What is Vaginal Odour?
Vaginal odour is an odour that comes from the vagina, which can sometimes be unpleasant to experience. Vaginal odour is common among most women. Although it is not usually a cause of concern, it can sometimes accompany symptoms like burning & itching sensation along with grey discharge.
Many women don’t know how to cure vaginal odour, but there are a number of ways in which you can cure it; naturally or with antibiotics. If the symptoms appear, it can be a sign of worry, which calls for a prompt visit to the gynaecologist.
Are you experiencing vaginal odour and want to reduce it? Here is a detailed guide to what causes vaginal odour and how to control vaginal odour.
What is Normal Vaginal Odour?
Every healthy vagina has a different odour. A normal vaginal odour may vary from musky to fleshy, but nothing too unpleasantly strong.
The presence of certain fluids and healthy bacteria maintain a proper pH in the vagina. This bacteria produces vaginal odour.
What Causes Vaginal Odour?
A vagina can effuse foul odour due to several reasons. Some of these are:
1. Bacterial Vaginosis
When healthy bacteria in the region grows too much that it disturbs the entire vaginal ecosystem, it can result in foul vaginal odour. The symptoms in this case may include; thin grey discharge, a strong fishy smell, or strong odour right after intercourse. It is advisable to visit the doctor if these symptoms show up.
2. Sweat
The vagina and the area around also have sweat secreting glands. There might be a very strong odour right after exercising, but it generally goes away after you change your sweaty clothes.
3. Diet
The food that you eat affects every single part of your body. The vagina is no exception to this; It can smell foul if you consume foods like onion, garlic, and asparagus in excess.
How to Remove Vaginal Odour?
In cases of Bacterial Vaginosis and other similar issues related to the overgrowth of healthy bacteria in the vagina, your gynaecologist can prescribe you some antibiotics like Clindamycin and Metronidazole, which may help you restore a healthy pH balance in the region.
These antibiotics should not be taken on the basis of your own judgement as they may have side effects and worsen the problem of burning and itching in the vaginal area. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to seek medical counsel to take steps on how to reduce vaginal odour.
Home Remedies and Food to Treat Vaginal Odour
Many women worry about how to treat vaginal odour at home. Here are a few remedies you can try.
1. Wash regularly
The best thing that you can do to your vagina is to leave it alone when it comes to getting rid of the foul odour. Wash the vagina with warm water regularly and avoid using harsh or fragrant soap; It can disturb the naturally acidic vaginal environment.
2. Products for PH Balance
Several over the counter products are available to help restore the PH balance of the vagina. However, if the symptoms persist even after the use of these products, consult a professional.
3. Pineapple
Eating raw pineapple or drinking pineapple juice during the day can help to naturally cure vaginal odour.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Bath
One cup of vinegar mixed in water can help improve the odour.
What Can Prevent Foul Vaginal Odour?
While there is no clear answer to how to avoid vaginal odour completely or how to get rid of vaginal odour, there are some measures that guide you on how to prevent vaginal odour.
1. Avoid douching
Douching can be a temporary fix to cure a foul vaginal odour but it can have long term ill effects by disturbing the natural pH of the vagina. You should therefore stay away from douching.
2. Use loose-fitting underwear and take care of hygiene
Underwear made of silk or lace is not the best option to maintain hygiene. Cotton underwear is the best fabric for your vagina that will let it breathe and not give out a foul odour. It is important to maintain hygiene to avoid vaginal odour.
3. Maintain a healthy weight and diet to avoid vaginal odour
If you are overweight and have excessive flesh around the folds and in the inner thighs area, your vagina can smell bad due to excessive sweat. Diet also plays an important role when it comes to preventing vaginal odour.
4. Drink plenty of water to avoid vaginal odour
Drinking eight glasses of water every day can help control the growth of unwanted bacteria in the body and prevent a foul vaginal odour.
Conclusion
Having a vaginal odour is 100% normal and need not be a cause of concern most of the time. However, when the vaginal odour becomes very foul (almost smelling fishy) and lasts for days accompanied by heavy discharge and other symptoms, you must see your gynaecologist at the earliest.
FAQs
How to get rid of women's body odour?
Using fresh towels, taking a bath daily in hot water, using essential oils and wearing soft fabric clothing, maintaining a healthy diet are some ways that can help get rid of woman body odour.
Is vaginal odour normal?
Vaginal odour is common and is experienced by a large population of women. It usually lasts for a short period of time due to menstruation and intercourse. If it lasts longer and starts effusing a fishy smell, then you should see the doctor.
How to keep the vagina fresh all day?
Following vulvar care tips can keep the vagina fresh all day long. Some of these include rinsing your underclothes in warm water before wearing, only wearing clean underclothes, using warm water to clean the vagina, and avoid using any body wash or soap bars for the vagina.
How to get rid of vaginal odour naturally?
Getting completely rid of vaginal odour is not naturally possible as healthy bacteria produce this smell. Bacteria is essential for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment. You can follow the home remedies mentioned to understand how to improve vaginal odour.
