Having sex with multiple partners in itself does not necessarily cause a “fishy smell.” However, multiple sexual partners is indeed a risk for sexually transmitted diseases, especially if it is unprotected. In addition, multiple sexual partners is associated with an increased risk for bacterial vaginosis – a disease affecting about 25% of obstetric clinic patients.
A fishy vaginal discharge may be the first sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV) which is an imbalance of the normal vaginal bacteria. BV is characterized by increased vaginal discharge typically gray and thin, sometimes frothy, with a typically fishy odor. The typical causes of BV include regular douching, recent antibiotic use, high frequency of sexual partners, or recent antibiotic use. BV is not a sexually transmitted disease and the mainstay of treatment is antibiotics such as metronidazole.
If you have any vaginal discharge, itchiness, painful/burning urination, rash, vaginal discomfort, or painful intercourse, an evaluation by your gynecologist is warranted to screen for any sexual transmitted diseases.