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Original poster

To wonder why my period suddenly smells so bad?

114 replies

OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 17:55

Sorry, I know this is TMI, but hoping I can get some advice.

I wear tampons, but for security, wear period underwear to bed, as I often bleed too much for a tampon. Aware you’re probably not supposed to use tampons at night, but it’s always been fine for me.

Anyway, this morning I woke up, after having the heaviest day of my cycle, so I had definitely leaked a lot.

The really weird thing is, it smelled awful! This has never happened to me before and I’m late 30’s. I’d say it had a fishy odour. I’m so embarrassed writing this, but wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to why, or has experienced this before?

i washed as normal and have been worrying all day in case I smell, but if there is a smell now, it’s much less obvious than it was.

If anyone has experienced this, I would be so grateful to know what had caused it? Please help a very embarrassed mum.

OP posts:
Pllystyrene · 22/01/2026 19:04

I had this once, had a rather embarrassing smear while bleeding but the overall consensus was it was probably a burst fibroid x

CrazyCatMam · 22/01/2026 18:59

It's a build up of bacteria in your pants - even the tiniest amount of fluid activates the smell of the trapped bacteria. I had the same issue.

Every now and then you need to strip wash them. Can't remember what I did now - soaked them in vinegar maybe? Bicarb? I'm sure if you google 'strip wash period underwear' it you'll find a method.

CherryRipe1 · 22/01/2026 18:58

Probably BV. I tried that Balance Activ gel and it didn't work for me. Have just got some Metronidazole gel pessaries from the GP. You can also get home tests. I think trich can be whiffy as well.

Passitalong · 22/01/2026 18:54

This is really common for period pants when not brand new! Always soak in cold water before you wash them!

Kerrie1973 · 22/01/2026 18:51

OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 17:55

Sorry, I know this is TMI, but hoping I can get some advice.

I wear tampons, but for security, wear period underwear to bed, as I often bleed too much for a tampon. Aware you’re probably not supposed to use tampons at night, but it’s always been fine for me.

Anyway, this morning I woke up, after having the heaviest day of my cycle, so I had definitely leaked a lot.

The really weird thing is, it smelled awful! This has never happened to me before and I’m late 30’s. I’d say it had a fishy odour. I’m so embarrassed writing this, but wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to why, or has experienced this before?

i washed as normal and have been worrying all day in case I smell, but if there is a smell now, it’s much less obvious than it was.

If anyone has experienced this, I would be so grateful to know what had caused it? Please help a very embarrassed mum.

I follow Cheeky Pants on Tiktok and during their Tiktok lives they have mentioned it.

Timeforchai · 22/01/2026 18:51

OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 18:20

When I say the smelled bad, they really smelled horrific. I can’t understand how it could be that severe. My first thought was a missed tampon, but I’ve checked, and just had a double check, and I can’t feel a thing in there.

I had this once and I know it’s more TMI, but I couldn’t feel anything when I left one in years ago. I went to the sexual health clinic and they found it all compressed up near my cervix 🤮
Totally revolting, lingering smell and highly embarrassing !

Original poster
OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 18:50

Kerrie1973 · 22/01/2026 18:47

Sounds like your period pants need a strip wash, build up of bacteria / detergent / fabric softener.

To avois it happening again ALWAYS rinse after wearing in cold water until it runs clear.

To strip wash, do a long, detergent free wash at 40c. Then wash again.

Show quote history

Thank you. This is very helpful. I was away over the festive season last time I had my period, so machine washed them at a family members house. Maybe it’s caused by the different products?

OP posts:
ScarletWitchM · 22/01/2026 18:50

You’re not as close to your friends as I am then!!!
I had to check for my friend to see if she had a tampon stick inside once! - we are basically each other’s gynaecologist 😂😂

Original poster
OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 18:49

It really caught me off guard this morning, when I was bleary eyed at 5.30am. I bundled them down to the washing machine so quickly. It was the pants that smelled most. Although I didn’t investigate too much before my shower. I just wanted to get cleaned up at that point. Today, I feel like I’m hyper vigilant and am trying to see if the smell is still there. I’m not too sure, as I normally wouldn’t pay too much attention, so I’m struggling to tell if it’s still there in a more faint form.

OP posts:
Dawnb19 · 22/01/2026 18:48

It sounds like you could have BV. Bacterial vaginosis. Or could you have a forgotten tampon up there?

Kerrie1973 · 22/01/2026 18:47

OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 17:55

Sorry, I know this is TMI, but hoping I can get some advice.

I wear tampons, but for security, wear period underwear to bed, as I often bleed too much for a tampon. Aware you’re probably not supposed to use tampons at night, but it’s always been fine for me.

Anyway, this morning I woke up, after having the heaviest day of my cycle, so I had definitely leaked a lot.

The really weird thing is, it smelled awful! This has never happened to me before and I’m late 30’s. I’d say it had a fishy odour. I’m so embarrassed writing this, but wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to why, or has experienced this before?

i washed as normal and have been worrying all day in case I smell, but if there is a smell now, it’s much less obvious than it was.

If anyone has experienced this, I would be so grateful to know what had caused it? Please help a very embarrassed mum.

Sounds like your period pants need a strip wash, build up of bacteria / detergent / fabric softener.

To avois it happening again ALWAYS rinse after wearing in cold water until it runs clear.

To strip wash, do a long, detergent free wash at 40c. Then wash again.

Dollymylove · 22/01/2026 18:45

Balloonhearts · 22/01/2026 18:07

You haven't left a tampon up there, have you?

Yes definitely check. I did this once it must have been there for about a week😖
When I realised and pulled it out the smell was horrific 🤢

Beekman · 22/01/2026 18:44

OP, do you think it’s your knickers that were smelling bad or the actual period “matter” (can’t think of a better word)? I tried period pants but could not get them as clean as I would have liked, almost certainly me doing something wrong and not the pants, so I stopped using them and went back to pads (to back up my tampon). Try it with regular knickers and a pad and see if the smell is still as strong.

As for a forgotten tampon, (TMI) I once had one up there for ages. I even had sex with it in then one day, I just sort of “birthed” it. Never felt a thing when it was up there and nor did my partner.

Original poster
OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 18:43

I suppose it won’t do any harm.

OP posts:
Original poster
OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 18:42

I will buy some of the gel. Thank you.

OP posts:
ColinOfficeTrolley · 22/01/2026 18:36

This reply has been deleted

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CombatBarbie · 22/01/2026 18:34

Classic symptom of bacterial vaginosis. You can smell it but your underwear doesnt necessarily smell the same.

There's a PH imbalance, order some BV gel from amazon or get it from a pharmacy.

Original poster
OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 18:31

I know this sounds gross. But I was even wondering if somehow they had ended up back in my drawer dirty. I know there’s no way that could have happened though, so it’s all very strange!

OP posts:
Kingscallops · 22/01/2026 18:31

nomas · 22/01/2026 18:16

It’s totally normal OP, as we age our bodies and odour start to smell different.

Speak to your GP just in case but it’s normal.

I second this. A change in odour is worth getting checked out.

DaughterOfPearl · 22/01/2026 18:29

When I had BV the smell was there all of the time, absolutely no let up (it was a truly awful time). I wouldn't have thought it just magically appears for a period and then eases off, in fact periods made me smell less as I assume the flow cleared some of the bacteria.
I could be wrong but it sounds more likely to be an issue with the underwear.

Limth · 22/01/2026 18:23

I went through a period (no pun intended) when my periods smelled awful. Like rotten meat has been dipped in fish guts, vomited on, and left in the sun for a weekend.

I realised it was my period pants.

You need to wash them at a very high temperature, biological powder, vinegar, no fabric conditioner, a couple of drops of peppermint oil in the whole wash load, air dry until they're absolutely 100% dry.

Not saying its definitely that but it was for me.

Original poster
OneShyEagle · 22/01/2026 18:20

When I say the smelled bad, they really smelled horrific. I can’t understand how it could be that severe. My first thought was a missed tampon, but I’ve checked, and just had a double check, and I can’t feel a thing in there.

OP posts:
fableless · 22/01/2026 18:17

I gave up wearing period pants because they always smelt fishy to me. Even with “light use”.

nomas · 22/01/2026 18:16

It’s totally normal OP, as we age our bodies and odour start to smell different.

Speak to your GP just in case but it’s normal.

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