Ever wonder why your vagina smells? Do you suffer from vagina odours? Well we are going to share 10 common vaginal odours and what they mean at CherryDTV.
Before we start it’s a good thing to remember and relax knowing that some vaginal odours are normal especially if you are noticing them on the daily. But most people do not give much thought to what their vagina smells like… until it smells…. off!
So if you have caught yourself googling “why does my vagina smell?” or “vagina odours and what do they mean?” then this blog post has been written just for you and if not, then you are just really curious to know what the scents are so you can stick around for the right fragrance.
I’d like to preface by saying that if your vagina is starting to smell rotten, fishy, or bread-like down there, please call your gynaecologist immediately.
1. Rotten.
A super-strong smell that resembles rotting food is probably thanks to a tampon that’s been left in for a few days or part there of. A combination of what is blood and bacteria along with vaginal secretions stuck in that tampon are creating the smell.
If you are struggling to remove your tampon don’t stress, make an appointment with your gynaecologist and they can help you get it out, the odour should improve within minutes.
2. Fishy.
If you notice a strong, fishy odour coming from your vagina, you could have bacterial vaginosis, aka BV. BV is an infection caused by an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria in the vagina. You might also experience a white or grey discharge, burning when you pee, and itching around the outside.
On the other hand, if you have a fishy smell and green or yellowish discharge, vaginal itching and burning, and pain when you pee or have sex, you could have one of the most common Sexually Transmitted Disesases (STD’s) called trichomoniasis.
Either way, don’t stress.
Just see your gynaecologist so they can check it out and prescribe antibiotics if needed.
3. Bread Box.
If it smells like you are baking a loaf of bread down stairs in your basement, then you most likely have what is commonly known as a Yeast Infection. Other signs that this is the culprit is cottage cheese-like discharge and intense itchiness.
4. Really, Really Bad.
If the smell is really, really bad accompanied by a fever of 100.4 or higher, pain in the lower abdomen, or painful sex, this could mean you could have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is usually caused when the bad bacteria from STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia move from the vagina or cervix into the uterus.
If you suspect you might have PID, call your doctor ASAP so they can prescribe you an antibiotic. If left untreated, it can cause infertility and chronic pelvic pain.
5. Bleach Scent.
Experiencing a chlorine or bleach-like scent after sex is nothing to worry about.
It’s most likely due to the particular lubricant or condoms you’re using, says Jennifer Wider, MD, a nationally renowned women’s health expert. Try an unscented lube or a different brand of condoms if it the smell really bothers you.
6. Tinned-Canny?
Does your vagina’s scent du jour vaguely remind you of a tin-can? If this is happening During your period, you’re all good. When the blood (aka your uterine lining) exits your body, it can give off this smell, but it’s not unhealthy. So you can relax.
7. Musky.
Don’t be alarmed if your lady bits smell a ‘lil muskier than usual. Just like your pits, your vulva has sweat glands that create moisture, which can lead to a stronger odour at times. This is nothing to worry about either. But if you want to feel a little fresher, try using a pH balancing gel or taking a shower to wash away the excess sweat.
8. Sweet Like Candy?
Your diet can affect the taste and scent of your vagina.
That’s why you’ve probably heard your friends suggest eating pineapple before someone goes down on you (me to those friends: Mind ya business).
Citrus fruits like oranges, pineapple, and grapefruit have been known to sweeten the smell and taste of vaginal fluids, mmm… yummy? But let’s not stress about smells before getting some action.
Your girl is perfect just the way she is.
9. Pungent.
Foods like onions and garlic can make your vagina odours like them, too.
That’s because the food’s scent gets excreted by sweat glands all over your body, including your vulva, and could also be present in your vaginal fluids and your pee could also come into play with certain food like asparagus, which is known to give urine a strong smell.
Since your urethra is so close to your vagina, the smell of the pee could contribute to vaginal odor, but don’t let this keep you from eating all the garlic bread.
The smell of your vulva is NOTHING to be ashamed of.
10. Cheesy?
Alright…
so this one is less common, but some people do complain of cheese-like vagina odours coming from their vagina. This scent isn’t caused by one particular thing, says Jackie Walters, MD, an Atlanta-based ob-gyn and author of The Queen V: Everything You Need to Know About Sex, Intimacy, and Down There Health Care. It could be an infection, or a combination of factors like a yeast infection coming into contact with a lubricant, or trichomoniasis coming into contact with a condom, she explains.
In other words, go see your gynaecologist to get to the bottom of it.
