Pharmacy shelves are lined with products encouraging us to keep our vaginas clean and pleasant-smelling. The truth is that most women’s natural scent is normal. Your vagina isn’t supposed to smell like the field of flowers pictured on the box of feminine deodorant spray.

Why does the vagina smell?

The vagina is a carefully balanced ecosystem of discharge and bacteria. The role of the bacteria is to keep the vaginal PH at a healthy 4.5. This combination of fluid and bacteria that make up the vaginal discharge can cause an odor. Most of these odors are natural and normal, but there are times when excess odor can signal a problem.

Some common causes of vaginal odor include:

• Your diet – The old adage “you are what eat” is true, all the way down to your vagina. Garlic, onion, asparagus and curry are few of the more odoriferous foods known to affect vaginal odor.
• Medications/ Supplements – Medications such as antibiotics can affect the bacterial balance of your vagina leading to changes in odor and discharge. Antihistamines can lead to vaginal dryness and decreased vaginal secretions, which can also have an effect. Additionally, herbal therapies and the newly popular essential oils can lead to changes in vaginal odor.
• Sweat – Much like your underarms, the skin around your genitals is prone to excessive sweating. Sweat when combined with discharge can increase odor. This is a natural odor, though sometimes slightly unpleasant. To minimize the smell, change clothes after exercising and wear breathable fabrics.
• Hormonal changes – The amount of discharge varies throughout menstrual cycles. Hormonal therapies, birth control pills and vaginal creams can have an effect the vaginal PH and odor as well. Menopause also leads to major changes and decreasing estrogen levels can lead to increased incidence of yeast infections and BV.
• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) – The vagina is normally colonized with healthy bacteria, but if something disturbs the ecosystem, unhealthy bacteria like BV can take over. BV is most commonly caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis. Symptoms include a thin grey, watery discharge and a strong fishy odor. The odor is more pungent when in contact with semen, so often women will first notice this as a strong odor after sex. BV is unpleasant and can increase your risk of other infections, but is easily treated with antibiotics.

Douching is never the answer! It washes away the good healthy bacteria along with the unhealthy bacteria and can worsen the infection. You do not need to insert anything inside your vagina to clean it: no douche, no essential oils, no soap. Simply think of the vagina as a “self-cleaning oven.”

If you’re concerned about your vaginal odor, but have no other symptoms, you can first try increasing your water intake and cutting out any odorous foods. You might also take a probiotic supplement to help restore normal bacterial balance. When washing, clean the external area of your vagina (vulva and labia) with a mild unscented soap. If odor persists despite these measures, then follow up with your healthcare provider.

– Nicole