Vaginal Odor: 6 Reasons Behind It and How to Fix It

Plenty of women feel self-conscious about how they smell "down there," and we want to clear up the confusion. Every woman carries her own natural scent, just as every vulva and vagina looks different, which we'll get into below. That said, an unpleasant vaginal smell is often one of the clearest signals that something's off.

So it's worth paying attention to your natural scent — not just because of getting your partner to go down on you. A pungent, fishy smell in particular means a call to your doctor shouldn't wait.

Your Own Natural Scent Is Normal

Every body carries a distinct scent. Clean, it typically reads as neutral, or you might even find it pleasant. Some men are genuinely drawn to it, the same way certain women enjoy a partner's musky smell after a workout or a day in the sun. This scent naturally varies in intensity from woman to woman — there's no single universal version.

Read: 10 Causes and 7 Solutions to Vaginal Odor.

Diet, exercise, and the products you use for personal care all shape how you smell. Eating plenty of citrus, for instance, tends to sweeten your scent — part of why pineapple is often suggested for men wanting to improve semen taste. On the flip side, garlic, broccoli, or asparagus in your diet might produce a scent you or your partner enjoy less.

Related: Pineapple does help women make their vagina smell and taste better.

Keep in mind that some degree of vaginal scent is completely normal, and there's no need for self-consciousness as long as it falls within the usual range. If you've never really gotten familiar with how you look or smell, a small hand mirror can help build that comfort — just make sure you're relaxed and won't be interrupted. Smelling or tasting yourself on your fingers is totally optional if it helps you feel more at ease.

Check out this post about sexual anxiety for more on feeling confident in how your body looks, feels, and smells during intimacy.

Most men genuinely enjoy your natural smell and taste, and you shouldn't stick around anyone who shames you for it as long as you're keeping up with basic hygiene. Odds are you're far more critical of your own scent than he is — that's true across the board. We're all a bit self-conscious sometimes.

If the real issue is emotional mistreatment, "why does my vagina smell?" probably isn't the question that matters — working on the relationship itself, or deciding whether to leave it, likely is.

What's Behind Vaginal Odor?

A faint scent is entirely typical, but per the Mayo Clinic, a strong one can signal an underlying issue — particularly the classic "fishy" smell paired with itching, rash, or other irritation. Any noticeable shift in your natural scent is worth a doctor's visit, since it could point to an infection called bacterial vaginosis. Learn more about BV in this article.

Cottage-cheese-like discharge alongside a foul odor often points instead to a yeast infection, which is quite common. Odor can also, in certain cases, signal an STI — so if infection from a partner seems possible, see your doctor for any STI symptoms. Trichomoniasis in particular is notorious for that fishy smell.

Doctors typically treat BV and STIs like trich with antibiotics, and yeast infections with antifungal medication. A common home remedy involves yogurt — eating it plain daily, or in some cases soaking a tampon in it to use like a suppository against yeast and odor.

Some also claim boric acid can make your vagina smell better.

Mayo Clinic also names three rarer causes of unpleasant odor: rectovaginal fistula, cervical cancer, and vaginal cancer. These are unlikely, but getting checked rules them out — and they carry consequences far more serious than an odor issue.

How Hygiene Habits Affect Vaginal Scent

That said, a stronger-than-usual smell doesn't always mean something's wrong. Heat and heavy sweating from exercise, for example, naturally intensify your scent. Synthetic fabrics in underwear, tights, or pants can also worsen odor since they trap heat and block airflow to the vulva.

Look for underwear with at least a cotton liner to wick moisture and improve airflow — pure cotton is even better for ventilation and odor control. Keep layers minimal on hot days, and change clothes and shower promptly after sweating.

The products in your hygiene routine can help or hurt, too. Clean your vulva — including the labia and vaginal opening, part of the broader female anatomy — with a mild, unscented soap. Rinse thoroughly, using your hand to reach into the folds, and dry completely before dressing.

Brands like System Jo sell products designed to keep you dry throughout the day and reduce odor. Sprays and wipes made for pre-oral-sex use can also help if you're worried your scent might discourage your partner — just stick to using these around the vulva, never inside the vagina itself.

For everyday cleaning, plain water is really all you need. Scented or chemically-loaded cleansers can throw off your vagina's natural pH, which ironically can trigger the very odors or infections you're trying to avoid. Despite marketing aimed at women, douching is broadly unhealthy for your body. Source.

Don't fall for the sales pitch. Douching raises the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, pregnancy complications, and even cervical cancer, per the Mayo Clinic.

Note that condoms and lube (which you should be using regularly) can shift your natural scent temporarily — some women describe it as resembling chlorine or bleach. Condoms are still worth using, since they lower the odds of bacterial infection, yeast transmission, or pH disruption — all of which can cause odor themselves.

Staying tuned in to your body's signals, including changes in scent, is always smart. And addressing whatever's driving vaginal odor can leave you feeling more confident both in and out of the bedroom — and more comfortable inviting your partner in for oral sex.

October 31, 2020