I have fishy vaginal discharge. Is it a vaginal infection?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a smelly vaginal discharge for the past two years. It seems to be a fishy odor. I never had any sexual intercourse. I have itching in my vagina. I am scared whether I have a vaginal infection. Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You seem to have bacterial vaginosis. It is not an infection. It occurs due to an imbalance of healthy and unhealthy bacteria in the vagina. Every woman can have this imbalance. They act as security by preventing new infections from entering the body. Using Vaginal wash or douching or antibiotics helps to kill the bacteria and disturb the balance. You can use oral Lactobacillus capsules. You can use Vaginal wash daily for five to ten days or with yogurt or curd twice daily. Using vaginal tampons can serve as a source of infection in the vagina. You need to take a good course of antibiotics orally and vaginally. Check your blood sugar levels frequently if you have a family history of diabetes. Correction of blood sugar levels can cure this problem. There is a rare possibility in you to have vaginal tuberculosis. If anyone in your proximity has TB (tuberculosis) or if your area has too many cases of TB, then you need to test your menstrual blood for TB.