Vigina Smell

🛑 ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻

Vigina Smell

Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.






Health is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.



You can always count on Gwyneth Paltrow to introduce bizarre new products and treatments, like vampire repellent spray and vagina steaming. She’s continued the tradition in 2020 with a very unconventional way to add scent to your home: Goop’s “This Smells Like My Vagina” candle.


According to the listing, the cheekily named product, made by artisanal fragrance brand Heretic, “started as a joke” between Paltrow and perfumer Douglas Little. During a testing session, 47-year-old Paltrow reportedly said, “Uhhh.. this smells like a vagina.” From that, yet another unique Goop product was born.


Wondering what vaginas smell like in Paltrow’s world? They’re “funny, gorgeous, sexy, and beautifully unexpected.” Or to be more specific, a “blend of geranium, citrusy bergamot, and cedar absolutes juxtaposed with Damask rose and ambrette seed.”


If you’re panicking because your vagina doesn’t smell of flowers and fruity substances, stop it right now. “The vagina is not meant to smell like a rose garden,” Sherry Ross , MD, ob-gyn and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women's Intimate Health. Period , tells Health. “However, the vagina has a familiar scent, which many do enjoy. Depending on the time of the month, vaginal discharge can change in smell (as well as consistency).”


It’s hard to exactly pinpoint what a healthy vagina smells like, because every woman has a different scent, says Dr. Ross. But some women use words like earthy, ripe, or even pungent or slightly sour to describe their normal vaginal odor.


The key is to know what your ‘normal’ smell is,” she says. “All of us with a vagina usually know that awkward feeling if a new and strange smell comes our way. The vagina is especially sensitive to different changes in your daily environment, so anything that affects this delicate balance will affect the smell as well as the type of discharge and its consistency.”


Factors that affect the odor of the vagina include antibiotic use, douching, spermicide, new sexual partners, and frequency of sex, says Dr. Ross. Changes in hormone levels caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause can also alter your scent. Vaginal infections including yeast, bacteria, and sexually transmitted infections will change your smell down below, as will a forgotten tampon (due to the bacteria that set up shop there).


“These factors can not only cause a weird odor but can also create other uncomfortable symptoms,” says Dr. Ross. In fact, if something is up with your vagina, it’s likely that you’ll experience other symptoms beyond a change in odor.


A vaginal infection typically includes vulvar itching, burning, redness, and swelling as well as a change of odor—especially if it's a strong, fishy smell, which might signal bacterial vaginosis or the STI trichomoniasis. If you think you might have a vaginal infection, it’s important to see your doctor for tests and the right treatment.


Switching up your diet might also make your vagina smell different. Certain foods disrupt the vagina’s delicate pH balance, which could lead to an odor that might be off-putting. According to Dr. Ross, the worst offenders include garlic, onions, mint, turmeric, blue cheese, cabbage, cauliflower, asparagus, red meat, and vinegar. Smoking, alcohol, and not drinking enough water can also change things up down below, she says.


Hygiene habits also affect vaginal scent. Remember, your vagina is like any other part of your body—it needs to be kept clean. “The vagina has sweat glands and hair follicles, which can attract bacteria and contribute to strong odor,"says Dr. Ross. Also, the vagina's location near the anus makes is crucial that you keep the area clean, to avoid bacteria buildup that can lead to foul odors, she adds.


No matter how clean and healthy your vagina is, it will probably never naturally smell like “citrusy bergamot and cedar absolutes.” But that doesn’t mean it can’t smell just as good, in its own unique way.


To get our top sexual health stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Health Hookup newsletter


11 Reasons Your Vagina Smells a Little…Off
Chances are your vagina smells just fine, but if you notice an unusual vaginal odor, it might be related to these causes.
1. You accidentally left a tampon in there.
4. You recently had sex without a condom.
9 Reasons Your Poop Smells Next-Level Bad
BA.5 Means Now Is Not the Time to Relax About COVID 
Should We All Be Stockpiling Plan B Right Now?
9. You have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
11. You’re wearing the wrong underwear.
9 Reasons Your Poop Smells Next-Level Bad
BA.5 Means Now Is Not the Time to Relax About COVID 
Should We All Be Stockpiling Plan B Right Now?
Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. She received a double B.A. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary (which she doesn't use at all now) and an M.A. in Interactive Journalism from American University. Korin has been published in... Read more
9 Reasons Your Poop Smells Next-Level Bad
Everyone Should Know How to Spot the Stages of Anaphylaxis
How to Tell When Your Sweaty Hands and Feet Are Actually a Problem
The Bee Sting Advice You Need to Know Now
What to Do If You Run Out of Tampons During the National Shortage
How to Safely Wax at Home, According to Experts
Please, I’m Begging You: Stop Using Q-Tips to Clean Your Ears
10 Things That May Happen to Your Body When You Stop Birth Control
Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF.
Medically reviewed by Mary Jane Minkin, MD
Fact: Having some type of vaginal odor is normal. Despite all of the marketing that tells you otherwise, there is likely nothing wrong with the way your vagina smells. It’s completely natural and normal for you to have some kind of vaginal odor. And no, that scent probably won’t be a field of wildflowers. It’s a vagina, not a perfume counter.
Chances are, you smell just fine. But if you’ve noticed a change in your vaginal odor that doesn’t go away, it’s worth bringing up with your doctor. Here are a few things that might cause your vagina’s natural scent to go awry.
Vaginal odor is the smell that your vagina—and usually your discharge—gives off. A certain amount of vaginal odor is normal, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). But if the odor is strong and noticeable, it’s possible that you have an infection or other problem, ACOG says.
There are a few things that might cause your vaginal odor to go awry:
It happens—and probably more often than you’d think, Lauren Streicher , M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. Some people may put in a just-in-case tampon toward the end of their period and forget about it, don’t remember that they already have one in before putting in a new one, or forget and have sex with one in and it gets pushed sideways into the back of cervix, she says. “Every gynecologist has had the experience of a woman coming in with an odor, discovering it was a forgotten tampon, and feeling mortified,” she says.
Bacterial vaginosis (usually just known as B.V.) is the most common vaginal infection in people ages 15 to 44, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in your vagina. This throws off the pH of your vagina.
Experts aren’t sure what causes B.V. or how some people get it, but they do know that it usually occurs in people with vaginas who are sexually active. People who douche are also at an increased risk of developing B.V. The odor actually happens due to the change in your vaginal pH when the balance of good and bad bacteria down there is thrown out of whack, Jessica Shepherd , M.D., an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and director of Minimally Invasive Gynecology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, tells SELF. Luckily, it’ll go away once B.V. is treated with antibiotics, Dr. Streicher says.
You’ve probably heard that eating pineapple or citrus fruits can make you smell sweeter down there, and that fried foods can make your vagina smell more strongly. “I hear this all the time, but it’s all anecdotal,” Dr. Streicher says. So there’s no scientific evidence behind this, but experts have certainly heard of it happening before.
If you find that your usual scent is off and you know you recently ate a bunch of very fragrant foods (like garlic) or anything that’s not normally in your diet—and the change bothers you—you can consider whether what you eat may be contributing. If you’re not sure whether the change in smell is due to food or something else, call your doctor to get checked out.
You might notice things smell a little different down there after sex, which makes sense. You’ve got your fluids mixing with another person’s fluids, and maybe some sweat too. Plus, semen has an elevated pH, Dr. Streicher says, and that can cause an odor to form. Typically, the smell will clear up on its own within a day or so—or after you shower—but if it persists, call your doctor.
You’ve probably found that your vaginal odor smells a little more intense when you’re bleeding , and that’s normal, Dr. Shepherd says. Blood has an elevated pH, and that can throw your vaginal flora off a little during your period . Usually it’s not a huge change in scent, and it goes away once your period wraps up, she says.
You probably associate yeast infections with a certain discharge, but they can also cause a particular odor to develop. OTC yeast infection medications should help clear up the infection—and smell, Dr. Streicher says—but if you’ve tried that once and it didn’t work, check in with your doctor.
A stinky smell down there could signal an STI called trichomoniasis, Alyssa Dweck , M.D., a gynecologist in Westchester, New York, and assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, tells SELF.
Trichomoniasis is caused by a tiny parasite that moves between people during sex, and it’s actually pretty common, according to the Mayo Clinic . In addition to a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, it can make your genitals itch and cause painful peeing, though many people experience no symptoms.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia can also cause foul-smelling discharge, says Dr. Dweck. And just like with trichomoniasis, you may not experience symptoms. If you notice any unusual discharge or have pain during sex or urination , see your doctor to rule out an STI.
PID happens when sexually transmitted bacteria—possibly from an untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea infection—travel from your vagina to your uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, according to the Mayo Clinic .
In addition to having heavy discharge that’s smelly, you might experience pain in your lower stomach and pelvic region, bleeding during or after sex, fever , chills, and painful peeing, per the Mayo Clinic. Smelly discharge and painful peeing or bleeding between periods can signal an STI, and prompt treatment of an STI can help prevent PID, so see your doctor right away if you’re dealing with any of these symptoms.
If you hit the gym and notice an unpleasant vaginal odor afterward, it’s probably due to trapped sweat down there, says Dr. Dweck. Tightly-knit fabrics that are meant to trap and wick away sweat can sometimes cause a musky smell. And remember: You don’t need anything crazy to clean your vagina —plain water or mild soap are truly all you need.
The type of undies you choose matters. Certain materials trap in heat and moisture, affecting the overall balance of good and bacteria—and yes, your vaginal odor. The classic advice when shopping for underwear is to go for cotton, but there’s no scientific evidence that shows that synthetic materials (like polyester or silk) are bad for you.
Yup! “When you look at what’s normal, it can have a mild or slight odor that’s not unpleasant,” Dr. Streicher says. “There shouldn’t be a strong odor, and it shouldn’t smell like the zoo or fish.” So if you feel like your discharge smells bad but not fishy or like a musky animal, you’re probably okay.
Vaginal odor is like sweat—everyone has their own scent, Dr. Shepherd says.
While there is some variation with normal vaginal odor, smells that are a tip-off that something is wrong can generally be divided into three camps: fishy odors, zoo-like smells, and yeasty scents.
If you’re dealing with a fishy scent…
It could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. B.V. messes with the pH of your vagina and can create a bad, fishy odor in the process. But a fishy smell can also be a sign of trichomoniasis, the CDC says. That’s why it’s important to rope in your doctor for help figuring out what’s going on.
It could be due to a forgotten tampon, and unfortunately, it really, really stinks. “A forgotten tampon causes the absolute worst vaginal odor,” Dr. Streicher says. The smell is usually caused by old blood, which has a bad, zoo-like scent when it oxidizes, Dr. Shepherd says. It can also change the pH of your vagina (which should be between 3.5 to 4.5), allowing it to become a breeding ground for different bacteria or an infection. While having a tampon lodged in your vagina stinks (literally), it’s luckily easy to remove during a visit to your gynecologist.
BTW: If the smell is musky but not overpowering, it could simply be due to hanging out in sweaty workout clothes too much, Dr. Dweck says.
No shocker here: It’s likely due to a yeast issue. “It’s a yeasty smell,” says Dr. Streicher. “It’s not leave-the-room bad, but it has a characteristic scent.” The pH of your vagina doesn’t actually change when you have a yeast issue—it’s just that yeast has an odor. So if your discharge smells bad but not fishy, it could be a yeast infection.
Keep in mind that ACOG specifically says that sprays, deodorants, and douches are “not recommended” and may even make things worse, so steer clear of those. Some other things you can do to prevent vaginal odor:
Try to stay on top of your tampon use, especially during the end of your period. You can even set a reminder in your phone to take out that final tampon, if you tend to forget.
Use condoms . Unprotected sex increases your risk of several conditions that can lead to vaginal odors.
Aim to eat healthy. There’s not a clear-cut, absolute link between your diet and how your vagina smells, but Dr. Streicher says what you eat can be a factor in your vaginal odor. Plus, eating well is good for the rest of your body too.
Change out of sweaty workout clothes ASAP. There’s no need to get rid of your favorite workout leggings , but be sure to shower right after exercising (a.k.a., don’t sit around in sweaty clothes).
Invest in new underwear. If you notice an unpleasant change to your vaginal odor, try switching the material of the underwear you buy (i.e., if you normally wear silk, try cotton or polyester). Changing it up might just do the trick.
If you’re worried about a weird or persistent vaginal odor, or even if you’ve noticed it and it’s not sitting right with you, it’s important to call your doctor. That’s especially true if you’re also dealing with things like itching, burning, irritation, or increased discharge on top of it, the Mayo Clinic says.
Again, having some kind of vaginal odor is normal. But when it’s intense and different from your usual, it’s time to rope in the professionals for help.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
© 2022 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices


Why Marvel's Karen Gillan Embraces Her Anxiety
Your New Must-Try: Sautéed Dandelion Toast
The Only Marathon Training Plan You'll Ever Need
Your June Horoscope: Communication Clarity

By
Tracy Middleton and Sarah Bradley


This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Is Your 'Yeast Infection' Something Else?
13 Reasons Why Your Pee Smells Weird
Tracy Middleton
Tracy Middleton, the Health Director of Women's Health, has more than 20 years' experience covering health and wellness.

Sarah Bradley
Sarah Bradley is a freelancer writer from Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and three sons.


This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
A Complete Guide To Vaginal Discharge Colors
12 Reasons Your Vagina Hurts So Damn Much
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
6 Best Period Subscription Boxes For Every Need
Why Do I Have Cramps But No Period?
14 Reasons Your Vagina Is So Damn Itchy
18 Reasons You’ve Got Bumps On Your Vagina
The Ultimate Guide To Cleaning Your Vagina
5 Reasons You Gain Weight During Your Period

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in.

Why trust us?


Anyone with a vagina has probably wondered at least once if their life, Why does my vagina smell? But let’s get one thing out of the way right now: Despite what your awful ex or the latest douching ads say, your vagina is supposed to have a bit of an odor.
"Just like with the gut, the vagina has its own microbiome filled with different bacteria and yeast, many of which are incredibly helpful," says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. And, yep, those bacteria give your vag its signature scent.
But what does that typically smell like? "The acidic pH naturally found in the vagina might make it a little sour smelling, sometimes a little musty," says Christine Masterson, MD, ob-gyn and chief of the women and children’s service line at Summit Medical Group. "But it shouldn't be an overwhelming odor."
Still, there are times when you catch a waft that smells a bit off from your normal. The cause can be as innocuous as sweat or more serious, like an infection, says Dr. Minkin, so it’s worth taking a deeper whiff (yes, really), especially if the unusual aroma is accompanied by symptoms like itching or discharge.
Curious about an abnormal scent down there? Scan through to see if your detected smell is on our list and the possible cause(s), and don’t hesitate to get yourself checked out by a professional either way.
The most likely culprit behind this scent is bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The infection can
Her First Black Cock Story
Trantric
Don't Cum Yet