Foul-Smelling Vaginal Discharge

Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free

Reviewed By:

Seiji Kanazawa

Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN))

Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Please choose the symptom you are most concerned about.

It will help us optimise further questions for you.

By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Find another symptom

How Ubie can help you

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

Your symptoms

Input your symptoms

Our AI

Our AI checks your symptoms

Your report

You get your personalized report

Personalized Report

✔︎  When to see a doctor

✔︎  What causes your symptoms

✔︎  Treatment information etc.

People with these symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Large amount of vaginal discharge with bad smell

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Learn More

Content updated on Jan 4, 2023

About the symptom

Foul smelling vaginal discharge describes any unpleasant or unusual smell that comes from the vagina.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Intermenstrual bleeding

  • Increase in vaginal discharge

Possible causes

  • Bacterial vaginosis

    The human vagina in a healthy state contains several types of bacteria. When the balance of bacteria is disrupted, some types can overgrow and cause symptoms. Common triggers are vaginal washing, sexual intercourse, or use of an Intrauterine Device

  • Candida vulvovaginitis

    This is a fungal infection by Candida that affects the vaginal area. Candida normally exists on skin and vaginal linings with no issues. An infection occurs when the skin or vaginal lining changes in character such that it promotes an overgrowth of Candida. People with weakened immune systems or who are on birth control pills may be at increased risk.

  • Atrophic vaginitis

    A condition where the vaginal surface becomes dry and thin. This is commonly seen after menopause, due to a decrease in female hormone levels. Symptoms include itching and painful intercourse.

  • Threatened abortion
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Vaginitis
  • Pyometra

Related serious diseases

  • Premature rupture of membranes

    Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a rupture of the membranes (amniotic sac) before labor begins, close to term. If membrane rupture occurs before 37 weeks' , it's called preterm PROM. PROM occurs in about 8% to 10% of all pregnancies. In most cases, the cause of PROM is unknown. Risk factors include infections of the uterus/ cervix/ vagina. or Increased amniotic fluid cauing too much stretching of the amniotic sac.

  • Threatened preterm labor

  • Chorioamnionitis

Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom

  • Does the vaginal discharge smell worse recently?

  • Are you experiencing mental stress or physical exhaustion?

  • Have you had vaginal bleeding, brown or pink colored vaginal discharge outside of your periods? Or, after the menopause?

  • Have you experienced increased vaginal discharge recently?

  • Do you have a thick white vaginal discharge like cottage cheese or yogurt?

Other Related Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

Reviewed By:

Seiji Kanazawa

Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN))

Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD

Neurology

Kameda Medical Center, Japan

Yu Shirai

Yu Shirai, MD

Psychiatry

Yotsuya Yui Clinic, Japan

Yoshinori Abe

Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal medicine

Co-founder of Ubie, Inc.

Rohini R

Rohini R, MD

Ear, nose, throat (ENT)

Bayshore Health Centre, India

Seiji Kanazawa

Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD

Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)

National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan

View our medical experts