If you're worried about vaginal health, now's the time to follow your nose. You can tell a lot about your vagina by the odors. When your vagina is healthy, it can smell musty or even a bit sour. Those odors are normal for a healthy vagina. There are a lot of bacteria inside your vagina. That's why you'll notice different odors from time to time. Over time, you get used to the natural odors that come from your vagina. If the odor suddenly changes, you need to pay attention. Odor changes can be a sign of vaginal problems. Read the list below. If you notice any of the following odors coming from your vagina, it's time to see your gynecologist. 

Ammonia

If your vagina has a strong ammonia odor, the first thing you need to do is drink more water. You might not know it, but dehydration can create a strong ammonia odor in your vagina. Increasing the amount of water you drink should eliminate the ammonia odor. But, it's still a good idea to visit your gynecologist because you could have an underlying infection from dehydration. 

Rotten

If you use tampons for your period protection, pay attention to vaginal odors. A rotten odor could be a sign that you've left a tampon inside for too long. Unfortunately, leaving a tampon inside for too long doesn't only create odor problems. It can also lead to serious health problems like toxic shock syndrome. This medical condition can be fatal if not caught fast enough. If you have rotten odors coming from your vagina, see your gynecologist right away. Be sure to let them know if you left a tampon in for too long. 

Yeasty

If you have a yeasty odor coming from your vagina, pay attention to other symptoms. You could have a yeast infection. That's especially true if you also have a thick white vaginal discharge. Luckily, yeast infections are easy to treat. But, you should see your gynecologist. Your gynecologist can get you started on the right treatment. They can also identify the cause of your yeast infections. 

Fishy

If your vagina has a fishy odor, don't wait to see your gynecologist. A fishy odor can be a sign that you have bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection that can cause pelvic pain and itching. With early treatment, the infection will clear up. 

Contact your gynecologist for more information. 

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