Thank you for your question! Anytime you have a discharge that is unusual for you, it’s a good idea to check in with your gynecologist or health care provider, which you did- well done! However, if you’re told that “you’re fine” and your symptoms don’t go away within a couple of days, it’s important to call your health care provider (HCP) back and let them know.
Vaginal discharge that has a “fishy” scent or odor is often (but not always) linked to Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), which is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria and an organism called Gardnerella vaginalis. Small amounts of these anaerobic bacteria are normally found in your vagina. When the balance of organisms in your vagina is upset, these bacteria multiply and overgrow causing symptoms. Not all women who have BV will have symptoms. The women who do, often complain of a light to heavy, thin, grayish-white fishy smelling vaginal discharge. The odor usually becomes stronger during menstruation (period) or after unprotected sexual intercourse. BV requires prescription treatment, that’s why it’s important to call your HCP and get tested to find out what is causing your symptoms. Ask your provider if you could have BV or if your symptoms are caused by something else.
Read more about BV: https://youngwomenshealth.org/2012/09/21/bacterial-vaginosis/
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.