The normally-acidic environment of the vagina is important for controlling bacterial growth in the vagina, and defending against infections. If you’re taking medication for a yeast infection, you shouldn’t have sex until you’re finished with treatment. Sex can cause more irritation, and certain antifungal medications can weaken the materials used in condoms and diaphragms. Can I use over-the-counter treatment for a vaginal yeast infection?

Pregnancy and childbirth. During pregnancy, vaginal discharge often increases. Vaginal tears are relatively common during childbirth. In some cases, an incision made in the tissue of the vaginal opening during childbirth (episiotomy) is needed. A vaginal delivery also can decrease muscle tone in the vagina. In total, we tested over 35 products from both popular and lesser-known brands in The Verywell Testing Lab. Our team of testers included 15 editors, each with their own unique experience in using deodorants and antiperspirants. For the test, each tester was instructed to apply the deodorant or antiperspirant to a clean and dry armpit, engage in at least 15 minutes of heart rate-elevating activity, and subsequently perform a sniff test. They also took note of any wetness or odor after 24 hours of wear.As a general rule, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, will elicit a softer scent compared with greasy, fast foods. Bacterial vaginosis can recur. Most recurrences will respond to the treatments described. Avoiding passing on bacterial vaginosis to a partner Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics. An antibiotic cream or gel to use in the vagina may be given instead of antibiotic tablets by mouth. In BV, other types of bacteria - called anaerobic bacteria, meaning they don't need oxygen to survive - grow rapidly in the vagina. One particular species called Gardnerella vaginalis seems to be very important. It forms a film over the lining of the vagina which other anaerobic bacteria can grow on. These bacteria produce ammonia - the chemical that causes the typical unpleasant fishy smell that BV discharge has.

The vagina is normally slightly acidic, which protects it from harmful germs. In BV, the vagina instead becomes alkaline. This can be caused by a shift in bacteria, and also makes the conditions right for bad bacterial to grow. A vaginal yeast infection is a type of fungal infection. Your body contains a kind of yeast called candida, which causes vaginal yeast infections. Yeast is a type of fungus, and candida is a specific type of yeast. When this yeast is in balance within your body, there are no problems. But when the yeast is out of balance, it rapidly grows, and you can get a yeast infection. A yeast infection causes burning, itching, redness in your vulva (the outside parts of your vagina) and changes to your vaginal discharge. A yeast infection isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy

In BV, anaerobic bacteria - that don't need oxygen to live - grow, and these bacteria cause a vaginal discharge. Did you know that the vagina is a self-cleaning organ? It produces discharge to flush out irritants, bacteria, and dirt so there’s no need to use anything other than warm water to cleanse down there. That said, a lot of women, myself included, like to use soaps but it’s best to use those that are specially formulated for your delicate areas to avoid irritation. We evaluated products for efficacy, texture, scent, transfer resistance, and overall value—scoring each on a scale of 1 (would not recommend) to 5 (highly recommend) in these key categories. We also used testers’ scores and detailed insights to generate a list of the best women’s deodorants and antiperspirants on the market today.

Take some time to think through what things have changed in your routine,” she says. “What soaps you’ve been using, the type of underwear you’ve been wearing, and how tight your clothes are could all be the culprit.” If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, it may be a sign of an infection or problem. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are both STI’s and can cause bleeding between periods in women. They can also cause an unusual discharge and pain when peeing.These might claim to help eliminate odor-causing “bad” bacteria, but they also eliminate the “good” infection-fighting bacteria. Drinking plenty of water is good for more than just your skin. It can help your vagina’s overall health too, by encouraging healthy sweating and fluid release, Deysach says. 5. Eat a balanced diet Semen and ejaculate have a different pH compared with the vaginal canal, so P-in-V intercourse can lead to a disruption in pH, and cause a temporary scent change. You should not, under any circumstance, put garlic gloves, cottage cheese, or yogurt inside your vaginal canal. Using vaginal cleaning products such as vaginal douches, harsh soaps, vaginal deodorants, or other cleaning products such as bubble baths. All of these can make the vagina less acidic, reducing its natural defences and lead to BV.