Your body is full of strange and wonderful surprises. Some of them, unfortunately, can be an odor. While sweat odor is normal, if you notice a strong smell from your underwear, it could be due to other reasons. Keep reading to learn about some potential causes and basic treatments.
1. What Causes Vaginal Odor in Women?
The vagina relies on a balanced pH to maintain tissue health. If an infection or other changes occur, the pH balance can be disrupted, leading to unusual odors. Here are some potential causes:
Bacterial Vaginosis
This common condition affects women of reproductive age and occurs due to an overgrowth of bacteria.
Symptoms include:
- Abnormal or excessive gray or white vaginal discharge
- A strong odor that can be described as "fishy"
- Itching and a burning sensation in the vagina
Although the condition can resolve on its own, doctors may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications to reduce the impact of the infection.
Trapped Tampon
Sometimes, a tampon can be inserted at an angle and the string can move up inside the vagina. As a result, you may forget about the tampon or have difficulty removing it, leaving it in longer than intended.
Symptoms of a trapped tampon include:
- Discolored discharge with a foul odor
- Pain during urination
- Fever
- Swelling inside or around the vagina
The cervical opening is not large enough for a tampon to pass through, but a trapped tampon can cause serious side effects, including toxic shock syndrome.
To avoid this, remove the tampon with clean hands and trimmed nails as soon as possible.
Trichomoniasis
This sexually transmitted infection (STI) affects about 3.7 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While only one-third of people with the condition experience symptoms, they include:
- Discolored vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Pain around the genital area
- Unusual fishy odor
Treatment involves antifungal medications like metronidazole. A person can be reinfected with trichomoniasis even after previous treatment.
Rectovaginal Fistula
This abnormal connection between the rectum and vagina allows stool and other intestinal contents to leak into the vagina.
The most common cause of third- or fourth-degree vaginal tears is childbirth-related trauma. However, a history of surgery, Crohn's disease, or cancer can also contribute to this condition.
Symptoms include:
- Gas odor from the vagina
- Unusual bleeding
- Stool passing through the vagina
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes due to menopause can thin the vaginal tissues, affecting the pH balance in the vagina. This can cause an unusual acidic odor.
Although the smell does not necessarily require treatment, doctors can treat vaginal atrophy due to menopause with local or oral hormone therapy.
Cervical or Vaginal Cancer
Cervical or vaginal cancer often does not cause symptoms until the later stages. However, some people may notice:
- Unusual bleeding
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor
Treatment methods depend on the type of cancer and whether it has spread. They may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
2. What causes groin odor in men?
People with penises can also experience infections and other conditions that can cause unusual and strong odors.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating. Men are particularly prone to groin irritation due to the testicles rubbing against the skin, creating friction and increasing sweating. The sweat can attract fungi and bacteria, leading to an odor.
This can be managed with cornstarch to absorb excess sweat, washing and drying the groin area regularly with mild soap, and wearing loose-fitting underwear (such as boxer shorts). If excessive sweating continues, doctors may prescribe medications to treat hyperhidrosis.
Smegma
Smegma can occur in uncircumcised men, where dead skin cells, fluids, and oils accumulate. This can lead to a thick, white, and strong-smelling substance accumulating under the foreskin. Excess accumulation can cause swelling, redness, and discomfort.
If left untreated, smegma can lead to balanitis (inflammation of the glans penis). Removing smegma involves retracting the foreskin and gently cleaning with mild soap and warm water.
Balanitis
Balanitis is a condition that often affects uncircumcised men, causing the foreskin to become tight, leading to infection and irritation of the glans penis. Symptoms include:
- Itching
- Pain
- Tight foreskin
Some people also experience painful urination. Treatment for balanitis includes topical creams to reduce inflammation and itching, as well as antibiotics or antifungal medications to treat the infection.
Non-Gonococcal Urethritis
Non-gonococcal urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra (the tube through which urine passes before leaving the penis).
Common causes include chlamydia infection and urethral trauma, such as catheter trauma. The presence of bacteria can cause an unpleasant odor.
Doctors often treat this condition with antibiotics, such as doxycycline.
Fournier's Gangrene
Fournier's gangrene is a serious infection of the penis, scrotum, or perineum. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Swelling of the genital area
- Severe, foul-smelling odor from the groin indicating tissue death
Treatment involves antibiotics to treat the infection and surgery to remove dead tissue. If left untreated, it can be fatal. Some people may need reconstructive surgery to treat this condition.
3. What causes groin odor in everyone?
Some basic causes of groin odor affect both women and men:
Poor Hygiene
Not bathing regularly can lead to dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells accumulating, causing your clothes to smell strong. You can reduce these effects by bathing regularly and washing with mild soap and warm water.
Excessive Sweating
Sweat in the groin area can attract fungi and bacteria, leading to an odor. Showering after exercise or physical activity can help reduce the unpleasant effects of sweat-related odors.
Wearing clean and dry clothes after sweating can also be helpful. Avoid wearing tight clothing, which can make you sweat more.
Diet
Eating certain foods can temporarily affect your body odor. This includes the smell of sweat or urine.
Foods that can cause strong body odor include asparagus, garlic, onions, peppers, vinegar, pickled fish, and fermented dairy products.
Medications
Some medications can increase your body's ability to sweat, increasing the odor in the groin area. This is true for some antidepressants, including:
- Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta)
- Escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro)
- Paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil)
- Sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft)
Sex
It's normal to notice an unusual odor in your groin after sexual activity. Vigorous sexual activity can increase sweating, leading to an odor. If you or your partner have a yeast infection or other infection, the odor can increase.
You don't need to use anything special to clean your penis or vagina after sexual activity to reduce the odor. Instead, you can just use mild soap and water.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria invade the urinary tract. Symptoms can include:
- Painful urination
- Pain on one side
- Nausea
- Foul-smelling urine that you can smell through your clothes
Treatment for a UTI can include antibiotics, drinking plenty of water, and using over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce pain.
Urine
Sometimes, urine leakage can cause urine to remain on your underwear or skin. This can lead to a groin odor. If you have a urinary tract infection, you may particularly notice an unpleasant odor.
Practicing good hygiene, such as changing underwear when wet or wiping the groin area with mild soap, warm water, and a towel, can be helpful.
Yeast Infection
Yeast infections can affect people with both penises and vaginas. They can cause a bread-like odor in the groin area, as well as unusual discharge, itching, redness, and skin irritation.
Treatment can include topical antifungal medications or oral antifungal medications. If you have recurrent yeast infections, you should talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Some sexually transmitted infections can lead to unusual or foul-smelling discharge in the groin area. These conditions do not always cause symptoms, which is why it is important to get regular STI screenings.
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References
Cervical cancer. (2019). Chung, JM, et al. (2019). Microbiology of smegma: prospective comparative control study. Fournier gangrene. (2017).
