What Every Husband and Dad Needs to Know About "VO" or Vaginal Odor

HELP!! My wife has "V.O." (Vaginal Odor), what can I do to help her?

There are few things more annoying, or concerning to a woman than a vaginal odor problem. 

First of all, if you have noticed a recent change in your wife's vaginal scent, she too, may have also noticed.  The next time you are intimate, or after you are intimate, you may want to let her know that you have noticed a change in her vaginal scent.  

Secondly, all menstruating women's vaginas go through monthly changes wherein their vagina's smell or scent changes from one day to the next, and throughout her monthly menstrual cycle. Also, the amount of vaginal secretions, cervical mucous and vaginal moisture, changes from one day to the next, and throughout the monthly menstrual cycle.  This is due to the flow of hormones that produce these changes throughout her cycle and also the reason for her monthly menstruation, if she has not conceived. 

Next, a woman that has a vaginal odor problem, probably already knows she has a problem, and can be related to many things related to her menstrual hygiene, vaginal hygiene, and/or feminine hygiene, but may also be an indication of a medical condition that may need immediate treatment.  Because you are concerned about her health, you may want to let her know that you suspect that there may be a problem and that you would like her to go see her ob-gyn to make sure that there is nothing serious.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms related and possible causes of V.O. (vaginal odor):

Vaginal odor may be the result of an inflammation of her vagina.  The vaginal inflammation is often a result of infection in or around the vagina or vulva, called the vulvovaginal area. Sometimes this condition is referred to as vulvovaginitis.

Causes of Vaginal Odor

Bacterial Vaginosis 
Chlamydia  
Genital Herpes  
Gonorrhea 
Lymphogranuloma Venereum ("LGV") 
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ("PID")
Sexually Transmitted Infection(s)
Syphilis 
Trichomonas
Vaginal Yeast Infection (candida)
Vulvovaginitis 


Bacterial Vaginosis leads to vaginal odor, what causes it?

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a type of vulvovaginitis. Bacterial Vaginosis occurs due to an overgrowth of one or more organisms that are normally present in your/your wife's vagina. 

Many times, when a woman begins taking antibiotics, these antibiotics kill off the natural organisms in her vagina.  This may cause some organisms in her vagina to multiply, and these organisms produce chemicals that cause a fish-like odor characteristic of BV. Vaginal odor may be more acute, and stronger after sexual intercourse. 

Many times, while a woman may believe that vaginal douching prevents or helps prevent vaginal odor, especially after menstruation, douching actually disrupts the normal flora, or naturally occurring organisms that normally live in the vagina.  Vaginal douching, therefore,  may actually increase the risk of vaginal infection.

Signs and symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis include(s): 

*  Grayish-white vaginal discharge
*  Vaginal itching or irritation
*  Vulva/labial redness, irritation, swelling and redness

Treating Bacterial Vaginosis is normally started after a visit to the ob-gyn who may  prescribe medication(s) - usually antibiotics.

Other causes of vaginal odor include the following:

Poor vaginal, menstrual or feminine hygiene methods.

Not changing tampons, or menstrual pads frequently enough.

"Losing" or forgetting a tampon in the vagina, which may lead to a vaginal infection. 

Rarely, an advanced tumor of the cervix or vagina will cause a vaginal odor problem.