Hey Oremi,
Last week we asked you what causes fishy odour in the vagina and some of you had some interesting answers. Some think it has to do with bad hygiene while others think it’s a sign of a vaginal infection. Who’s right? And who’s wrong? Well, let’s find out!
As we know, the Vagina has a world of bacteria called the "Vagina Flora" and it consists of both good and bad bacteria which live in a perfect balance.
The good bacteria, called "lactobacilli" produce lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and many other substances which maintain the vagina's PH level, fight against infections and inhibit the overgrowth of yeast and other bad bacteria.
But when there is an imbalance in the vagina flora and the level of the lactobacilli is low, it gives room for an overgrowth of bad bacteria which then causes an infection called Bacterial Vaginosis (or B.V as we know it).
And finally, "fishy odour" is one of the symptoms of this infection. So, as much as bad hygiene seems to be the most obvious cause of fishy odour, we can see that the real cause is Bacterial Vaginosis (B.V).
But you should know that B.V can affect any woman of childbearing age and a bad hygiene can also increase the risk of having an imbalanced vagina flora thereby paving the way for Bacterial Vaginosis (B.V).
With that in mind, there are a few things you might be doing that can also increase the risk of getting BV.
Some of which are:
- Douching
- Having multiple sex partners
- Taking too much antibiotics
- Using scented soaps to clean the vagina
- Not washing your underwear or washing them with harsh detergents
- Smoking
- Making use of vaginal deodorants, washes, or sprays.
- Fingering with unclean fingers
- And many more
While Fishy Odour might be the most annoying symptom of B.V, other symptoms may include:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Itching
- Gray or abnormal discharge
When left untreated, B.V can also lead to some serious health issues like
- Infertility
- complications during pregnancy
- increased risk of PID(Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
- And many more.
What Can You Do?
When you see any of these symptoms, the first thing you should do is to see a doctor because self-medicating with off-the-counter drugs might do more harm than good.
Also, a box or two of Vaginne refreshing intimate gel will fight the infection and make you feel so much better too! So get one today.
Thanks for reading and if you have any contribution, you may add them in the comment section below.