Unpleasant vaginal odor can be an indication for various infectious, chronic disorders in a female’s body. What if someone who has never suffered from such conditions, starts experiencing unpleasant odor from the vagina after inserting hormonal Intra-Uterine Device eg: Mirena? Is the implant really the thing to blame?
So, what is Mirena odor and remedy?
Mirena or hormonal IUD alters the hormonal balance in a female body and helps prevent fertilization. It’s common to experience some degree of bulky, smelly discharge during the initial period after placing the implant. While a specific degree of abnormality can be accepted, it’s when the smell becomes too prominent that you should start thinking of the causes.
Let’s dig deep into the causes behind the odor as well as some remedial measures.
Table of Content
What Is Mirena?
Mirena is a hormonal Intra-Uterine Device that can be used to provide long-term birth control to its users. Mirena is basically a T-shaped plastic framework that is inserted inside the uterus by a trained professional.
The device releases a hormone known as progesterone which helps inhibit fertilization by a few processes. It does so by:
- Partially Suppresses ovulation. Ovulation is the process by which the ovum or female gametes are released from the ovary. Without a female gamete, there can’t be any fertilization.
- Thickens the uterine lining. This creates an adverse atmosphere in which the male gamete or sperm cannot enter and subsequently can’t fertilize.
Once inserted, you are likely to experience some degrees of inconvenience during the initial days. The symptoms are likely to subside after a few weeks. It’s a point of concern if the problem continues for a long time and causes abnormal vaginal discharge and odor.
Let’s know more about Mirena odor and remedy.
Mirena Odor! Is Mirena the Real Culprit?
Insertion of a foreign device such as hormonal contraceptive Mirena might seem like an invitation for various infections and anomalies. But in reality, is Mirena truly responsible for the conditions? Let’s know a bit more about Mirena odor and remedy.
To be completely honest, it’s not essentially the Mirena but a number of ignorances on the part of the attending professional and the user that could be causing the bad odor formation. A few causes include:
Lack of Sterilization Before Insertion
It’s absolutely essential to insert the Mirena in a properly sterilized environment. Bear in mind, you are inserting a foreign object into your body. Any improper hygiene practice can very well act as a breeding ground for various pathogens.
The pathogens could be causing bad odor in your vagina as well as inflammatory diseases.
Heavy Periods
Hormonal contraceptives such as Mirena are responsible for causing a change in the natural balance in your body. As such, the reaction to such changes is not gonna be similar for all women.
In recent research, it’s been found that a number of women with period irregularities might experience spotting or bleeding outside the menstrual cycle, while some may also experience heavy bleedings with bad odor formation.
Cyst Formation
A cyst or fluid-filled sacs can form as a result of the inflammatory response of the body to any foreign, pathogenic substances. Negligence to basic hygiene practices, lack of consciousness can cause various infections in the pelvis.
Formation and rupture of such cyst, is an emergency situation that can manifest as bloody, smelly discharge from the vagina.
Mirena Falling Out
As you might have already guessed, due to the medical emergencies associated, Mirena is only preferred for women who can fulfill a few criteria mentioned above.
If Mirena is given haphazardly to women who don’t have adequate knowledge or capability, it may fall out or accidentally dislodge. Such situations are very serious and can very well manifest as irregular bleeding, smelly discharge as well as other signs.
Fishy Odor from Infections
A very common sign for infections from Mirena is a characteristic fishy odor.
So, from the causes mentioned above, it’s evident the cause of Mirena odor formation is more likely from provider and user ignorance rather than the device side-effects.
Other Side-Effects of Mirena
- Period Disappearance: While most women using Mirena experience lighter periods, it may disappear in the case of an estimated 20% of women.
- Nausea: Any form of gut upset, is a common side-effect for many contraceptives. Even though it causes nausea, Mirena is the preferred option for women with a weak stomach or any abnormalities in the stomach eg: tumor.
- Mood Changes: Hormonal IUDs cause an alteration in the hormonal level of your body. Such changes often stimulate mood disturbances and can manifest as anxiety, depression.
- Bloating: Though not an established effect, Mirena has been found to cause bloating in the lower belly.
- Cramps: In the initial days after inserting Mirena, you may experience some muscle cramps as a consequence of the body’s adaptation. It’s however self-limiting and is not a cause of concern.
Treatment and Remedy for Mirena Odor
The bad odor from Minera insertion is certainly treatable. Again, Some common hygiene practices, awareness, and self-discipline can go a long way in preventing any infectious conditions, anomalies following Mirena insertion.
So, take a look at its treatment and remedy:
Treatment
First off, don’t be scared. Among many women, the stigma surrounding vaginal odor is way too intense that it prevents them from even getting the required help. Seek out help from friends and family.
While a light odor from your vagina in the initial days after Mirena insertion might not be a cause of concern. It’s advisable to contact your doctor and start on anti-biotics or treatment on the basis of the cause of smell in case of a strong smell along with some associated symptoms as fever, pelvic pain, bloody discharge, etc.
Remedy
- Proper sterilization practice while inserting Mirena: It’s absolutely essential to maintain aseptic conditions of surroundings, hands of the person inserting, and the vaginal surface of the women while inserting Mirena.
Be extremely cautious of infections throughout the entire process. Any opening can lead to pathogen entrance and subsequently pathogenesis.
- Maintaining hygiene practices: Vagina! The portal to earth, but one of the most common sites for infections, pathogenic conditions. As a woman having hormonal implants as contraceptives, maintenance of hygiene practices is necessary to prevent any infections and odor formation.
- Checking up on the tail of the IUD: The tail of the Mirena sticks out and is an indicator of the proper placement of Mirena. After placing the Mirena, you must check on the tail on a regular basis.
If under any situation, you cant feel the tail, immediately contact your doctor. Such situations can lead to emergency conditions.
- A guide to cleaning vulva and vagina: Vagina is not the easiest part of a female body to keep clean. Given, the large number of chemical discharges, hormonal changes, and bacterial flora over there, it’s physiology in itself seems pathological.
A few tips to keeping your vagina and sorrounding skin clean is given below:
- It’s necessary to clean your vagina everyday. If you leave it even for a day, the sweat, blood, and other secretions will stay and act as a reservoir for infections.
- The vagina naturally has a very low, acidic pH of 4.5. So, what soap is the best option? as most soaps are basic and have a pH above 7. In such cases, try using a soap having pH as close to the neutral 7 as possible.
Also, you can check for a dermatologist or gynaecologically tested label to ensure the safe use
- Don’t rinse your vagina roughly. Remember, your vagina has both good and bad bacterias. If you rinse hard and remove the good ones, the pathogenic bacteria can take over and cause infections.
So, using soft hands and a mild soap clean your vagina and its surrounding skin eg: vulva. Also, avoid injury to the skin to keep any bleeding problems at a minimum.
FAQs
Can Mirena be causing my vagina to smell?
Answer: IUDs can sometimes lead to irregular heavy bleeding from the vagina with a fishy odor in a percentage of women. However, if you are experiencing any bad odor, it’s more likely from a lack of hygiene practices, consciousness on the part of the user.
What does a fishy smell from the vagina indicate?
Answer: A fishy smell from the vagina is an indication of any bacterial infection or cyst formation. Often times, cyst might rupture in the uterus or vagina which releases a pus having a fishy smell.
When should I visit a doctor for mirena odor?
Answer: During the initial days after insertion of mirena, you are likely to experience some degree of bleeding, odor formation or mood changes. It is normal and is likely to dissolve soon.
However, if the odor persists for a long time and you also find some associated symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Cramps
- Abnormal bleeding
- Painful urination
Why is my vagina always wet and smelly?
Answer: The condition is most likely caused by an infection in the vagina known as vaginismus. It manifests itself as a wet, smelly discharge from the vagina with a characteristic fishy odor.
Who are the ideal candidates for Mirena?
Answer: Criteria for Mirena candidate includes:
- Middle Aged Women, age 35 years and above
- Must have at least 2 living children
- Consent from both husband and wife
- Educated women are preferable
- Must be capable and conscious enough to check on the tail of the IUD regularly
- Must have access to health care facility nearby in case of any emergency
Final Words
Mirena odor and remedy! While Mirena itself is considered one of the safest and most widely used contraceptives, why have I started experiencing bad odor production in my vagina?
The answer is simply ignorance on the part of the provider and its user. Maintain hygiene practices in each and every step of insertion, everyday life. Don’t allow any pathogen to enter and cause infection or cyst formation. A bit of lifestyle changes can help prevent such hindrances in life.
