Explore common reasons why your vagina smells and discover tips for maintaining vaginal health and hygiene.
Many vagina smells are normal, and signify your body is working the way it should.
But still, nothing should make a vulva-owner feel ashamed of the way their vagina smells.
To think otherwise is a sad approach to the human body, she says.
So, what determines the way a vagina smells?
In one word: bacteria.
board-certified OB/GYN and founder of Walk In GYN Care
(ICYWW, that pH is somewhere between 3.8 and 4.1).
That can affect vaginal odor.
In fact, one1975 studyfound that more than 2,100 factors that can shift your scent.
To have a vagina that smells like vagina is to be someone who has a vagina.
To think otherwise is a sad approach to the human body.
A stronger odor is common during ovulation
The reason behind this is that youre most fertile when youre ovulating.
You may even getbrown dischargetoward the end of your period that smells this way.
So if ejaculate has come into contact with your vagina, you may notice a subtle shift in smell.
Dr. Streicher adds that the odor may actually smell a bit like fish.
board-certified OB/GYN and founder of Walk In GYN Care
If you think you might benefit from a pH-balancing product, seek advice from your healthcare provider.
Heres Exactly How It Can Affect Your Poop
Another possible culprit of the sweat-sesh scent?
Its said that you are what you eat, says sexologistJill McDevitt, Phd.
And its true that what you eat can and does impact how your vagina smells to a certain extent.
But that doesnt mean theres a Vagina Scent Diet.
(There are evenfoods that make pee smell.)
There is nothing magical about pineapple, Dr. Gersh says.
But eating more fruits and vegetables is never a bad thing.
But it will make some folks smell yeasty, like bread.
Maybe youve even thoughtI can smell myself through my pants.
A fishy and/or rotten-egg smell.
It almost smells like day-old fish, she says.
BV can also cause symptoms like thin, white or green discharge, itching, or a burning sensation.
The bottom linedoes bacterial vaginosis smell?
They normally do more harm than good, according to docs.
It smells like a zoo…its a really strong, and foul smell.
If you could pull the string or get it out with your fingers, go ahead and do so.
Theres one other possible culprit for this scent: trichomoniasis, acommon and curableSTI.
It could indicate an issue.
Most infections wont go away on their own, so theres no point in waiting to get treated.
Why do I have a strong odor down there?
As mentioned, there are many different reasons why you may feel your vagina smells.
We have a vagina, which is the internal canal leading up to the uterus.
This part is self-cleansing, and the discharge that every woman has is the house keeping function.
As the vagina is acidic, a healthy vagina/ discharge has a subtle sour smell.
So what you may think is a smelly discharge can actually just be your healthy vagina functioning properly.
This part is not self-cleansing, explains Dr. Ekman-Ordeberg.
Urine can get stuck in the area and bacterial build up happens during the day, which causes odor.
Also, where we have hair, we also have sweat glands.
How do I get rid of the odor down there?
This depends upon the cause, explains Stephanie Hack, MD, founder ofLady Parts Doctor.
If its your vaginas unique smell, there is nothing to get rid of.
Its just a matter of becoming comfortable with your personal smell.
This is similar for post-period and post-coital smells, adds Dr. Hack.
Finally, if it is an infection, treatment of the infection should improve your smell.
When to see a doctor
Every vagina has its own unique smell, reiterates Dr. Hack.
However, infections can and do change your vaginal smell.
If you think one might be the culprit, head to your doctor for confirmation.
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