What Does A Foul Odor After Cyst Removal Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 24 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 24 Dec 2016 Answered on

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, a few days after my period ends when I sit on the toilet to urinate I get a stench of rotting meat. It lasts for two weeks but when I'm having my period it goes away. I have two ovarian cysts on my left ovary and endometriosis tissue in my uterus. I had a dermoid cyst removed off my right ovary in XXXXXXX and polyps removed and a d&c. My period clots have become enormous I've never seen clots so big. My periods are extremely painful. The operation I had in XXXXXXX was supposed to fix my periods and for two months they were great now I'm back to agonising periods again with huge clots. Is the rotting meat smell between periods a result of my cysts on left ovary or endometriosis tissue in uterus?

Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The odor is not related to your other gynecologic issues

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.

Thank you for supplying your medical history thoroughly. You have two separate problems going on so I want to discuss both.

First of all, I want to assure you that your heavy and painful periods have nothing to do with the odor in your vagina. You may very well have a condition called adenomyosis (which is endometriosis of the uterus) that will need to be evaluated separately. Ovarian cysts also do not cause symptoms related to your vagina or the amount you bleed with you period.

The odor you notice is likely due to a common vagina infection called bacterial vaginosis. It typically causes foul smelling vaginal discharge, and the reason that the odor disappears when you menstruate because the blood helps wash out the discharge.

There are a few other causes of a vaginal odors. Trichomonas is another type of vaginal infection that can cause foul smelling urine as well as discharge. A retained tampon or other foreign body on the vagina can also be a cause of infection.

So in summary, the odor you notice is not related to your other gynecologic history or problems with your period. You should see a gynecologist to evaluate you when you are not menstruating, as then microscopic analysis of your discharge can be used to make a diagnosis.

I hope I was able to adequately your question today and that this information was helpful. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T