Fishy odor

By George N. True II

My two-year-old son was X-rayed last month. The pediatrician said the X-ray has to be repeated this month to know whether his condition has improved. Won’t this harm him? I’m afraid because my son is too young. – Kem Baisac.

As I mentioned in my previous column, X-rays are an important medical imaging tool that help doctors make the right diagnoses. They allow physicians to see what’s inside the body without the use of surgery or other invasive methods.  This makes it easier for them to provide the right treatment.

If your son’s pediatrician said another X-ray is needed, that means it is necessary to establish what’s wrong and see if his condition has improved. Although children are more sensitive to radiation that comes from X-rays, they are safe at the hands of a competent doctor.

My vaginal discharge smells like fish. I have no partner and haven’t had sex in 7 years. What’s causing this? I have no other symptoms. My vagina isn’t itchy or painful, but I always stay up late at night to work. – Sherry Andrales

Vaginal odor may vary throughout your menstrual cycle, and you may notice it after having sex. This also happens when you’re sweating. But since you haven’t had sex in a long time and have no other symptoms, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you.

Most likely, your problem is due to poor hygiene or bacterial vaginosis. The latter is caused by the overgrowth of “bad” vaginal bacteria and can affect women of any age.

The Mayo Clinic said symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include a thin, gray, white, or green vaginal discharge that has a fishy odor.  This is common in women who lack the “good” lactobacilli bacteria in the vagina, and in those who douche or use a vaginal deodorant.

Some women douche to feel fresh, get rid of vaginal odor, clean the vagina after menstruation, and prevent pregnancy after intercourse, but WebMD said this practice actually does more harm than good.

Douching can upset the natural balance of vaginal bacteria or vaginal flora, increase the risk of infections, and lead to other problems. Some conditions that have been linked to regular douching include pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries) and cervical cancer.

If you want to stay fresh and reduce vaginal odor, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends washing the vagina with a small amount of mild, unscented soap and water. ACOG added that vaginal odor is normal, but if it is very strong and is accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

I’m 29 and have type 2 diabetes. Will this cause irregular menstruation? I’m scared because of this. – Jhina Minoza.

In most women, the monthly period occurs every 21 to 35 days, and lasts from 2 to 7 days, but each woman is different and so are menstrual cycles at times. The menstrual cycle can also be affected by diabetes and may become irregular or unpredictable, according to Dr. Emily Jungheim, a board member of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

This occurs with anovulation or in the absence of ovulation (where the ovary releases an egg into the Fallopian tube), making it hard for women to get pregnant. On the other hand, Jungheim said that if you don’t have a period, then you won’t know when you are more fertile, or more likely to get pregnant. Consult a doctor for help.

For questions, email georgenavatrue@yahoo.com