Smelling 'fishy' is a sign of bacterial vaginosis.
this post was submitted on 17 Dec 2025
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I was told this is how a vagina naturally smells, though, without an infection. The infection just makes the existing smell stronger.
You were told wrong. A fishy smell is not normal.
Not trying to mansplain vaginas here, but I've probably smelled more of them than most straight women.
In my experience, most don't smell fishy. The scent you're describing sounds pretty normal. Smell will vary person to person, and is largely dictated by vaginal flora and hygiene. Your crotch is essentially an armpit, so it should smell a little sweaty and gross after a long day, just like your pits. Putrid/fishy smell is typically a sign of abnormal flora, which can be caused by bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection.
If your cooch has always smelled that way and you bathe regularly and don't have any weird discharge or symptoms, don't worry about it. You're totally normal.
Bruh, again? If your doctor says you are healthy then you are fine.
I'm not implying it's unhealthy, just asking if it's unusual, since based off of what I've read and heard, the typical smell "down there" for a woman seems to be a smell a lot of people compare to tuna.
I'm not a doctor but I'm pretty sure everyone varies and you usually dont want to smell like that down there.
A fishy smell is a bad sign. You can get it during your period but it shouldn't be permanent
"fishy" = bacterial vaginosis
The common scent element in healthy cis women is "tangy".
Estrogen causes the vaginal walls to secrete glycogen, which gets eaten by lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid.
Lack of tanginess can be caused by low estrogen levels. It tells us about your current endocrine ecology, not your gender identity.
Why are you talking about orientation and gender identity, nobody else is
Did gender hurt your feelings?
That was a stupid response, you should be embarrassed.
Sure thing, sweet meat.
Username checks out.
The fuck? Fishy smell is an infection, not a healthy vagina. You are usual, no worries.
My wife doesn't smell like fish at all, she does get a small around that time of the month. But it's more of a sweaty smell
Nope. You're normal.
I'm no expert, but I've only experienced fishiness after sex or a few days without a shower.