I don’t care how at ease you are with your own body, we all have those moments when we consider our own odor. Perhaps it’s at the doctor’s office prior to a pelvic examination, or perhaps it’s as your partner approaches your vagina for some up-close and personal fun. You’re curious, “Is my odor normal? And what, after all, is normal? How should a vagina smell? “
Healthy vaginal tissues frequently smell! Generally, these vaginal scents are not offensive—they simply smell like a vagina, similar to how you may occasionally smell sweaty or how your feet may stink in certain shoes. We all smell like humans, and the smell of our vaginal secretions is determined by a variety of factors. If you’ve just showered and washed your lady-bits, there’s probably no odor. However, if you’ve just finished a marathon sex session, your vagina will smell.
Each vagina has its own distinct scent, which is a result of the normal bacteria that live there, your diet, whether you wear natural or synthetic fabrics, your level of hygiene, your bathroom habits, and the secretions of your glands.
It’s critical not to overlook the fact that your vagina secretes pheromones that are intended to elicit sexual interest and excitement.
“I’m not sure how to describe the smell of a vagina, but I can tell you what it should not smell like,” says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale University School of Medicine. “The vaginal area should not smell of rotten fish or anything else that is rotting. [That odor] is caused by bacterial vaginosis, a condition caused by an imbalance of good and bad bacteria (the bad guys are anaerobic bacteria that are typically overgrown, and anaerobes typically produce a foul or rotting odor).”
The pH of the vagina is a critical indicator of what is occurring down there.
“Many women notice a distinct odor following their periods,” says Sara Gottfried, M.D., founder and medical director of The Gottfried Center for Integrative Medicine and author of The Hormone Cure. “Many women notice a change in their scent following sex. Semen is extremely basic—it has a pH of around eight—and thus when you have sex, the pH in the vagina changes to the basic side. “
The good news is that vaginal passages are self-cleaning and naturally produce some discharge that assists in ejecting germs and bacteria from your body, much like a bouncer at an exclusive Vagina Club. You have normal discharge, which is mostly white with a hint of yellow, but it is not desirable when it is grey, neon green, or yellow.
If your vagina is itchy or painful, this is a sign that something is wrong. You may have an infection or something more serious and should consult a physician immediately.
“Another factor that we see contributing to bad odors is a retained tampon,” Dr. Minkin explained. “If a foul odor is detected, check for a retained tampon (something folks forget to take out at the end of their period). If they discover one and are unable to remove it, they should contact a health care provider. That is one of the few instances when a douche would be beneficial, followed by some RepHresh, an over-the-counter solution that helps maintain healthy pH levels.”
Dr. Minkin states that when it comes to smell, “At times, I do see women complaining of an odor, and I do not detect anything unusual. One thing I strongly advise women against is using scented products in the vagina, as that tissue is the most delicate in the body and is particularly susceptible to irritation from an allergen.”
Generally, try to avoid interfering with your vagina. It is self-sufficient. If you notice or smell something that does not appear to be normal, consult a health care professional.