Edited by Jack Herrick, Carolyn Barratt, Oliver, SilverSparkz and 39 others
While many women do not like the smell of their own vagina, the fact of the matter is that a healthy vagina doesn't smell bad (many men will tell you that it smells great!). A vagina naturally contains a wealth of bacteria which keep it healthy and clean, much like your other internal organs. Truly bad vaginal odor is a result of infections or bacterial imbalances and you should see a doctor to solve this problem. Read below for information on keeping your vagina fresh and healthy, as well as a few easy ways to help ease the smell in a pinch.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR VAGINA CLEAN AND FRESH.
EditMethod 1of 3
Watch out for infections and diseases. These are the major causes of serious vaginal odor. Examples of such infections and diseases include yeast and bacterial infections (the most common causes), STIs, STDs, or viruses like herpes. Even much more serious problems like some kinds of cancer or internal ruptures can cause vaginal odor. You will need to monitor your body for other signs of illness and if you really feel that your vaginal odor is unnatural, see your doctor.[1
1 One thing to look out for are unusual discharges from your vagina. Brown, green, or chunky white discharges are signs of infection and you should go see your doctor as soon as possible. Just remember that some discharge is normal and healthy but it should not smell.
2 Be aware that certain sexual practices cause vaginal odor. Any introduction of foreign bacteria can upset the delicate balance in your vagina and so sexual practices can have an effect. Certain practices in particular can set off a reaction, namely anal sex before vaginal sex, oral sex, and the use of objects or food as penetrative methods.
If you wish to engage in these practices, use protection (like a condom) and change it in between activities.
3 Check for foreign objects. Foreign objects lodged in the vagina will cause your body's immune response to react and try to attack the object. This can cause bad odor as well. Tampons that have been forgotten or left in for too long, pieces of a broken condom, or objects used in sexual play are examples of such causes for odor.
4 Be careful to practice proper hygiene. Improper hygiene can lead to a buildup of bacteria around your vagina. This will cause odor, though it may not necessarily cause an infection. If you want to reduce odor, keep yourself and your clothing clean.
5 Avoid hot baths and hot tubs. Surrounding your vagina with overly hot water will kill much of your body’s natural bacteria which preserves the delicate balance of your vagina. Avoid sitting in very hot water too frequently or for too long.
EditMethod 2 of 3: Quick Solutions
1 Use perfume. Yes, using perfume close to your vagina is a bad idea. However, putting a dab of perfume on the inside of each of your thighs, roughly six inches from the vaginal area, is a time-honored way to smell amazing when anyone puts their head down there.
You partner will associate musky smells with sex (since this is the type of smell you have naturally) so try to get a perfume which is generally musky. Sandalwood and vanilla are common “sexy” smells.
2 Watch your diet. Your diet can greatly affect your taste and smell. Certain foods tend to affect your body in certain ways, by altering your body’s balance of sugar, bacteria, and chemical compounds. Much like how if you eat a lot of garlic, your skin excretes a garlic smell for several days, you can eat or not eat certain foods to produce a better smell and taste in your vagina.
You’ll want to start by eating less sugar. A spike in blood sugar can cause yeast infections and buildup, which will cause bad odor.
You may also want to try eating pineapple. Though there is no scientific evidence, many people swear by the idea that pineapple improves both taste and smell for both genders.
Yogurt is considered to be a great way to help women keep a healthy vagina, as it contains the bacteria which naturally occurs in our body to maintain a healthy vagina.
3 Try shaving or trimming. Having pubic hair does not necessarily cause odor in that area, but it can create an environment that harbors bacteria if not cleaned properly. If you want to reduce the likelihood of this being a problem, you can shave your pubic hair or keep it cut short. Keeping it cut short is probably better, however, as stubble can cause skin irritation and invite infections (plus it is itchy and uncomfortable). [2]
4 Try using wet wipes. Sometimes you can’t quite get yourself clean enough with dry wipes. Some small amount of residue, either from feces or the tissue itself, can remain and harbor bacteria. Occasionally use a wet wipe or baby wipe to clean only the outside of your vaginal area if you feel basic hygiene methods aren’t working well enough.
Use wet wipes which are fragrance free. Baby wipes tend to use less chemicals and often have fragrance free options.
Remember to only clean the outside of your vagina.
EditMethod 3 of 3: Practice Good Hygiene
1 Wash regularly. You will need to shower and wash yourself regularly. How often that needs to be will depend on your body because everyone is different. However, you will probably need to wash at least every two or three days. Washing yourself will help combat a buildup of bacteria on the skin, which causes odor just like it does anywhere else on the body.
2 Use the correct soaps. Your vagina is very sensitive. Using the wrong types of soap can cause irritation and bad odor. Avoid soaps which are heavily perfumed, contain too many unnatural ingredients, or have antibacterial properties. These upset the natural balance of your body. Instead, use natural soaps which are labeled as being fragrance-free.
3 Don’t douche. The only time you should douche (wash out the inside of your vagina) is if your doctor tells you to. Douching creates a terrible imbalance of your body’s natural bacteria and will almost guarantee that you end up with some kind of infection. The only cleaning that you will need to do will be with basic soap and water on the outside of your body. [3]
4 Wipe carefully. Incorrect wiping after using the toilet can lead to infections. Wipe in the correct direction (front to back) and be sure that you are thorough. It is easy to miss the vaginal area and this can leave residue which leads to infections or overgrowth of bacteria.[4]
5 Use products carefully. Be careful about the products that you use around your vagina. Using lubricants that are not water or silicone based can cause infections, and you should always clean lube off once you’re done using it. Anything with heavy fragrance can cause infections easily, so avoid feminine products which aim to make your vagina smell like flowers. This includes lotions.
6 Wear clean, fresh, correct underwear. This is a very important part of keeping your vagina clean and healthy. Wearing the same set of underwear for more than 24 hours will quickly create an imbalance of bacteria. You will also want to wear the right type of underwear. Your underwear needs to breath, since an overly moist environment will cause bacterial buildup. Cotton is best.
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