Why does period blood smell

But if your flow smells like death, fish, or rotten eggs you might be dealing with:. Most bad odors can be remedied with a shower or pad change.

To better understand this phenomenon, we researched why period weight gain happens, what to expect, and how to manage the monthly shift. Period pain is usually caused by period cramps, but what exactly do menstrual cramps feel like? Day one of your period, and your lower back hurts like a mother. Knowing that more than half of all women have pain during their periods probably….

Period underwear is designed to absorb and hold menstrual fluid, eliminating the need for a tampon, pad, liner, or cup — all of which have their pros…. Blood stains on clothing from menstruation is a frustration for many. Uterine fibroids are more common in Black women. Black women are also more likely to experience severe symptoms like heavy periods and have symptoms…. Way less. Periods smell.

So why does that time of the month bring a particularly unpleasant odor? Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology at Orlando Health in Florida, tells Health that our vaginas are home to many different bacteria, and when that bacteria mixes with blood, it produces an odor.

Simple as that. Greves says. From enigmatic PMS symptoms to an erratic poop schedule , your period throws some real curveballs at your body.

One that is less talked about but still perplexing is the odor of your period blood itself. You're pretty sure it's harmless, but you're still dying to know what's up with it. For real, why does period blood smell like that? Here's what we learned:. It's totally natural for your period blood to smell. Shirazian says, adding that, as you probably already know, there's more to your menstrual fluid than just blood.

You also expel bacteria, vaginal mucus, fluid, and tissue during your period, and that's why your period blood doesn't smell exactly like the blood that comes out of any other part of your body. That odor can be more or less intense, depending how long it sits in your uterus before leaving, but Dr. As far as what's normal and what isn't, Dr. A change in vaginal odor can signal a problem. Odor can also come from the bacteria that naturally accumulates during your period. This smell indicates that it is time to change the pad or tampon to control the odor.

The smell comes owing to a heavy flow. Also, read; Here are 3 things the smell of your period blood is saying about your health. This indicates that there is some infection like bacterial vaginosis and this can be accompanied by burning, especially during urination, irritation, itchiness, or vaginal discharge outside of menstrual bleeding.

When your periods smell like a copper coin then it is owing to the iron content in the blood and is not a matter of concern. When the periods smell like body odor then it is due to the apocrine sweat glands in the genital area. Apocrine sweat then mixes with bacteria on the skin and odor is produced.

The glands release this type of sweat when a woman is on her period. It can happen owing to not practicing good hygiene. Thus, you will have to keep the area clean down there, change tampons and sanitary pads from time to time.