Mar
Articles, Health & Mental Wellness
Something doesn’t smell right down there…
Jeepers being a women is tough, if it’s not us worrying about what we look like or our hair we have to be worried about if everything smells normal down there! Can’t seem to catch a break.
Chances are your vagina smells just fine, but if you notice anything unusual odor related we might have the answers for you. Firstly let’s get this out of the way some type of vaginal odor is normal. Despite what all the marketing and tabloids tell you there is nothing wrong with the way your vagina smells and its completely normal to have some sort of smell. Remember it’s not going to smell like wildflowers – it’s a vagina for heaven’s sake.
If you notice any changes in smell the first thing you should do is consult your doctor. But you might be surprised at a number of things that might cause your vagina’s natural scent to be a little off.
How and why does vaginal odor happen?
1. You have a bacterial infection
Bacterial vaginosis also known as B.V is the most common vaginal infection in people aged from 15 to 44. This is often caused by too much of certain bacteria in your vagina and this throws your pH levels out.
2. You ate something funky
We’ve all heard those rumours about if you eat a certain type of food your vagina will smell sweeter. Turns out there really isn’t much scientific backing for this statement but experts have heard in some cases of it happening.
If you are worried though and your normal scent has changed slightly, maybe back track and see if it’s not maybe food related. If not consult with your local GP.
3. Recently had sex without a condom
We all know things smell a little different down there after having sex. If you think about it you have just mixed your fluids with someone else’s along with sweat. Also semen has a higher pH level so that does cause odor to form. Don’t panic though – it’s nothing a good shower can’t fix.
4. You have your period
Your vagina definitely smells a lot more intense when you’re bleeding, go figure. Blood has an elevated pH and this can throw your vaginal flora off during your period. Take note this is not a huge change in scent and will go away once your period finishes.
5. Yeast issue
When we think yeast infection we think a certain discharge. You’ve got the right thinking but another important factor is the particular odor that might develop. Simply pop into your nearest pharmacy and get yeast infection medication, that should clear the infection up in no time.
6. You worked out recently
Breaking a sweat in the gym can cause an unpleasant vaginal odor due to sweat being trapped down there. We also tend to wear tight fitting gym clothes that also don’t really help the situation. This can be cured by just having a nice hot shower – using plain water or a mild soap.
7. Wearing the wrong underwear
The type of undies you wear matter, ALWAYS. Cotton is king in this case because other materials tend to trap moisture down there affecting the overall balance and bacteria.
Ladies, despite everything vaginal odor is normal. It can vary from mild to a slightly unpleasant smell. It’s like sweat everyone has their own scent. However, if it is quite strong smelling there’s an issue.
– Fishy scent
This is a sign of B.V. (bacterial vaginosis) as your pH level is completely out of whack which causes the bad, fishy odor. It’s super important to discuss this with your doctor so he/she can help figure out what’s going on.
– Smells like a zoo…
This could be caused by a forgotten tampon which causes your vagina to really really smell bad. The old blood causes the bad smell and it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria or infection. Luckily it can be solved easily with the help of your gynaecologist.
If you are dealing with a musky smell, it could be due to you hanging around in workout clothes too much.
– If it smells like bread..
Now one would typically think this is a good thing because who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked bread. But the chances are good that you have a yeast infection. Luckily you can get an over the counter cream to fix that issue right up.
How to prevent/get rid of vaginal odor?
It’s important to keep in mind that your vagina is not supposed to smell like a freshly cut bouquet of flowers. So steer clear from sprays, deodorants or douches that claim that once used your vagina will smell like cookies and cream. Things like that often just make everything worse.
Tips to prevent vaginal odor
- Stay on top of your tampon use, especially during the end of your period. Set a reminder on your phone if you have to, just so you don’t forget.
- Use a condom. Not using them will increase your risks of having several conditions that will lead to vaginal odors.
- Eat healthy. Yes, there’s no clear cut link between your diet and how your vag smalls but what you eat can be a factor in your vaginal odor.
- Get out of your sweaty gym clothes ASAP. There’s no need to sit around in them all day if you don’t need to. Your vagina will thank you later!
- Treat yourself to new undies, especially if you notice an unpleasant change in your vaginal odor. Remember cotton is KING!
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rubies, let us know in the comments scetion below if you found this article helpful and would like to read more articles like these.
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Image credit: https://letstalksex.net/free-erotic-photos/
Thank you for this article.
Candida (vaginal yeast infection) can also cause a bad odour. In this case, vaginal anti-fungal creams only work a little bit. What is needed is balancing the gut bacteria from the inside. This can be done with a 9-strain probiotic. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar also helps to destroy the bad bacteria. Always good, though, to check with your doctor first before adding any new medications.
What an informative and helpful article. Women’s health is very important. Women should avoid Vaginal odour by drinking water and avoid using soups when bathing the Vaginal parts.
Very insightful.. I hear u can also eat pineapple n plain yogurt
It’s great that we can speak so openly about such issues and be informed in a comfortable setting about that it could be.
Thank you so much #rybybox for this informative article.! Gread read indeed!
Thanks to this article im now empowered and knows the difference and what to do
I’m glad I came across this post. I’ve learnt a lot really. Wow thank you
Cotton,cooton,cotton is the answer yes.great article indeed.also dry your undies well where there is fresh air.
Thanx Rubybox, so many women encounter these kinds of problems and have no idea what to do. This is eye opening