Why Does My Vagina Smell Like Death? Aunt Vadge Explains

Author: Jessica Lloyd
Senior Naturopath | BHSc(N) | ISSVD, ISSWSH, BSSM, ATMS

Last reviewed: May 25, 2026

Hi Aunt Vadge,

I’ve started to notice this disgusting something-died smell in my woohoo area. I noticed it two or three periods ago.

I use tampons and I’ve never forgotten a tampon up there, but not long before I put one in, it starts to smell weird down there.

I shower everyday and my diet is ok (a typical college student diet) so I don’t know what the problem is. I really don’t want to stop using tampons because they’re really comfortable, more comfortable than pads.

Please help Auntie!

Yours,
Dead Inside
Age 19, USA
_____

Hi there Dead Inside,

It sounds like you have a vaginal infection or bacterial imbalance – all very treatable!

Some of the smelliest bacteria are associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and aerobic vaginosis (AV). If you’re sexually active, some sexually transmitted infections can also cause vaginal odour, such as gonorrhoea or trich.

The treatment for each condition is different, so getting tested is the essential first step.

What’s causing the death smell down there?

Foul vaginal odours are almost always down to bacterial activity.² The most common culprits are:

A rotten-meat vaginal smell is probably not caused by:

A yeast infection – yeast doesn’t cause foul odour, though it can smell yeasty (like bread)
A virus – viruses don’t cause these types of smells (like herpes or HPV)
Chlamydia – also doesn’t typically result in vaginal odour

Once you have a diagnosis, you can get targeted treatment. Ongoing odour is a sign that your protective vaginal bacteria are disrupted, and that won’t resolve on its own.¹

Why does my vagina smell worse around my period?

Your vaginal pH shifts during your period, and disruptive bacteria thrive in the less acidic, iron-rich environment that period blood creates.³ This can make the smell significantly worse – or more noticeable – at that time of the month.

Most bacteria require iron to survive, so period blood lingering in the vagina can amplify an existing imbalance (though the blood itself doesn’t cause the problem). You can read more about how bacteria use iron in our article on BV and iron.

The good news: these odours may ease between periods, which suggests the underlying issue is manageable with the right treatment.

Another reason a vagina can smell like something died is a forgotten tampon – rotting tissue has a very distinctive smell. You’ve said you don’t think that’s the case here, but worth keeping in mind.

Do I have to stop using tampons?

You can keep using tampons unless the issue turns out to be tampon-related – for example, a sensitivity to your brand. In that case, try an organic brand, or experiment with a menstrual cup or period undies for a couple of months to see if it makes a difference.

Getting treatment

See your doctor or a sexual health clinic – there should be one on your college campus, or nearby. Getting tested is straightforward.

Antibiotic treatment prescribed by a doctor is the standard medical treatment for BV or AV,¹ and is a good place to start. For sexually transmitted infections like trich or gonorrhoea, antibiotics usually clear things up quickly – any sexual partners will need treatment too.

After getting tested, if your treatment isn’t providing the results you’re after, check out our tried and tested at-home strategies for clearing up a smelly vagina, or consider an at-home vaginal microbiome test to get a clearer picture of what’s going on.

My Vagina’s Killing BV treatments are also highly effective for BV and AV, and don’t require a prescription.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my vagina smell like something died?

Almost always, a death-like vaginal smell is caused by disruptive bacteria – most commonly BV or AV. These bacteria produce compounds that create particularly foul, rotten odours. A forgotten tampon can also cause a dead-tissue smell, but you’d typically notice other symptoms too.^2,¹

Will this go away on its own?

It’s unlikely. Bacterial imbalances like BV and AV rarely self-resolve, and the fact that you’ve noticed this across two or three periods suggests the bacteria are well established. Getting tested and treated is the fastest route to fixing it.

Can my diet be causing this?

A typical college student diet won’t directly cause vaginal odour, but diet does affect immunity and your overall microbiome, which can make you more susceptible to imbalances. It’s not the likely cause here – the bacterial infection is the more obvious suspect.

Is the smell contagious to my partner?

BV in particular has a sexual transmission component, and partners can be involved in reinfection. If you’re sexually active, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor so they can advise on whether your partner needs treatment too.

How long will treatment take?

Standard antibiotic treatment for BV or AV is typically a short course – often 5–7 days. Results can be quick, though some people need a repeat course or a different approach if the first round doesn’t fully clear things.

Can I use tampons while being treated?

Check with your treating doctor or pharmacist, as some vaginal treatments (suppositories, creams) can interact with tampons or be less effective if absorbed by them. For oral antibiotics, tampons are generally fine.

What to do next

Book an appointment with your campus health clinic or GP and ask for a vaginal swab to test for BV, AV, and common STIs.
If you want more detail about what’s in your vaginal microbiome, consider an at-home vaginal microbiome test – it gives a full picture of which bacteria are present.
If you’ve already been tested and treated but the smell keeps returning, explore My Vagina’s Killing BV program, which is designed specifically for persistent BV and AV.
If you’d like personalised guidance, you can book a consultation with one of My Vagina’s vulvovaginal specialist naturopaths.

You’re going to be fine, Dead Inside. This is very fixable.

Love,
Aunt Vadge

References^2,3

1.
Abbe C, Mitchell CM. Bacterial vaginosis: a review of approaches to treatment and prevention. Front Reprod Health. Published online May 31, 2023. doi:10.3389/frph.2023.1100029
2.
Subramanian C, Nyirjesy P, Sobel JD. Genital Malodor in Women. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. Published online January 2012:49-55. doi:10.1097/lgt.0b013e31822b7512
3.
Keith L, Stromberg P, Krotoszynski BK, Shah J, Dravnieks A. The odors of the human vagina. Arch Gynak. Published online 1975:1-10. doi:10.1007/bf00673143