What Causes Vaginal Odor?

This week’s question comes from quite a few of you, like Sandy and Joanie, who asked: "I’m so frustrated, because I don’t understand how I can shower (sometimes four or five times a day) but am still so embarrassed because I feel like others can smell me if they get too close. Am I doing something wrong? I feel like I’ve always been a clean person. Can you help me, or tell me what I’m doing wrong?"

Thank you for your question. This is such a common problem for so many women, so let’s talk about what this odor means and what can be done to help. Vaginal odor, no matter the cause, is a distressing thing to try to deal with. There can be many causes. Most of you have heard of BV, or bacterial vaginosis, and know about the odor that can accompany it. It is the most common vaginal infection and is caused by an imbalance of the normal bacterial environment. This is found most commonly in women of childbearing age that are sexually active, but all women are at risk. Normally the vagina maintains a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria but BV happens when the bad bacteria outgrow the good bacteria. This imbalance interferes with the vagina’s ability to “self-clean”, as the predominant bacteria is smothered out and over taken by the bad species of bacteria not normally found in the vagina.

A healthy vagina normally contains many microorganisms. The most common are from the Lactobacilli family, commonly found in yogurt and beneficial to the vagina as it is a hydrogen peroxide-producing species, which helps prevent other vaginal microorganisms from multiplying to a level where they cause symptoms. The microorganisms involved in BV are very diverse, but include Gardnarella Vaginalis, Mobiluncus, Bacteroides and Mycoplasma.

The bad bacteria can cause symptoms like itching, burning, pain, and can even give you a bladder infection. In pregnant women, it can cause preterm birth and low birth weight babies. There can be a noticeable thin, grey-white discharge with an unpleasant fishy odor that accompanies it. This discharge coats and clings to the vaginal walls, preventing the release of normal discharge that is used to clear the vagina of unwanted bacteria.

However, you should note that vaginal odor does not necessarily mean you have a BV infection. Yeast, trichomoniasis, and other STDs can also be a cause. And, sometime vaginal odor occurs without any infection at all. Anything that would disrupt the normal vaginal pH can cause vaginal odor and, if left untreated, can reach the level of a BV infection. Many things can disrupt this vaginal environment: menstrual cycles (blood is neutral pH), sexual activity (semen is a sugary, alkaline fluid), hormone imbalance, antibiotics and douching, which can sterilize the normal vaginal environment and create recurrent vaginal infections.

Most often when vaginal odor occurs, we seek out medical help and are prescribed antibiotics that destroy the bad bacteria only. This can help until it returns again, at which point the treatment will need to be repeated. Some feel that eating yogurt or taking herbal preparations with lactobacilli will cure and prevent BV. What do I think? I think yogurt is good, and eating it will help your digestion and intestinal tract, but you would have to put it in your vagina for it to help there (not recommended).

So, this is a long explanation to show you why a simple shower (no matter how many you take!) cannot eliminate vaginal odor problems. The one product I have found to be of most value in removing vaginal odor and keeping it away is the WaterWorks vaginal cleansing system. It is FDA cleared for the removal of unpleasant vaginal odor.

How does it work? It is a reusable system that looks a lot like a douching device, but it uses only tap water. The reusable nozzle of the device is made a medical grade stainless steel. It is the reaction of the stainless steel with the vaginal mucosa as the water gently sprinkles out, that creates a chemical reaction that removes odor. Many of you have seen this same thing done by chefs when they rub their hands under running water with stainless steel bars to remove the unwanted onion and garlic smell after cooking.

The best part is you don’t have to take pills or use vaginal gels. WaterWorks can be safely and effectively used every time you bathe or shower. Many of my patients use it right after sexual intercourse to rinse out the semen, which can help eliminate odor.

I hope this helped you understand just a little more about how our bodies function as women. I hope your week is productive and you stay safe.

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Vaginal Odor and WaterWorks

Vaginal odor is an embarrassing problem and can interfere with intimacy because, well who wants him down there with that problem, right? Most everything we are taught to do can actually worsen vaginal odor, like douching or washing with harsh soaps and/or cleansers. They even make feminine hygiene sprays to cover up the odor like perfume or deodorant we use on other parts of our body. Of course that's just silly & desperate really.

As a gynecologist my best recommendation to you when you take your shower is to be sure to allow the soap suds to gently run over and lather the pubic and groin area but don't scrub or allow the soap to get inside the vagina. Never douche. Not even with medicated solutions, diluted lemon juice or vinegar solutions. Daily soap usage inside the vagina or douching will cause an imbalance of the normal flora (bacterial environment) which is there to fight off the unwanted smelly bacteria that can also be associated with infections.

You may know this but let's just go over it to refresh your memory, ok? The normal bacterial flora in the vagina is predominantly lactobacilli which keeps the vagina slightly acidic to prevent the overgrowth of unwanted, smelly bacteria & yeast. It is also the main bacteria used to culture milk into yogurt. Wow! So that is why the vagina usually has a very pleasant smell or taste, or often no smell or taste.

So what causes the imbalances that bring on the odors? Mostly things like our period or sex, and also the many hormone imbalances we go through with childbirth, menopause or our monthly cycles. Blood is normal pH & this rise in pH encourages the abnormal bacterial & yeast growth.

Semen is sugary & normal pH to keep those sperm alive for their long journey.

But recently, within the past few years, a new product called WaterWorks has been out that is FDA approved for the treatment of chronic vaginal odor. I personally saw it first on a daytime tv show called "The Doctors". I was so excited that I made an order cause I wanted to see for myself if it worked. It did.

WaterWorks is a reusable vaginal cleansing system. It has a sturdy bag that is filled with warm shower water with durable tubing and a stainless steel tip that is inserted into the vagina. During your shower you release the warm water and let it flow into your vagina. The stainless steel reacts with the vaginal mucosa in such a way that it removes odor immediately. Chefs in restaurants do the same, in that they have stainless steel bars they use to strong odors like onion & garlic off their hands.

The amazing thing is that WaterWorks can be used everyday, or to rinse period blood out and many women use it right after sex to rinse semen out right away which prevents odor. The water gently sprinkles out so you never have to worry about pushing bacteria upward into your uterus & tubes.

I love WaterWorks because it really works for my patients and they aren't using medication over and over again. Many of them have struggled for years with no hope & now after one use their odor is gone.

I hope this helps you so you can finally get some relief & feel good & confident. It's always a good idea to see your doctor to make sure you don't have an infection or other problem. Then go to our website; www.KnowYourV.com or WaterWorksHealth.com & check out WaterWorks. Let me know if u have any other questions, be safe, and have a wonderful week.

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How to Smell Fresh Down There?

This week I bunched together the questions or worries I hear from many of my readers out there and lots of you who come into my office each week for appointments. This week a patient came in and asked a common question: “I don’t know what is wrong with me, but I shower several times a day, and I still do not smell fresh down there! What can I do? I am so worried that people next to me can smell me.”

This is such a common and distressing problem. Not only does it destroy a woman’s confidence, but it can also put a real strain on her sexual intimacy.

Before you attempt any type of self-treatment, you should first visit your gynecologist to be sure you do not have an STD or vaginal infection. Any type of vaginal infection can cause unwanted odor and irritation with discharge.

The most common infections with odors are caused from imbalances of the normal bacterial environment (or flora) in the vagina. Most of the time this is corrected by using an oral or vaginal form of a certain antibiotic. This can be very effective, but because vaginal odors are often caused by bacterial imbalances of the natural vaginal flora, it is often only a temporary fix.

I think because odors are usually (and often erroneously) linked with poor hygiene, many woman become so distressed that they may resort to using over-the-counter douches, feminine hygiene sprays or other products that just cover up the odor and can actually worsen the problem.

The best product on the market today to help with vaginal odor is WaterWorks. It has been FDA cleared for this purpose, and unlike douching, WaterWorks does not use any chemicals which can disrupt the normal vaginal ecosystem. The gentle downward sprinkling action of WaterWorks does not irritate the vagina nor push bad bacteria further up into your cervix Its unique design allows you to use it in the privacy of your own shower, and it is reusable, so you don’t have to spend money repeatedly for products that do not work.

WaterWorks destroys odor causing bacteria through its unique design, using gently flowing water and a medical-grade stainless-steel nozzle to naturally eliminate feminine odor.

This product is safe enough to be used every day for feminine hygiene purposes, for rinsing out semen after sex or to wash away old blood after your period. No wonder women love it! You will too. You may have struggled with odor for years, but find it is gone after just the first use of WaterWorks.

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Vaginal Discharge

You know, so many women are bothered by vaginal discharge and are often confused about what constitutes 'normal' changes.

A clear to whitish discharge from the vagina is normal and will fluctuate in consistency and amount throughout the menstrual cycle. It is actually a way by which your body gets rid of bacteria and dead cells in your vagina - keeping it clean and healthy. However, if you notice vaginal discharge that is unusual in color or odor, itching and burning in the vagina, or blood-stained discharge, it could indicate an infection or disease of the reproductive organs. Abnormal discharge always has an unusual odor or will cause swelling and itching in the vaginal area.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in women and are caused by bacteria which are usually either transmitted from the sexual partner or from the woman's anal area. The first symptoms of a UTI can be abnormal vaginal discharge, pain with sex or urination, and urinary odor. Sometimes there will even be vaginal and urinary bleeding.

The majority of women know that a UTI can cause a burning sensation while voiding and a constant urge to urinate, although only a few drops may be produced. The urine is usually cloudy and often strong smelling, but few women associate their abnormal discharge with a UTI.

As a doctor seeing a woman present with all these symptoms, it is hard for me to know which came first, the vaginal infection or the urinary tract infection. So, after we talk, I will check vaginal cultures and send a urine sample for testing at the lab. Most UTI's are caused by a bacteria known as E.Coli that comes from our rectal and anal area (lucky us that everything is so close together down there), as it is easy for that bacteria to get in the bladder and vaginal area from intercourse, and floss-type panties.

If you find that you are getting more than your fair share of these type of infections, it is good to know that they can be avoided by drinking lots of water and cranberry juice. Cranberry juice acidifies the urine, and bacteria don't like that. Do not use feminine hygiene sprays or douches, as they can make it worse. Also, urinating right before and after sex is an important habit in helping prevent infection.

I hope the next time you have abnormal vaginal discharge and urinary pain/pressure, that this information will help you.

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Can WaterWorks Help With Vaginal Discharge in Addition to Vaginal Odor?

This week the question is:

“I know WaterWorks helps with vaginal odor, but I have a lot of discharge, will it help me with that too?”

It seems kind of funny, but problems with vaginal odor and discharge seem way too embarrassing to bring up over lunch with the girls, even though in my experience, based on what I hear safely behind closed exam room doors, it's one of the most common problems women have. Maybe it would be good to know that the women closest to us suffer too.

Because vaginal odor can be caused by an imbalance of the normal bacterial flora in the vagina, odor and discharge often go hand in hand. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections can both be culprits of recurrent odor and discharge.

Unlike store bought douches which contain chemicals that can make the situation worse by destroying that normal ecosystem WaterWorks uses of only tap water for vaginal cleansing, so it can be used every time you shower without causing any adverse effects. In fact, by using WaterWorks, a healthy balance can be created as the abnormal discharge and bacteria are removed and normal vaginal pH can be restored.

This is best seen by using WaterWorks to rinse out semen after sex. What is really happening has to do with the composition of the semen, which is a sugary, alkaline substance created to protect the sperm from the acidic environment of the vagina. If not for this, the sperm would die on contact with the vagina and no one would ever get pregnant. After sex, semen remains inside and if you have sex again within a day or two, it gives the vagina no time to restore the normal flora that creates the acidic environment. Once this happens there can be persistent discharge and odor that reoccurs.

So back to the question as to whether WaterWorks helps to eliminate vaginal discharge with the odor, the answer is yes. We have many women writing in and telling us how much they love WaterWorks. The WaterWorks system is a reusable vaginal cleansing system that has been FDA cleared for vaginal odor and it is the reaction of the stainless steel nozzle end that is designed to comfortably insert into the vagina, with ordinary tap water that eliminates or reduces the unpleasant odor.

The unique design and gentle sprinkling action will rinse unwanted discharge and semen from the vagina and help facilitate the natural healing process of your own body. No chemicals and no medications. What a wonderful gift to every woman.

Oh, and just for the sake of any curious readers, I do not receive commission from any of the WaterWorks that are sold, so there is no monetary incentive for me in telling you about it. I was just so excited when I discovered WaterWorks and met the inventor, because now women had a natural way to combat feminine odor and discharge without having to use chemicals or medications. All natural. What could be better than this?

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Can I Use WaterWorks to "Clean Up" After Sex?

A great question came this week from JMW. She has noticed that after having sex with her husband, she 'leaks' his semen for a day or two, and wondered if using WaterWorks after vaginal intercourse would stop this from happening. She also wondered how long it take for the water to drain out of your vagina after using WaterWorks. I'm assuming the last part comes from a worry that water, instead of semen, would 'leak' out for a day or two.

Your question is one of concern for so many women, and one that I am asked quite often. Women tell me that even bathing or showering after sex doesn't seem to help. After awhile, it's hard to know if the “leaking” is still semen, or perhaps the beginnings of an infection. How many of you have experienced this? WaterWorks is a perfect way to clean-up after vaginal sex. With proper cleaning between use, WaterWorks is designed to be used time and time again, so you don't have to keep spending money once you've purchased it. Plus it uses only plain tap water; no chemicals and no special solutions.

It is the design of the stainless steel nozzle that makes WaterWorks unique. The reaction of stainless steel and water with the vaginal mucosa removes any odors. Also, because it gently sprinkles water in a downward direction within the vagina (no high pressure or shooting action), the water drains out immediately. So, it will rinse out the semen or any vaginal discharge with no 'leaking' after use. WaterWorks can be used daily with no side effects.

We know from our previous answers that it is important for the vagina to maintain a low pH to stay healthy and keep yeast and bacterial infections away. That is why hygiene after vaginal sex is so important. It is important to rinse the semen out as soon as possible as it has a higher pH. The longer it stays in the vagina, the more likely it is to cause unusual vaginal odors, and destroy the delicate vaginal environment that keeps infections away.

You may be interested to learn that the vagina does not go straight up vertically. When a woman stands upright, the vagina actually lies in a slanted, horizontal plane; it goes up, in, and back towards your tailbone and this is why it takes so long for semen to drain out. Also, semen and discharge are thicker than water, and therefore take longer to drain out

One of the top uses for WaterWorks is to help with daily hygiene, especially rinsing out semen after vaginal intercourse. And with WaterWorks this can be done safely without disrupting the vagina's own defense like douching does. Don’t forget, douching with traditional disposable douches can actually create an environment that can lead to yeast and bacterial infections. So I hope this answers your question. I hope you are all having a great summer! It is hot, hot here in the Southwest, but lots of blue sky and sunshine.

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Vaginal Discharge: What is Normal and What is Not?

Vaginal discharge in women is normal,and what is normal changes throughout a woman's menstrual cycle, pregnancy,and a woman's lifetime. Thankfully we will be covering this topic in detail for all of you over the next several weeks.

As a woman and a physician I think it is so important for each of you to get to know your own bodies and how it functions. As your body cycles through the month, the change in hormones that cause ovulation and allows for menstruation, also will change the consistency and amount of vaginal discharge. After our menstrual cycle ends, women will notice a thick, creamy whitish discharge for the next week. This is normal and should not have an odor or cause itching, burning or any type of vaginal pain or irritation.

With ovulation comes a clear, sticky discharge that is very distinct in that it can look and feel like a stringy mucous. For fertility purposes,this discharge can be graded in its stretchability. This has a name called 'spinnbarkeit'. The better it stretches, the more likely is ovulation and fertility! Once ovulation has ended, (about 72 hrs) then the vaginal discharge will become clear and watery due to the post-ovulation progesterone effect as the egg passes from the body. Some women can also have a transient change in odor.

In menopause women will have a reduction of female hormones and this causes a decrease in vaginal discharge. Pregnancy, because there is such an increase in estrogen (the primary female hormone), will significantly increase vaginal discharge.

If you can begin to trust and understand how your body functions normally, then it will be easier for you to know what it means when you see changes. When there is abnormal discharge, the change will be significant.

Sometimes there will be an abnormal amount of discharge and the color may change to yellow, green, brownish, gray or may have some blood in it, that is not associated with menses. Also abnormal discharge is usually accompanied by an unusual odor that
causes distress. This is because it is usually associated with infection.

So, I hope this helps you to begin to understand your body better as a woman. Normal discharge is usually clear or white and rarely has an odor. It is normal to have vaginal discharge.

All women have it, just be aware of any changes and don't be afraid to ask questions.

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