To wonder why my period suddenly smells so bad?

[OneShyEagle]

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.

If you feel at all unwell or start to run a temperature get yourself seen as soon as possible. I don’t want to alarm you but leaving in tampons overnight can cause an infection and can be dangerous if left.

Mine has started to stink, just as you describe, the second I started using period knickers.
I think there's bacteria in the pants, which has now transferred to my vagina and causes the stink.

Please be careful in future OP, toxic shock syndrome is dangerous and why we are not supposed to use tampons too long and at night.
The fishy smell does sound like an infection, so keep an eye on any other symptoms. Be well!

Have you changed contraception?

I REEKED when I had a copper coil. Embarassing didnt cover it. Got the bastard thing out as quick as I could.

This, they pong something rotten!
I just change them more often, but overnight is normally pretty stinky

Period pants can definitely pick up odour and need a “reset” wash now and again. As a general rule after use make sure you rinse in cold water before washing normally but no conditioner. Cold is important for blood, hot “sets” it. To reset, put all your pants in a cold wash in machine with white vinegar in the drum. Then wash normally and air dry. Outside is best. Sometimes they just need throwing away but a reset wash with white vinegar normally works. The ModiBodi website has good advice on washing them too.

Since when has that been official advice for night time?

Women are now expected to what - set an alarm for 3am?

Could it be smelling because of having a tampon in overnight?? I always used sanitary towels for night. If you are worried I would contact your GP x

Use night pads instead, two if you need to. The pants are overrated imho. Plus as I’m sure you are wash morning and night.

This happened to me, I was baffled. Eventually, whilst in the shower, I put my fingers as deep as I could possibly go, even when I thought I must be insane, and I found a tampon that was blackened and rotting. What you don’t realise is that if you forget a tampon, you’ll shove another in on top of it and push it back further than even you would realise.

I don’t know what a “strip wash” is but 40 degrees is only just above body temperature - that’s not going to kill bacteria. Use cotton underwear and wash at 60. No need for anything else beyond biological washing detergent. And definitely no vile fabric conditioner.

OP please make an urgent appointment at a sexual health clinic or with a nurse at your GP surgery to check for a lost tampon before the weekend. If there is one, it’s very likely you will not be able to find it, & leaving one lost is so so dangerous. Please go! They will have seen it before - no need to be embarrassed.

It has happened to me twice - and the angle of my cervix meant I had no hope of finding it myself either time.

Use pads at night instead of tampons. It doesn't sit there too long and less likely to be forgotten

I had this with period pants. I’ve given up on them. Even washing them as directed and using Napisan, etc, I found that they always honked.

I inserted a tampon without removing the previous one (on holiday, rushing to check out) it was there a week! And the smell was revolting. I don’t know how I didn’t get sick, I wasn’t in the slightest bit unwell.
I only recently started wearing period pants and like you wear a tampon as well at night (very heavy flow) and one day I must say I did smell a bit fishy but assumed it was the pants. I never noticed it again and it was a couple of months ago. Check for a tampon, not that difficult and you’ll find instructions online. If not, give it a few days before panicking I think.

I can’t answer for anyone else but for 2-3 nights of my period I have to wear a super plus tampon and a pad and I would still need to put a towel down for leaks.

My M&S bought period pants really smell. Other brands not so much. Very odd and rank.

I’d do this .
I also think it could be BV and I’d get swabbed for it

Is the smell there when you’re not wearing the period pants?

Really?
Nobody else has suggested this.

You should go to the doctor to check you have no infection; or a piece of rotting tampon inside.

I dont think its normal for a period to smell bad. Probably best to get it checked for an infection.

Goodness, nobody else has suggested this.

In my mid thirties I developed an unfortunate fish whiff...never had it before but eating any kind of fish (worse with white fish....who knows why!) i get very whiffy....I have to put a diary reminder in a few days before I am due a wax. I do also use period pants (for bladder leaks) but they get a 30 min cool wash on their own and then go in with the rest of my clothes, they def need a different wash cycle to anything else.

ps there are no real issues to using tampons at night, it's more to do with frequency of changing them.

If the smell has gone it is likelier some sort of issue with the period pants and/or length of time the tampon was in rather than a tampon left inside as surely the smell would be getting worse if that were the case?

I do a double wash with mine - a cold rinse wash with no detergent followed by a 60 degree wash with unscented detergent.