Vaginal Odor Causes, Prevention, And Remedies
Women usually have a moderate vaginal odor or no odor at all. But when a strong smell arises from “down there”, you need to take precautions.
According to ACOG, 90% of women will have an odd vaginal odor at least once in their lives.
Feminine odor fluctuates throughout your monthly menstrual cycle and is affected by external factors such as germs, foods you eat, and hormones.
Vaginal odor is an unpleasant condition that can have a significant impact on your self-esteem and the quality of your sex life.
Both partners in a relationship may struggle with vaginal odor. It may be demoralizing for a woman and unpleasant for a man.
Remember that almost every woman will experience vaginal odor at some point in her life. So this is perfectly natural to some extent!
Understanding the causes and symptoms of vaginal smells will help you decide if you need to visit a doctor immediately or if you should try natural remedies at home.
Symptoms And Causes
Symptoms of vaginal odor include a metallic or fish-like odor emanating from the vagina and a burning and itching sensation inside the vagina.
An infection in the vaginal area is most often linked to a bad odor. Vaginal odor can be caused by a variety of factors, but bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of a smelly vagina.
Other causes that lead to a bad odor from the vagina include:
- Unprotected intercourse;
- Inappropriate use of contraception;
- Pregnancy;
- Certain medications;
- Spicy foods;
- Smoking;
- The detergent used to wash the underwear;
- Even shaving the pubic hair in some cases.
Simple Ways To Prevent Vaginal Odor
Most health problems can be prevented. This might be the case with vaginal odor. Here’s how you can properly take care of your vaginal area to avoid bad smell:
1. Clean It Properly
Regularly cleaning your genital area with warm water and mild soap might help to alleviate the condition of bad vaginal odor.
Avoid using scented body washes and soaps since they contain too many chemicals and scents, which can cause your vaginal discharge to increase and emit a foul odor.
Also, it’s best to avoid douching the vaginal area because it might irritate it. Douching can disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your vaginal area, allowing other bacteria to thrive and produce a bad smell.
It should be obvious, but wash your vagina before and after each sex session to keep it clean and prevent infections.
2. Use Well-Ventilated Clothing
Undies made from nylons and any other synthetic material will obstruct airflow to your vagina. So use cotton panties to promote proper ventilation in your genital area.
Loose cotton clothes will also allow for increased airflow in the area, which will aid in the elimination of bad odor.
Also, make an effort to change your panties every day.
3. Perfumed Pantyliner
A thin, perfumed pantyliner can absorb vaginal secretions and perspiration, assisting in the removal of the bad smell.
4. Watch What You Eat
Try to eat fresh fruits and leafy greens on a regular basis. This might help you eliminate the vaginal odor issue in a few weeks.
Simultaneously, stay away from spicy and starchy meals, as well as alcohol and caffeine. They can increase the number of bacteria in your vagina and aggravate your problem.
5. Stay Hydrated
Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to keep your body hydrated and clear of harmful bacteria and toxins.
6. Keep Yourself Clean During Period
During menstruation, replace your period pad every 3-4 hours or whenever it becomes moist. Also, avoid tampons because they can spread bacteria or increase their growth in the vaginal area.
Natural Remedies To Reduce Vaginal Odor
With the aid of easily accessible products from your kitchen, you may address vaginal odor at home in a variety of ways:
1. Fenugreek
Fenugreek, when consumed regularly, helps to regulate body hormones, stimulates a normal menstrual flow, and maintains a healthy inner body.
All of these aspects contribute to the reduction of vaginal stench.
2. Yogurt
Lactobacillus, found in yogurt, aids in the restoration of a normal vaginal pH level. There shouldn’t be any issues with the vaginal smell when the pH level is normal.
So consume at least two cups of plain, unsweetened yogurt every day.
3. White Vinegar
White vinegar has the ability to neutralize strong scents, thus if you have a vaginal odor, you should consider a white vinegar bath.
Before soaking yourself in your bathtub, add a pinch of salt and half a cup of white vinegar. This will help reduce the odor of your vagina.
4. Garlic
Garlic, a natural antibacterial, can also aid in the reduction of vaginal odor.
For one or two weeks, simply eat garlic (raw or cooked) every morning, with one glass of warm water on an empty stomach.
5. ACV
Apple cider vinegar’s inherent antibacterial properties can also be utilized to alleviate the vaginal smell.
Add some warm water and apple cider vinegar to a bathtub and soak in it for a long time to treat the smelly problem.
The Takeaway
Some of the above-mentioned tips should be followed while dealing with vaginal odor.
Also, in order to see real results, try to be patient and follow the instructions consistently for a few weeks.
However, if you see a drastic change in your vaginal odor, along with pain and discomfort, you should seek medical help immediately.
