Rotten Meat Smell with my Period

I could smell the smell of rotten meat but I'm 60 so well passed my period stage. After looking on the internet I was convinced that it was something serious. I have already had cancer in both my kidmeys. Then I came across an article about blocked sinuses can cause this smell. It dawned on me I had an infection in my route canal which I had known for 2 years after I thought the dentist had done it but apparently the tooth had 2 routes and only did one.. Once the tooth was removed the smell has gone.

Hello, first of all, you ladies are killing me with the humor some of you are bringing to the table! Thanks!
I am in So Cal, the Los Angeles area, am 54, will be 55 next month. I am perimenopausal, vegan, active-walking, biking, etc. (I exercise a reasonable amount---not a gym rat).

My periods stopped last July/August 2015.....ironically they stopped long enough, while we had our kitchen remodeled (maybe that was a good thing, having strange men in my house, not a comfy combo)....Anyway, all of a sudden about a month ago, I got a period ...after basically 6 months of no periods....(only intermittent pink tinges of blood on the undies every so often during those 6 months). That first period after 6 months dry, was about 4 weeks ago a "cruddy stringy brownish kind of period", "semi productive" as I like to call it --- did not give me that total release I used to get with my normal periods - that feeling of emptying out. Okay fine, but now I just got another 2 days ago, no long after that previous finished. HUH? This one is a humdinger....full blown period, just like the good ol' days. I should note that I have always had 28 day cycles and periods that lasted from 6-9 days most of my life.

I have no problems with the periods themselves, as I actually missed that release I was accustomed to for 4 decades. But what I have noticed in the past 1-2 years and especially right now, is that rotten meat smell. And God are we disgusting to discuss this (LOL)? No we are concerned and want to feel like we are not alone. Anyway, I began to research the issue of menstrual blood odor, especially as we enter our 50s, and I also looked into vegan women and the impact on the anatomy (vegan women consume no estrogen from chicken eggs or other animal products), and other potential causes of this change in menstrual odor. No period ever smells great, but there is definitely a difference as one approaches meno and premeno years, I think.

Like other ladies have said, there is usually (at least for me) no real obvious smell between periods, but for me, just before, during, and just after....(UGH, those days as that last trace of blood falls out....gets pretty bad).

So I considered the temporary absence of a period for 6 months, my age, my diet (and I should mention also I am very anemic), and I have also noticed a metallic smell to my periods or even blood from a cut or scab.

I just recently had my first mammogram in nearly a decade, I am fine, except some breast cysts, one rather large. I should also add that I am a coffee addict. Caffeine apparently contributes to breast cysts. I also live in a city outside of L.A. where our water is especially hard, so is my body filling with hard mineral deposits, hence that metal smell?

Do you ever wonder if all these things come into play about how our bodies smell?

So to the original poster of this thread, from 3 years ago, no you aren't alone. Thanks for reading.

Makes sense indeed.
I have experienced that using pharmaceuticals, fragrances and/or douching is certainly going to exacerbate the imbalance of PH levels consequently perpetuating the problem of vaginal odors. In the event of discharge there may be cause for concern and seeing your practioner albeit not always.
I understand hpwever it is quite "normal" to experience irregular menstrual cycles (with no discharge) yet foul odor ONLY DURING menstruation when hormones typically run a muck.

Well I finished my cycle (see my post) just less than a week ago, and no more odor. Most of us don't smell our own that up close and personal, but it's obvious when on the potty or dressing. So this proves to me, it's the blood not the sacred chamber!

Thank you so much for this. It really makes sense. I am currently going through this. I will be 43 this year.

... this does make sense but im 28 having the same exac problem

Its not always tampons. There are some women out there who dont usw tampons an has bad odors when haven periods. Seek medical advise instead of people who dont know squat. It could save your life.

Very true! Good advice

Peroxide is horrible for topical use let alone internal! I would recommend organic Apple cider vinegar in place of peroxide.


More studies are showing how bad peroxide is because it literally kills everything. Including the pigment of your skin. Not safe.

Wow I hope nobody took your advise. You shouldn't put baby powder or perfume anywhere near your vagina. Ick

Go to the gynecologist. Rotten smell could mean something really serious.

Hello, I have been there..For the acidic smell, First consider, are you taking too many vitamins? I decreased my vitamins to weekly, and am drinking more water, and eating more fruits and vegetables. Regarding the rotten smell, I've been there. Went to Dr. Found out I had cancer. I'll let you take it from there. I wish you well, and healing.

Oh dear God. I'm sorry. I posted I this thread too having experienced that smell but my last two cycles did not smell meaty. I'm 55 and hitting the funk cycle. I'm pulling for you through this, even though I do not know you. Please visit this forum from time to time

I have PCOS too and going for months without a period is totally normal with this condition.
I get the rotting flesh/meat smell if I haven't had a period for a length of time.
I spoke to my doctor about it and was told its due to the fact that jus because you don't have the shedding of the lining - the actual blood loss - doesn't mean it's not replenishing every month.
And when it does eventually release and give you a period, new blood will be mixed with the 'old' blood that didn't shed, giving you a rotten flesh smell - it's actually an old blood smell.
I hadn't seen a period since Xmas and then got one that lasted 4 weeks and towards the end I got the old blood/rotten mean smell.
It's apparently normal.
Another thing with PCOS don't worry about not getting a regular period, it causes irregular cycles.
Many sufferers get heavy prolonged periods, others get nothing.

This is the best response I have ever read.