Why do I have a sweet-smelling discharge before and after period? Is it a sign of pregnancy? A change in odor can scare you especially if the smell is strange. Here’s what it means and when you should see a doctor.
- If you have recently noted a sweet smell from your reproductive organ, you should first relax given that it is rarely a negative sign.
- Even if it is the first time you are having such a discharge, you need not worry unless you are having other signs and symptoms of a disease.
Causes: why does my discharge smell sweet?
At any time, there are healthy bacteria in the reproductive organ together with yeast. These two coexist by keeping the other one in check. Overgrowth of either one of them will cause a disease and symptoms on the body.
- When the amount of the lactobacillus bacteria goes down, the yeast will increase leading to a yeast infection.
- On the other hand, when the bacteria outgrows the yeast, you will have symptoms that are different from those of a yeast infection. The symptoms are usually of bacteria.
- The lactobacillus bacteria cause a fruity or yogurt-like smell whenever it is in reasonably large amounts.
Among the causes of the imbalance that can lead to the lactobacillus bacteria to grow and release the sweet smell discharge include the following:
1. High blood sugar
When the level of blood sugar is higher than normal, you could observe a sweet smelling discharge.
The case is this way given that the yeast often feed on sugar and produce a sweet smell in the process.
When you feed on foods and drinks that are sugary or have a high carbohydrate level, you will be likely come across this sweet smell.
When you check for your blood sugar before eating and find it is more than the 70 to 110 range before eating, or more than 140 two hours after eating and you have the sweet smell, chances are high that the high blood sugar levels are the cause of your smell.
2. Hormonal changes
Hormones play an instrumental role in the type, thickness, color and smell of the discharge. When you are aroused, for example, your body produces pheromones that attract your partner. In women, the pheromones are sweet and fruity in nature.
These pheromones will be found in all the major bodily fluids such as sweat and your discharge.
You may also observe their sweet scent in the main stages of pregnancy from early pregnancy, during the pregnancy and even for a short while after your baby is born.
3. Certain foods
Some fruits when eaten can lead to the sweet smell especially those of the citrus family. These include:
- Tangerines
- Pineapples
- Oranges
- Grapefruits and others.
If the smell you are observing is from eating of fruits, you shouldn’t worry about it given that it is a healthy sign.
Sweet smelling discharge during ovulation
The sweet-smelling discharge can also be noted around your ovulation time. It may indicate various aspects.
Given that ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovaries in the fallopian tubes, it is also under the control of hormones in the body like all bodily processes.
These same hormones cause a change in the reproductive organ and may lead to observable changes such as smell, color and consistency of the discharge during ovulation.
You may thus have the sweet smelling discharge during your ovulation time (2 weeks after your period) mainly due to the hormonal changes that occur in the body.
Besides your diet, you may experience the change in the smell due to the acidity of this area during ovulation.
This sweet smell is often used as a sign of ovulation or fertility by a good number of people since it appears around the time you are most fertile.
You will know you are ovulating if, midway your menstrual cycle, you see the following signs:
- Your discharge becomes egg-white in nature
- Mittelschmerz or ovulation cramps
- Increases in the Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
- Changes in the nature of the cervix to a SHOW (soft, high, open, wet)
- Slight pink spotting mid-cycle
- Feeling wetter than usual
- Increased libido
- Bloating
- Heightened senses
- Breast tenderness
Sweet smelling discharge before period
As your body prepares for a period, the level of acidity will go down due to the changes that occur in the hormones.
This reduction in the acidity may lead to the overgrowth of yeast to a certain extent. Although the discharge from yeast is known to be odorless, it may have a slightly sweet smell to it.
The change in the acidity is not enough to cause yeast infections although it can occur. You may have realized that you are more susceptible to yeast infections during your period.
The pH level before and during your period will go up to 7.4 which is alkaline in nature. Normally, the pH of the area is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is acidic in nature.
Unless you exhibit the symptoms of a yeast infection during your period, you need not worry about this smell. The symptoms include:
- A thick white discharge which has no odor and is cottage cheese-like in nature
- A watery discharge
- Rash
- Soreness and pain
- The skin around the area may turn reddish in color
- Burning sensation during urination and intercourse
- Itching in the area
If this occurs together with the sweet smell, see a doctor.
Sweet scent in discharge after period
When your period comes to an end, the level of acidity will once again go up. This decrease in the pH levels works in favor of the healthy bacteria lactobacillus and against the yeast present.
The bacteria, being of the same family as those found in yogurt, will lead to the sweet smelling discharge.
Again, if there are no symptoms of a disease, you shouldn’t worry about it since the increase in the acidity is what you need.
During pregnancy
The sweet smell can also be a part of your pregnancy. The reason for the sweet scent is the hormonal change that occurs in the body.
The scent is usually caused by the presence of pheromones which are chemicals that produced by animals to change the behavior of others.
In women, these chemicals are produced in response to men and motherhood as a whole. As such, you will produce pheromones during pregnancy and when sexually aroused.
This sweet smell will be observable in the early stages of your pregnancy, during the pregnancy and for a while after you have given birth.
Is a sweet smelling discharge a sign of pregnancy?
Most often, your body will start immediately preparing for motherhood as early as when you are about to ovulate. When fertilization occurs, it will be on full gear starting motherhood.
You will thus have the symptoms of a pregnancy as early as a week to your period. These include a sweet smelling discharge and other signs such as:
- Fatigue
- Tender breasts
- Slight cramps and spotting
- Headaches
- Food aversions and cravings
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mood swings
- Constipation and many others.
How to get rid of the discharge
There are several ways you can do away with the sweet smell. However, most of these methods will work only when you are sure it is not an infection or other issue but the natural odor. They include:
Garlic
When eaten on a daily basis, garlic will eliminate any yeast and bacteria that has grown out of hand. If the source of the smell is the microorganisms, it will be eliminated.
Hormonal birth control
Hormonal birth control is medication aimed at controlling the hormones since they are responsible for most of the changes.
Watch your diet
Always a good thing to hear since watching your diet determines a lot in your body.
Reduce the amount of citrus fruits you eat and observe the changes.
Do nothing
At times, the smell comes and goes as is the case during ovulation and your period. It will go away on its own after a while.
Keep your hygiene simple
Use mild soap with clean water when cleaning the area and avoid douching or using wipes and perfumed products.
Taking a pregnancy test
If the sweet smell occurs about the time you expect your period, you should take a pregnancy test given that it could be a sign of a pregnancy.
Even when the result is negative, repeat the same a week after the date you expected to see your period especially if you missed the period.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor in the following cases when having the sweet smelling discharge:
- Fever
- Itching
- Redness and soreness
- Intense cramps
- Bad odor
References
- Early Pregnancy Symptoms: 17 Signs to Look For – Healthline
- Yeast Infection Symptoms – Mayo Clinic
