Can hpv cause a bad smelling odor in the vagina? if not what else could be contributing to bad smells?

Not HPV: HPV doesn't cause odor or discharge, except rarely in very advanced cases of cervical cancer. By far the main cause of strong vaginal odor -- often fishy, often strongest after sex -- is bacterial vaginosis, an overgrowth of mostly normal vaginal bacteria. BV is often triggered by sex. Trichomonas, an STD, causes the same odor; and other STDs are common in women with BV. Contact your doctor soon.