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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Trichomoniasis - What are the signs and symptoms of trichomoniasis?
- Medline Plus: Vaginal Yeast Infection
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
What Are the Causes of Vaginal Itching & Foul Odor?
In healthy women, mild vaginal itching or odor is normal and should not cause concern. If you develop persistent or excessive vaginal symptoms, you could have an infection 2. Schedule an appointment with your gynecologist to determine the cause of your vaginal itching and foul odor symptoms.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Bacterial Vaginosis
There are a number of healthy bacteria that help maintain the normal acidic environment within the vagina. If the levels of a protective bacterium--called lactobacilli--decrease abnormally within the vagina, you can develop a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis 2. Symptoms of this infection include vaginal itching and a foul, fishy odor, which can be exacerbated by sexual intercourse or your menstrual period 2. You may also experience excess vaginal discharge that is white or gray, explains The Merck Manuals: Home Edition, a medical encyclopedia for caregivers and patients. Treatment of bacterial vaginosis typically involves antibiotics that are administered vaginally or orally.
- There are a number of healthy bacteria that help maintain the normal acidic environment within the vagina.
Trichomoniasis
Symptoms of Lactobacillus Overgrowth
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Women who develop trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease, can experience symptoms of vaginal itching and foul odor due to this infection 2. This condition is caused by the presence of a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis within the vagina. If you have trichomoniasis, you can experience vaginal itching or irritation and may develop abnormal vaginal discharge that is yellowish in color and has a strong, foul odor. Additional symptoms associated with this condition include lower abdominal pain or discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse, warn health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic medication to help resolve symptoms associated with this infection.
Yeast Infection
A vaginal yeast infection occurs due to the overgrowth of Candida albicans--a naturally occurring fungus that resides within the vagina, mouth and digestive tract 2. Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include severe vaginal itching and a foul, yeasty odor 2. Women with this condition typically also develop abnormal vaginal discharge that is thick, white or cottage cheese-like in consistency. Additional vaginal yeast infection symptoms can include swelling of the vulva or pain during sexual intercourse 2. This infection is typically resolved through the administration of antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories, explain health professionals at Medline Plus, an informational health website established by the National Institutes of Health 2.
Related Articles
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Trichomoniasis - What are the signs and symptoms of trichomoniasis?
- Medline Plus: Vaginal Yeast Infection
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vaginal pH. Updated September 27, 2018.
- Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan. Vaginal wet mount. Updated February 19, 2019.
- Mania-Pramanik J, Kerkar S, Mehta P, Potdar S, Salvi V. Use of vaginal pH in diagnosis of infections and its association with reproductive manifestations. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 2008;22(5):375-379. doi:10.1002/jcla.20273
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Vaginitis.
- Hemalatha R, Ramalaxmi BA, Swetha E, Balakrishna N, Mastromarino P. Evaluation of vaginal pH for detection of bacterial vaginosis. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2013;138(3):354-9.
Writer Bio
Rae Uddin has worked as a freelance writer and editor since 2004. She specializes in scientific journalism and medical and technical writing. Her work has appeared in various online publications. Uddin earned her Master of Science in integrated biomedical sciences with an emphasis in molecular and cellular biochemistry from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.