You remembered toput deodorant onthis morning, but could it still be coming from you?
This is normal and natural, and theres no shame around that.
Here are other possible causes:
1.
Hygiene issues
The first possible reason for asmelly vaginaor groin area is your hygiene.
If this is when youre noticing the smell, it could be due to sweat, says Dr. Cabeca.
Once you hop in the shower and into a fresh change of clothes, the smell should clear up.
OB/GYN and author ofMenuPause
Its your clothing
Anything with non-breathable fabric, whether its underwear or leggings, can trap odors.
Yeast infections
If you smell yourself through your pants, your first thought mightve been yeast infection.
Bacterial vaginosis
If theres one gynecological problem associated with foul odor, its bacterial vaginosis, or BV.
You may also notice an increase in discharge or discharge that develops an off-color, like yellow or green.
Because of the uptick in discharge, you may also feel some irritation.
Sex is one culprit of BV if your vagina is coming into contact with semen.
STIs
One sexually transmitted infection your doctor may consider when you mention groin odor is trichomoniasis.
(Odor is not mentioned, but its still an STI to have on your radar.)
Hormonal changes
An odor could be the result of a hormonal fluctuation, says Dr. Cabeca.
OB/GYN and author ofMenuPause
If youre in perimenopause or menopause, these hormonal changes also increase the pH of your vagina.
What is The Missionary Sex Position?
Unusual bleeding is another possible sign of cervical cancer, perMoffitt Cancer Center.
Just remember: There aremuch morelikely causes of groin odor than cancer.
What causes groin odor in people with penises?
Groin odor doesnt just happen to people with vaginas.
And never douche, BTW.
Wear loose-fitting clothes or cotton underwear
Another greatvaginal health tip?
check that you have some air down there, says Dr. Cabeca.
Yoga pants or spandex-like fabrics tend to trap moisture, but cotton is much more breathable.
Long hair holds onto sweat and can increase odors, she says.
(If you tend to forget, there are tampon timer apps that will send out helpful reminders.)
Practice hygiene around sex
Sexual activity can lead to a bacterial imbalance that contributes to BV.
Practicing safe sex by wearing condoms can cut down this risk, per theCDC.
Bone also recommends peeing shortly after sex.
Doing so will help flush out bacteria that can throw your bacteria balance out of whack.
(Its normal for vaginas to have a certain natural smell!)
Never put anything scented inside the vagina, says Dr. Culwell.
The vaginal microbiome is a delicate thing.
It functions really well when you dont mess with it, she says.
take a stab at use unscented products when possible, Dr. Culwell advises.
If youre hesitant to bring this up, dont be embarrassedyour doctor is there to help, says Dr.
There is nothing shameful about having an STI or a vaginal infection.
They are incredibly common and [most] are harmless when caught and treated on time.
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