This month, my period came late—and it came in hot. Heavy flow, strange smell, and a whole lot of discomfort. Honestly, it reeked of rusting metal and something a little… fishy. I’d been sick, stressed, and totally off my game. But it made me wonder: can stress or external factors make your period smell different?

Let’s break it down.

What Does a Normal Period Smell Like?

Blood is rich in iron, so it’s normal for your period to have a slightly metallic scent. Most of the time, this smell is mild and not noticeable to anyone else. But when something smells off—like fishy, sour, or foul—it could be a sign of bacterial overgrowth

What Causes a Fishy Period Smell?

Let’s talk about the fishy smell, though.

Most months, I use our Rif Care hemp menstrual pads—they’re naturally antibacterial thanks to the hemp fiber. This month, I was testing out several kinds of period panties to see if I could get through my cycle without any disposables. For two days, I wore Thinx, which are mostly made of synthetic materials, and I left them on for 8+ hours each (rookie mistake).

That’s when the smell hit.

Synthetic fabrics can trap moisture and bacteria, which leads to that unpleasant odor. Our Rif Care period undies, on the other hand, are made with hemp fiber and over 90% plant-based materials. They’re breathable and designed to fight bacteria, so you can wear them without getting a bad smell—as long as you still change them regularly.

So what caused the odor? It wasn’t my blood—it was a combo of synthetic fabric and wearing the same pair for too long, leading to bacteria overgrowth.

Here’s the thing: Hemp period products like our pads and undies naturally help fight bacteria and reduce odor. But even with organic materials, it’s still important to change them regularly to avoid any unwanted smells.

Could It Be Bacterial Vaginosis?

If you consistently notice a strong fishy smell, it could be Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)—a common imbalance of vaginal bacteria. It’s not caused by your period, but menstruation can make the smell more noticeable.

If you suspect BV:

• Don’t douche. It’ll only make things worse.

• Try boric acid suppositories (we love PHD and Honey Pot).

• Visit your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment—BV doesn’t usually go away on its own.

After switching back to our organic hemp pads and using one boric acid suppository, I was back to normal within a few hours.

Don’t Forget the Tampon Rule

Let me be real—this isn’t the first time I’ve let a period product overstay its welcome. Just like I wore those synthetic period panties for way too long (hello, bacteria overload), I’ve definitely pushed it with tampons before too. You think, “I’ll change it in an hour,” and suddenly it’s been eight.

Here’s the thing: leaving a tampon in too long doesn’t just cause a funky smell—it can be dangerous. Besides the risk of bacterial vaginosis, there’s also a real risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), especially if you forget to remove it. Life gets busy. You're running errands, on Zoom calls, stuck in traffic—whatever it is, the hours fly by.

That’s why I now set a timer on heavy flow days and always keep an extra organic tampon or hemp pad in my bag. Prevention is way easier than dealing with the aftermath.

And if your period smells way off—fishy, sour, or just wrong—don’t spiral down the Google rabbit hole. Reach out to your gyno. It could be BV, or something else entirely, but either way, it’s worth getting checked out.

TL;DR:
Your period shouldn’t smell bad. Slightly metallic? Totally normal. Fishy, sour, or foul? Time to investigate. Whether it’s switching to organic period care, changing your products more often, or seeing your gyno, don’t ignore the signs.

Our hemp pads and period underwear are breathable, antibacterial, and 90% plant-based—so you can feel fresh and supported all cycle long.

🌿 Feel fresher, safer, and more supported—naturally.
Ready to ditch synthetic period products for good? Explore our collection of organic hemp pads, tampons, and period underwear—designed to be kind to your body and the planet.

👉 Shop RifCare’s chemical-free menstrual products now and experience the difference of plant-based period care.

**This blog is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for questions related to your health.