swelling then it is best to see your gynecologist for evaluation ; accurate assessment.
4588 views
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Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is the cause of fishy smelling vaginal discharge?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kenneth Cheng answered
Family Medicine 31 years experience
Bacterial vaginosis: A fishy smelling vaginal discharge is often due to bacterial vaginosis, a non-sexually transmitted infection due to an overgrowth of bacteria. See your family doctor, internist or gynecologist to have the diagnosis confirmed and treated appropriately.
6096 views
ZA
A 24-year-old female asked:
What can I get over the counter for foul smelling vaginal discharge?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Randy Baker answered
Holistic Medicine 40 years experience
Many options: If it has a fishy smell it is probably Bacterial Vaginosis and many over-the-counter remedies can help.See https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/bacterial_vaginosis.html for a detailed discussion of many remedies by those who have tried them, including details of how to use and how many who tried them had good vs. poor results.
However,if you try some without success see a Dr. for evaluation/treatment
246 views
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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