Lifestyle: Seven tips to get rid of vaginal odour

Many women are self-conscious about the scent of their vaginas. The vagina, just like the mouth, the skin, and other areas of the body, has a unique fragrance.

Diet, health, and other factors can affect the natural fragrance, which should still not smell foul. It’s neither safe nor healthy to attempt to eliminate the vagina’s scent. In fact, doing so can lead to infections that cause an unpleasant odour.

In this article, we explore some strategies that can reduce vaginal odour safely and address underlying medical causes.

1. Understand the different types of vaginal odour

It is common for women to be self-conscious about their vaginal odour. These negative feelings can affect self-esteem and body image.

However, it is also normal for the vagina to have a mild, musky smell. Indeed, research suggests that this odour is partially due to pheromones that can increase sexual attractiveness and subtly communicate information about fertility.

This odour changes with hormonal shifts during pregnancy, menopause, and the menstrual cycle. So a subtle smell is not a cause for concern. Some other odours, however, warrant a call to a doctor.

Fishy vaginal odour

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection among women of childbearing age. When something upsets the vagina’s complex chemistry, harmful bacteria can grow out of control, producing a fishy odour.

Some women with BV experience other symptoms, such as itching or burning, which may feel like a yeast infection. For many women though, the smell is the only symptom. Prescription antibiotics can treat the problem.

Healthful habits can also reduce the risk of BV. Those include:

• Avoiding douches, which upset the delicate pH balance of the vagina.

• Not using scented or flavored products in or around the vagina. Perfumes and other products, such as scented tampons, can alter vaginal chemistry and cause BV.

• Limiting the number of sexual partners and practicing safer sex. While BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), multiple sexual partners can upset the bacteria balance in the vagina, causing BV.

Sweet or beer-like vaginal odour

A yeast overgrowth in the vagina can produce a sweet smell reminiscent of honey or cookies. The vagina might also smell like beer, flour, or bread.

Sometimes the odour smells sour, but it can also be pleasant. Intense burning, itching, or feelings of dryness usually accompany yeast infections. They tend to get worse over time, and some women may notice a discharge that resembles cottage cheese.

People can treat these infections using over-the-counter medicines. However, a woman experiencing her first yeast infection should talk to her doctor to rule out other causes.

Many of the same measures that prevent BV, such as avoiding scented products and never douching, can also prevent yeast overgrowth. Other strategies include:

• Only taking antibiotics when necessary: In some women, antibiotics kill beneficial vaginal bacteria, triggering the growth of vaginal yeast.

• Avoiding oral sex with people who have thrush in their mouth.

• Keeping the vaginal area relatively dry: As yeast thrives in a moist environment. Towel off after a bath or shower, and avoid sitting in wet swimwear or underwear.

Other odours

Hormonal changes during menopause may alter the scent of the vagina, and leave the vagina feeling dry.

Some STIs, notably trichomoniasis, may also alter the smell of the vagina. Any shift in vaginal odour, particularly if the smell is strong or unpleasant, demands a trip to the doctor. It is not recommended to use perfume to mask the smell.

2. Practice gentle hygiene

Safe, gentle vaginal hygiene practices can reduce vaginal odour. Some strategies include:

• Wiping front to back: This prevents faecal matter from getting into the vagina.

• Urinating immediately after sex.

• Using a gentle, fragrance-free soap on the vulva only. Inserting soap into the vagina can alter vaginal pH, causing infections and a foul odour.

• Changing underwear daily, or when underwear is sweaty or soiled.

• Washing underwear in unscented products.

• Showering after sweating or exercise as trapped sweat can increase vaginal odour.

• Washing the vulva with water if there is an unpleasant odour. Between showers, women can use a washcloth to gently wipe down the area, removing sweat and other sources of odour.

3. Choose the right menstrual products

Some women notice a stronger vaginal smell when they get their periods; some women smell an iron-like metallic odour, and others smell ammonia.

Some menstrual products trap odour, compounding this effect. To reduce odour:

• Try wearing internal products. The moisture of maxi pads and reusable cloth pads can contribute to odour. Sitting on a wet pad can also cause an infection.

• Change menstrual products frequently.

4. Know how sex affects vaginal odour

Some women notice a strong fishy odour immediately after sexual intercourse, which is a tell-tale sign of bacterial vaginosis. Others notice a less distinct smell.

Sometimes interactions between semen and vaginal fluids can cause vaginal odour. Some lubricants can also change vaginal pH and the odour that comes with it. To reduce the odour associated with vaginal intercourse:

• Use a condom to prevent semen from coming into contact with vaginal fluids.

• Rinse the vagina and vulva with plain water following intercourse. Do not douche.

• Avoid using scented or flavoured lubricants.

5. Consider a probiotic

Probiotics support healthy bacteria throughout the body, including in the vagina. Probiotics may help prevent some vaginal infections, especially yeast.

By controlling infections, probiotics can reduce causes of vaginal odour. Because probiotics help restore the vagina’s normal pH, they also help reduce vaginal odour.

6. Choose the right clothing

Clothing can trap things in or around the vagina such as:

• Sweat

• dead skin

• discharge

• leaked semen from earlier intercourse

• other sources of odour

Very tight-fitting clothing is a common culprit. That includes some shapewear. Faecal matter that travels to the vagina can cause infections and odours, so avoid clothing that encourages this spread. This includes tight-fitting thong underwear.

Breathable cotton is the best choice for women concerned about vaginal odour. Cotton is less likely to hold moisture close to the vagina. This makes it more difficult for bacteria and other sources of odour to accumulate and produce a strong smell.

7. Eat a healthful diet

Very sugary foods can trigger an overgrowth of yeast, altering the odour of the vagina.

There’s some evidence that other strong-smelling foods might also change the vagina’s smell. Onions, coffee, and other strong-smelling foods can alter the smell of the vagina by changing the smell of sweat and other bodily fluids.

There’s little scientific research supporting the use of any specific food to change the smell of the vagina. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that some sweet-smelling foods, such as watermelon, apple, and celery, might help.

It’s also important to drink plenty of water. Remaining well-hydrated prevents bacterial overgrowth. It can also prevent sweat from smelling bad, resulting in less pronounced vaginal odour.