Why Does My Vagina Smell Like Onions?

This article explores some of the reasons why your vagina smells like onions. It provides in-depth information on some of the causes.

 

Why Does My Vagina Smell Like Onions? Causes 

It can be quite worrisome, when it becomes kinda incessant. The urge to find out the answers as to why does my vagina smell like onions. For an instance, let's assume that before you left your house, you had your showers and did everything necessary, such as using deodorant to keep yourself smelling nice and fresh. But unknown to you, these nice art of trying to be clean comes out the other way round when your vagina started smelling like onions.

This can be quite an awful situation. Why don't you let us give answers to your question, that is, "why does my vagina smell like onions?"

6 Possible Causes: Why Does My Vagina Smell Like Onions?

Noteworthy, onion vagina is not something to be ashamed of. This is because, basically, vaginas are of different types and each person with a type can have some things go wrong with them.

There are several answers to why does my vagina smell like onions, as Onion vaginas can be caused by varieties of things.

Learn about them below!

1. The Food Eaten

One of the reasons your vagina smell like onions is as a result of the food you ate. It is most likely for your vagina to smell like onions if you eat onion or garlic, The same way these foods can make your mouth stink for minutes, they are also known as the common foods that are known to change the way your vagina smells.

A report by Dr. Debora Nucatolah, the Medical Director at Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, states categorically that eating garlic and onions can create a smell in your vaginal discharge that lasts for 24 to 48 hours.

2. Tampon

Also, a forgotten tampon in your vagina during menstruation can also cause your vagina to smell like onions. The scent mix of both rotting cotton fibers and menses can produce this onion smell.

You can use the shower and clean yourself if this is the cause.

Also, in a nutshell, forgetting tampons in your vagina us quite unhygienic and can cause other bacterial infections. Hence, aside causing your vagina to smell like onions, it can also be detrimental to you health.

 

3. Sweat

This is one thing that we can hardly overrule out of the causes as to why does my vagina smell like onions. It is natural for humans to sweat. There's nothing strange about it.

However, the mixture of this sweat with vaginal fluid can cause your vagina to smell like onions. However, the kind of smell such mixture produces differs depending on the kind of vagina you have.

You can take your shower as earlier advices or change your clothes to get rid of this onions smell.

4. Medicine or Medications

Medications or drugs are somethings to consider. For instance, the antibiotics can sometimes can kill off your vagina flora.  This unbalancing of your woman cave can produce stinky aromas.

As for the smell, if it persists after you're done with the medication according to prescriptions, you should consider visiting your doctor. 

5. Bacterial vaginosis

Technically, one interesting thing about vagina is the ability to balance to balance both normal bacteria with bad bacteria. However, this doesn't evade the possibility that an imbalance could occur.

Once this occurs, you're bound to have bacteria vaginosis. This is because the bad bacteria may outgrow the other. Noteworthy, this can happen at any age and it mostly happens during a woman's productive years.

After identifying this as one of the reasons as to why does my vagina smell like onions, it's also imperative to further identify the common symptoms of bacteria vaginosis.

The common symptoms of bacteria vaginosis are

• a thick discharge that’s white or gray
• a strong fishy smell, especially after sex or a shower
• itching

Despite the fact that the symptoms can be identified, not all women experience these. Hence, it's probable that you might not experience any of the aforementioned symptoms. But if notice some unusual gray discharge along with some onions smell, this could be a sign that you have bacteria vaginosis.

Once you notice this, you should ensure you keep up to your personal hygiene. But if it doesn't go, visit your antibiotics and other necessary treatments and medical advice.

6. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is another infection that can cause your vagina to smell like onions. According to the reports given by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trusted Source, an estimated 3.7 million Americans are affected by trich. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with trich than men, and older women are more at risk than younger women.

But then, what is Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is an infection that is caused by a single-cell animal called a Trichomonas vaginalis. These are microscopic organisms that are transferred during sexual encounters. Technically, it is considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Just like Bacterial vaginosis, not all infected people develop Trichomoniasis symptoms. According to reports, only about 30% of the infected people develop symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Trichomoniasis

These are the common symptoms of are Trichomoniasis:

• strong vaginal odor
• discomfort during urination
• unusual vaginal discharge
• itching
• burning
• discomfort

To get it treated, you should visit your doctor for medications. Try not to engage in any home medications or treatment.

7. Poor hygiene

Poor personal hygiene can also cause your vagina to smell like onions. Naturally, the vagina is expected to kept healthy to prevent getting infected with bacteria. This is because these bacteria, as mentioned, are to be balanced in order to prevent irritations.

Not washing your underwear can cause vagina irritation or infection. Other things that can cause this are:

8. Wearing tight fitted clothes

Some cottons can also cause these. Hence, it's advice to war cotton underwear.

One thing  to get rid of onion smell in your vagina is by washing your labia and vaginal area regularly with mild soap and water. Washing removes bacteria while removing dead skin and dried sweat.

9. Rectovaginal fistula

Another reasons as to why does my vagina smell like onions is rectovaginal fistula. This is an abnormal opening that occurs between your rectum and your vagina. This happens when the lower portion of your large intestine leaks into your vagina.

This can then cause unusual odours, which you may mistake as vaginal odour. 

Rectovaginal fistulas occurs as a result of an injury, such as during childbirth. Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease are also common causes.

The symptoms of a rectovaginal fistula depend on where the opening is and how large it is. For example, you may notice gas, stool, or pus coming from your vagina instead of your rectum. You may just smell an unusual odor if the opening is small.

You may also develop an infection around the opening, which may lead to fever, burning, itching, and irritation.

See a doctor if you suspect you have this condition. Surgery is the most common treatment for a fistula. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to eliminate any infection or anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce sensitivity and irritation.

10. Yeast infection and Hormonal change.

These are the two other causes of vagina smelling like onion.