Vaginal Odor 101: A Guide to Vaginal Odor (and What It Can Cause)

Fact: Vaginas are supposed to smell like… you guessed it, vaginas.

Despite that horrible comment made by your even more horrible ex, and/or that horribly ill-advised advertisement for douching, your vagina is supposed The vagina has a characteristic odor that tends to change throughout the menstrual cycle and at the beginning of menopause. The vagina, like the intestine, is full of different bacteria and yeasts that play a positive role in our health.

And yet, as Louisa Leontiades points out in her article for Jezebel, My Vagina Smells Like Shame: “I had a friend in college who grew a mustache because he liked to give women oral sex and have their scent linger the next day in the hairs under his nostrils… I would see him in my quantitative methods class stroking his mustache upward and winking at me. He loved the smell of pussy. But when I was little, he was one of the few who did it.”

Aside from the uninitiated (guys), there are of course vaginal odors that can indicate that something is wrong. Keep in mind that every vaginal odor is different, but for reference, here are 6 vaginal odors, what they can mean for the overall health of your vagina, and what causes vaginal odor:

1. Soft

Most of us have heard rumors that a person’s diet can affect health. the taste and smell of your vaginaAnecdotal studies suggest that foods like watermelon, apple, celery, citrus fruits, pineapple, and grapefruit can help soften the odor and taste of vaginal discharge. On the other hand, onions, garlic, broccoli, and asparagus can cause what some describe as “unpleasant” taste.

But there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Your diet can’t affect your vagina this way because that’s not how the body works; the vagina is not part of the digestive tract. That said, sweet odors can occur, and yeast can be the cause. If you’re also experiencing symptoms of a yeast infection (see #4), be sure to treat it.

2. Metallic

When the uterine lining comes out of the vagina during menstruation, it may give off a peculiar odor, but it is not harmful. Menstrual blood can change the pH, causing a coppery or metallic odor, even after menstruation. You can wash your vulva, but avoid strongly scented soaps, as they can disrupt the pH, and never wash the inside of the vagina, as it cleans itself in this regard.

Other than that, this metallic scent is inherently cyclical, so it won’t last.

3. Fish

Ah, the infamous fishy vaginal odor. The most likely culprit? Bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is a bacterial imbalance in the vagina: the infection reduces the good lactic acid-producing bacteria, leading to an overgrowth of bad bacteria. These bad bacteria can sometimes cause a musky, fishy odor, especially after vaginal intercourse. Alkaline (i.e. higher pH) semen interacts with the compounds released by the bacteria, making it more likely that you’ll smell something.

Although it is sometimes accompanied by irritation and/or white, gray or green discharge, many people have no symptoms. If it’s simply an issue of unstable vaginal pH, you may be able to rebalance your vaginal acidity with an over-the-counter pH gel. home remedies Apple cider vinegar or garlic are known to help, although there is no medical evidence to support this at this time.

Bacterial vaginosis is usually not dangerous on its own, but it is important to treat it because it increases your risk of STIs and pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have symptoms, see your doctor for an antibiotic (opt for the insertable cream rather than the oral tablets so you don’t cause a yeast infection instead).

Note: If you see green discharge along with itching and pain when you urinate, you may have trichomoniasis, a common and easily treatable STI that also requires a doctor’s visit and antibiotics.

4. Yeast

While some yeast will typically take up residence in your vagina even under the best of conditions, yeast infections can occur when lubricants, spermicides, antibiotic use, or even pregnancy allow the fungus to overgrow. And sometimes, this overgrowth can cause irritation and foreign odors.

Most yeast infections don’t smell bad on their own, but when they do occur, they’re known to have a slightly beer-like or yeasty odor. If you notice redness, burning, or pain after urinating along with this discharge, you’re likely suffering from a yeast infection. There are a myriad of over-the-counter treatments available, with vaginal suppositories being the most effective. That said, it’s always best to consult your doctor if you’re unsure of the nature of the problem, as the majority of people who self-diagnose don’t actually have an infection.

5. Bleach

Lubes or condoms can contribute to a “whitening” or chlorine-like odor. Just switch to unscented lubricants in the future if that doesn’t work for you. If condoms or lube don’t, other causes of whitening odors include: bacterial vaginosis, which can sometimes smell like ammonia rather than fish; your urine if you’re particularly dehydrated; and the low acidic pH of semen after sex. If it doesn’t go away on its own, your doctor should find out what’s going on.

6. Really bad

If your current odor can only be described as foul and you also have a high fever, lower abdominal pain, and painful intercourse, you either have a foreign body (most commonly a forgotten tampon) inside or pelvic inflammatory disease, which is caused by STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia (when the suspected bacteria migrate from the vagina or cervix to the uterus and other reproductive organs).

This is not something to take lightly, as it can lead to infertility and/or chronic pain if left untreated, but is usually cleared up by antibiotics. Call your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms. Of all the vaginal odors in the rainbow, this is definitely the most concerning.

In conclusion

Most of the odors our vaginas emit are normal or easy to eliminate when treated properly. The biggest thing is to love and accept yourself more and stop letting misogynistic (it’s true) olfactory norms proliferate, because they can smell quite rancid if left unchecked!