Unfortunately due to embarrassment women spend money they can ill afford on products they believe will get the job done (rid vaginal odour).Just because a fem product box looks healthy does not mean the content is healthy. To start swabbing the vagina with unfamiliar creams/lotions can cause more harm than good. Your GP needs to determine your condition to be able to prescribe the right medication. If an infection is the cause of your vaginal odour, then oral consumption of tablets/pills will not help. To treat an infection will include antibiotics of which can not be obtained from over the chemist counter.

You can avoid upsetting the natural pH balance of the vagina by evading methods that can lead to vaginal infections. Vaginal douches, feminine hygiene products, perfumed or deodorant soaps smelling like roses are a few to mention.

Thrush Infection

Thrush is commonly recognized in women; however it can also affect men. Thrush is caused by yeast called Candida. Tiny amounts of Candida live on the skin and around the vagina. The immune system and harmless bacteria that normally live on the skin and in the vagina usually stop Candida from thriving. If conditions are good Candida amasses and can attack the vagina causing symptoms.

Because Candida settles in warm, moist, air free spots, answers the question why the vagina is the most likely place for this infection. Thrush can infect the groin and mouth

Thrush symptoms will show up in your discharge. Discharge is normally smooth off white and watery. Itchiness, redness, or pain outside of the vagina (the vulva) tells us thrush maybe the cause

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV for short) is a common infection which affects women. It is a condition of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of various bacteria (germs). Germs do no imply that you are dirty so no need to worry. Bacterial vaginosis is not just a simple infection caused by one type of bacterium.

The primary symptom of BV is a vaginal discharge. Most women get stressed over the fishy smell experience, well BV discharge often white-grey colour is known as the cause for the fishy smell.

Unlike thrush BV discharge does not as a rule cause symptoms of soreness and irritation around the vagina/vulva.

In BV, an 'overgrowth' of various bacteria erupts in the vagina for reasons unknown as we speak. The vagina is already infected with different types of bacteria (harmless). Although harmless they create a barrier against harmful germs such as Candida. In BV, there is a change in the balance of the normal bacteria in the vagina, and particular bacteria grow and flourish much more than normal. Medical experts explain these changes as "a change in the bacterial flora of the vagina from mainly lactobacillus species to high concentrations of anaerobic bacteria." A vaginal infection should not have you believing to bathe the vagina more than necessary. Compulsive cleansing is not recommended because it can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina, which may make Bacterial vaginosis more likely to develop.

About vaginal discharge

The crucial function of the vagina is to provide a pathway from the exterior of the vagina to the uterus and the internal reproductive system. The natural, acidic, pH of your vagina acts to prevent infections. The vagina is a self cleaning organ.

Every female will lose some amount of vaginal discharge. Glands in the vagina and cervix produce small amounts of fluid that flows out of the vagina everyday taking with it old cells that line the vagina. Normal discharge plays an important role in helping the vagina stay lubricated clean.

Normal vaginal discharge is often lucid or milky when dry on underwear. Signs for abnormal discharge or infection clotted cheese-like vaginal discharge, burning feeling when peeing , regular increases in vaginal discharge, change in colour, consistency, or loss, blood when not time of menstruation, Itchy rash or a foul odor accompanied by unusual coloured vaginal discharge (yellowish green).