The Sweet Smell of Perspective
And Other Ways We Sniff Out Those Signature Scents
When it comes to the various things women stress about when it comes to our bodies, vaginal odor ranks rather high. However, it’s absolutely normal to have some kind of vaginal scent and it varies from person to person. Our lady bits aren’t supposed to smell like flowers or taste like fresh fruit. They’re supposed to smell like… well, you. A woman’s body is a beautiful thing and our personal scent is determined by a variety of factors.
At the risk of too much information, it’s necessary to share why this article came about. One day last week, I was overwhelmed with the pungent aroma coming from the nether-regions when I went to use the bathroom. It wasn’t my usual scent and it caused me to pause because the smell disconcerting. In fact, the husband walked in and stopped in his tracks,
“Oh my god, is that you?”
Needless to say, I was immediately embarrassed, but then I had to laugh. At this point, there’s very little we haven’t experienced together when it comes to bodily functions and this definitely wasn’t the worst. He promptly turned on the fan and back away saying,
“I’ll talk to you when your done. I’m out!”
For the record, I did shower that morning; however, this wasn’t the first time I was overcome with such a funky scent. At the risk of too much information, my husband and I had been intimate the night before, which I realized contributed to the temporary change in smell. It was the result of the mingling of our bodily fluids and the interaction with my vagina's natural environment. It didn’t always happen to me, but when it did, it was off-putting. Fortunately, with the vagina being a self-cleaning entity, the odor issue was resolved by the next day.
With billions of bacteria calling the vagina home, it's important to remember that these changes can occur daily, sometimes hourly—especially when external elements come into play. The vaginal microbiome is a complex micro-ecosystem that undergoes continuous changes throughout a woman's life. Lactobacillus, known for its crucial role in maintaining vaginal health, is the most commonly found microorganism in a healthy vagina. This bacteria contributes to the ecosystem by producing substances such as lactic acid, which helps inhibit the growth of yeast and other potentially harmful organisms.
In some cases, an unusual vaginal scent may be an indication of a pH imbalance. That change in pH can cause the bacteria that naturally grow inside your vagina to become rather unruly. Semen has a higher pH compared to the pH range in a vagina and will influence that imbalance. To be more specific, the semen's pH typically ranges from 7.2 to 8.0, while the healthy vaginal pH is typically in the range of 3.8 to 4.5. That’s quite a difference! Fortunately, any “off” smell usually clears up on its own within a day or two. However, if it doesn’t, a doctors visit may be necessary.
Although vaginal aroma is a natural aspect of a woman's life, it's common for many of us to feel self-conscious. It's important to remember that variations in scent are entirely normal and not usually a cause for concern. Factors such as menstrual cycle, hygiene habits, and individual body chemistry can all influence these natural scent fluctuations. However, certain odors may indeed signal an underlying issue; which I’ll get into later. For post-menopausal women like myself, our bodies continue to experience hormonal changes. Reduced estrogen levels can impact the balance of healthy bacteria, pH levels, and subsequently, our feminine odor.
You are what you eat.
Each woman's body is unique, and dietary changes can have varying effects on vaginal health and odor. Certain foods and supplements may contribute to maintaining a healthy vaginal environment, but remember that results can differ between individuals. To address specific concerns, it's best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice tailored to your unique circumstances.
Cranberries are beneficial and also help prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). When choosing a juice, it’s best to buy unsweetened to avoid all the sugars as it will raise the pH balance leading to yeast infections (See below). If you don’t like the taste, cranberry supplement pills will generally replace two servings of juice.
Foods with healthy fats—such as nuts, olive oils, and avocado—keep your cholesterol and estrogen levels balanced. In turn, they keep your pH level in your vagina balanced.
Probiotics, found in foods like yogurt, olives, or buttermilk, can help maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive system and positively impact vaginal health. However, not everyone tolerates these foods well. Probiotic supplements or vaginal suppositories are alternative options.
Where probiotics are living microorganisms that function as good bacteria, prebiotics are carbohydrates that feed that “good” bacteria. Prebiotics can be found in honey, bananas, onions, and garlic—to name a few. This is also available in supplement form and recommended to be taken with a probiotic.
Water is probably the most essential element in good health. Staying hydrated keeps your vagina functioning and aids in its ability to keep itself clean by increasing lubrication. This further maintains an overall balance of the pH levels of the vagina. There are conflicting arguments on how much you should drink per day. Some may need only four to six cups of water, depending on other fluid sources such as coffee, tea, fruits, and vegetables. Other factors such as activity level, outside temperatures, overall health, and age can dictate what your body needs. Your best bet is to sip on water throughout the day—even if you’re not actually thirsty.
Then we have foods that throw off your vaginal pH balance. Foods higher in sugar can throw off your pH levels tremendously. Alcohol is processed the same as sugar in our body, therefore, moderation is key. Fortunately, red wine has been shown to increase the blood flow to your vagina and increase libido. Naturally, there a limits with two glasses per day recommended.
Processed foods, or those that are not whole or naturally occurring, can negatively impact vaginal health. While it may be challenging to consume only whole foods due to our hectic lifestyles, we should strive to minimize our intake of ready-made items.
For those who consume meat and dairy, opt for hormone-free options whenever possible to avoid introducing additional hormones into your body. Products without hormones will typically be labeled as USDA-certified organic or explicitly marked as “hormone-free."
Whiff of whimsy
The are quite a few common scents that naturally occur in our vaginas and it’s normal to have some kind of odor. A tangy or pungent odor like yogurt or sourdough bread is how one smell is best described. The pH of a healthy vagina is slightly acidic and yours may have higher levels. This is also common for post menopausal women.
Metallic, or fondly referred to as a copper penny smell, may happen after menstruation. Since blood contains iron, which has a metallic scent, there may be a residual odor from your period for a few days. It may also happen after sex if some vaginal bleeding occurs. Lubricant should be used to eliminate any friction.
A sweeter scent is also common and, again, a result of pH balance. Some may compare it to molasses or fruit.
A chemical odor, like your vagina was just visited by a cleaning service, could be residual urine in your panties or around your vulva. And, if you’re dehydrated, urine has a strong ammonia scent. For those who’ve given birth to children, it’s common to have a little trickle of urine when we sneeze or even after emptying our bladder.
An earthy scent, like body odor, is also quite common. There are many sweat glands down below, so smelling like you’ve just had a workout can easily happen.
There are also a few not so great odors that may require an immediate visit to the doctor. Fishy has been a regularly used descriptor, and if there is a strong smell of bad fish odor, your pH balance is definitely way off. This often is a result of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), which occurs when there’s an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. BV is the most common vaginal infection and the causes aren’t quite nailed down. Doctors do know that being sexually active does increase the risk for BV.
If you have some thin, white or gray discharge, pain or itchiness, or a burning sensation when you pee— antibiotics are needed. It is easily treated and rarely causes other health problems. If left untreated, however, it can increase a risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Another cause for a strong fish odor is a sexually transmitted disease called trichomoniasis, It is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis, a type of single-celled organism. They thrive in moist environments, particularly the urethra, vagina, and vulva; therefore, making women more susceptible. During intercourse and genital contact, these parasites can easily travel from one person to another. Symptoms include: white, gray, yellow, or green discharge; burning, itching, pain during urination or sexual activity.
Unlike a lot of STIs, if left untreated, trichomoniasis doesn’t travel up the reproductive tract and infect those organs. However, the parasites will stay localized and may continue to multiply for months or even years. It is absolutely necessary to visit your gynecologist for treatment.
One common affliction many woman have experienced is a yeast infection—caused by an overgrowth of yeast in and around the vagina or vulva. There will mostly likely be a strong itching sensation and a white discharge similar to cottage cheese. Should there be an odor, it’s usually rather mild and yeasty like bread. Other symptoms may include burning and redness. Common causes are hormone changes, sweat, scented soaps, stress, and body chemistry with your sexual partner.
If you’re confident it’s a yeast infection, there are many over-the-counter anti-fungal remedies. If you’re unsure, make an appointment with your gynecologist for a diagnosis. Please note that women who are pregnant and girls under age 12 years should not use OTC yeast infection treatments.
Don’t try this at home
It is crucially important to avoid using a douche to wash away a vaginal smell. Douche, the French word for wash, contains ingredients that often include vinegar, baking soda, iodine, antiseptics, and fragrances. The mixture is then sprayed or squirted upward into the vagina with the intention of cleaning it out. As I mentioned, the vagina is designed to naturally maintain a healthy pH balance and filled with bacteria that help stop infections and prevent irritations. Using a douche may greatly reduce the number of healthy bacteria allowing problematic bacteria to flourish.
A common mishap for menstruating women is forgetting about your tampon during menstruation. Some may ask how it’s remotely possible to forget—it just is and many woman have done this. In fact, I’ve forgotten twice in my lifetime. The first time was in my mid-thirties when I didn’t realize I hadn’t removed my tampon and inserted another. This caused the first to push into my vaginal cavity. The smell was intensely awful and I was distraught until I realized the problem. I ran out of the house, embarrassed and in tears, to purchase a douche; thinking it would rid me of the horrible odor. It didn’t help at all. Within a couple of days, my vagina did its natural thing and the bad odor was completely gone.
The second time happened in the same manner about ten years later. This time it was discovered in the midst of sex. Once again, the smell was atrocious and I remembered immediately the reason. Oddly enough, I wasn’t too embarrassed, but as you can imagine, any continued intimacy was derailed.
I’m sharing my story because it’s important to understand these things happen to the best of us. In fact, it’s more common than you think. Aside from the impending smell, a woman may experience abdominal cramps. Although rare, there is a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) if a tampon is left too long and symptoms such as nausea or fever develop. If you’re not quite sure and can’t find the elusive tampon, see your gynecologist as soon as possible. This isn’t uncommon for them and they have the tools to help remove the tampon, or investigate any other potential issues
It's important to remember that vaginal health can be a sensitive subject for many women, often causing unnecessary anxiety. Trust your intuition and listen to your body, as you know it best. A healthy vagina will naturally have a distinct scent with subtle variations—it will smell and taste as it should. However, if you notice a persistent or unusual odor that raises concern, don't hesitate to reach out to your ob-gyn for guidance and reassurance.
Leave a comment if you have any questions or would like to share your story.
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