Discharges from the body can sometimes emit putrid odor that is a nasty mix of chemicals produced as the body decomposes, including sulfur dioxide and methane. The best way to describe it would be the rotting smell of death. The bigger the affected area, the more tissue to break down, the more intense the smell. Sometimes no amount of perfume or fresheners can prevent the embarrassment that comes with such discharges.
The scientific reason for the bad smell is the combination of chemicals including sulfur dioxide, methane, benzene derivatives and multiple hydrocarbons manufactured as the decaying matter is broken down. However some dead animal-like smell emitted from discharges could be due to other factors.
Types of smelly discharge
Different parts of the body can produce smelly discharge, which often signals an infection. Different parts of the body produce different kinds of discharge, including:
Vaginal discharge
Some vaginal discharge is normal and healthy, and it is there to protect the vagina. Healthy vaginal discharge is usually clear or white and does not have a strong odor. Changes in the color, odor, or consistency of vaginal discharge can sometimes indicate a problem. Type of Vaginal discharge include;
- Fertility discharge: This happens two weeks before your next period and looks like raw egg white. It’s wet and slippery, does not smell or itch and gives you a ‘wet panty feeling’. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
- Brown mucus: This is usually a sign that your period is about to start or end. It’s not ‘bad blood’, just blood that may have been there for longer than a day. Old blood goes brown.
- Thick, White & Clumpy Discharge: This is usually a vaginal yeast infection also known as candidiasis, which is common and is caused by an imbalance of bacteria in your system.
- Itchy discharge: Usually means a fungal infection like thrush.
- Fishy-smelling discharge: This is usually an infection called bacterial vaginitis and is not a sexually transmitted infection.
- Smelly, frothy, green/yellow/white discharge is a sign of an infection – usually one that’s been passed on during sex. It’s important to have this type of discharge investigated and treated.
Penile discharge
Any fluid coming from the penis that is not semen or urine may be a sign of an infection or another health issue.
Discharge from the penis may be:
- colorless or cloudy
- white, yellow, or green
- thick or watery
- similar in consistency to cottage cheese
In some cases, penile discharge may occur with one or more of the following symptoms:
- a frequent need to urinate
- pain or a burning feeling when urinating
- soreness in the tip of the penis
- pain in the testicles, anus, belly, or lower back
Discharge from the anus
Any substance that comes from the anus besides stool is called anal discharge. Examples include mucus, pus, or blood.
Discharge from wounds
Wounds that have become infected with bacteria may produce smelly discharge.
Smelly sweat
The skin contains two types of sweat gland: eccrine and apocrine. The body has more eccrine glands, and their discharge does not smell.
Apocrine glands are located in the armpits and genital area. They produce a thicker fluid that reacts with bacteria on the skin to produce the typical body odor smell.
Causes of smelly discharge
Below are some causes of smelly discharge in different areas of the body.
Sexually transmitted infections
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) produce unusual discharge from the genitals. Some examples of STIs that can cause smelly discharge include:
Gonorrhea
Males with gonorrhea may notice white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Other possible symptoms include:
- a burning sensation when urinating
- painful or swollen testicles
- rectal discharge
Most females with gonorrhea experience no symptoms, though they may notice increased vaginal discharge. If other symptoms do occur, they may include:
- a painful or burning sensation when urinating
- bleeding between periods
- rectal discharge
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is another sexually transmitted bacterial infection. The majority of chlamydia infections do not cause any symptoms.
Males who do develop symptoms may have:
- discharge from the penis
- a burning sensation when urinating
- a burning feeling or itchiness around the opening of the penis
Females who develop chlamydia symptoms may have:
- unusual vaginal discharge with a strong odor
- discomfort when urinating or having sex
- genital itching or irritation
- abdominal pain
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted viral infection. Most people who acquire it develop no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include:
- smelly discharge from the genitals
- blisters around the genitals, anus, or mouth that may burst and become painful sores
- a burning sensation when urinating
Females with genital herpes may also experience bleeding between periods.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a type of parasitic STI. The parasite responsible is a single-celled microorganism called Trichomonas vaginalis. Around 70% of people with trichomoniasis develop no symptoms.
Males who do develop symptoms may experience:
- discharge from the penis
- itchiness or irritation inside the penis
- a burning sensation following urination or ejaculation
Females with trichomoniasis may experience:
- changes to vaginal discharge
- itching, burning, or soreness of the genitals
- redness of the skin on and around the genitals
- discomfort during urination
Smegma and balanitis
Smegma is a naturally occurring substance that helps lubricate the skin of the penis. Without daily washing, smegma can build up on the foreskin and head of the penis, causing an unpleasant odor. Also, smegma can harbor bacteria and fungi, resulting in an infection. This can cause inflammation of the head of the penis, which doctors call balanitis.
Depending on the exact cause of balanitis, some treatments include:
- antibiotics
- antifungal creams or ointments
- a mild steroid cream or ointment
Thrush
Thrush is a common fungal infection. In most cases, it results from an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. This yeast ordinarily lives harmlessly on and inside the body, but certain factors can cause it to multiply out of control.
Some people who develop thrush experience no symptoms. If symptoms do develop in females, they may include:
- typically odorless vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese
- vaginal itchiness and irritation
- soreness and stinging during sex or urination
Possible symptoms of thrush in males include:
- possibly smelly penile discharge that resembles cottage cheese
- a tight foreskin, or one that is otherwise difficult to pull back
- irritation, burning, and redness beneath the foreskin and around the head of the penis
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal condition among females of reproductive age. It results from an imbalance in the numbers of harmful and helpful bacteria in the vagina. Females with BV may have unusual vaginal discharge, which may be white or gray and watery or frothy. The discharge can sometimes have an unpleasant, fishy odor.
Other possible symptoms of BV include:
- vaginal irritation
- itchiness of the skin around the vagina
- a burning sensation when urinating
Foreign object in the vagina
A forgotten tampon or another foreign object inside the vagina can produce a bad, rotting smell. If the object is not fragile, and there are no other symptoms, a person can remove it themselves. Otherwise, a doctor should.
It is important to remove the object as soon as possible. Otherwise, toxic shock syndrome can develop. This involves bacteria releasing toxins into the body, and without prompt treatment, it can be fatal.
Anal fistula
Smelly discharge from the area of the anus may result from an anal fistula. This is a small channel that has formed between the end of the bowel and the skin near the anus.
Other possible symptoms of an anal fistula include:
- constant throbbing pain in the anus
- swelling or redness around the anus
- stool that contains pus or blood
- difficulty controlling bowel movements
- Doctors usually recommend surgery to treat an anal fistula.
Trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria is an inherited condition that produces an odor of rotting fish. People with trimethylaminuria are unable to break down a strong-smelling compound called trimethylamine. As a result, the body releases trimethylamine in sweat, urine, genital discharge, and breath.
Although there is no cure, lifestyle modifications can help control the smell. A person may, for example, avoid certain foods that can increase fishy body odors, such as:
- seafood and shellfish
- liver and kidney
- eggs
- cow’s milk
- beans
- peanuts
- supplements containing lecithi
READ: How To Properly Wash Your Vagina
