The Most Common Cause: Bacterial Imbalance
The most frequent reason for a fishy smell is a condition called bacterial vaginosis (BV).
BV happens when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina shifts. Normally, “good” bacteria (lactobacilli) dominate. When other bacteria overgrow, it can cause:
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A strong fishy odor
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Thin grayish or white discharge
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Odor that becomes stronger after intimacy
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Mild irritation (sometimes none at all)
It’s important to know:
BV is common.
It’s not necessarily a sexually transmitted infection.
And it’s treatable.