6 Common Vaginal Smells and What They Mean
First things first: Yes, vaginas are supposed to smell. There’s good bacteria down there working hard to make sure your vagina stays healthy, and it’s common for vaginal odor to vary during your menstrual cycle or even after eating certain foods.
The question isn’t really whether your vagina smells. It’s more a question of, “What exactly does your vagina smell like?” Does your discharge smell bad, but not fishy? Or does it smell yeasty? Your natural vaginal aroma is nothing to worry about, but if it smells off or like something you’re totally not used to, then a trip to the gynecologist is a good idea. In the meantime, Christine O’Connor, MD, Director of Well Woman and Adolescent Care at the Institute for Gynecologic Care at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, explains six common vaginal odors and what they might be trying to tell you.
1. Garlic, onions, or another type of food
Your breath isn’t the only thing that can be affected by a garlicky meal or a strong cup of coffee —fragrant foods can change your vaginal odor, too. As anyone who’s peed after eating asparagus can tell you, certain foods can cause some funky smells as they make their way out of your body. That doesn’t mean you should skip your favorite foods — just wash them down with plenty of fluids.
“If you’re really active, and you’re drinking a lot of water and flushing everything out, I would anticipate that the smell would go away much more quickly,” says Dr. O’Connor.
2. Musky and sweaty
While we don’t really want to compare vaginas to armpits, the thing is, they can both get a little funky after a cardio sesh. “That area’s probably not going to be too pleasant after an intense workout,“ Dr. O’Connor explains. Of course, the heart-healthy benefits of exercise far outweigh any worries about vaginal odor, and it’s nothing a quick rinse can’t fix. “Even for people who have a strong odor after a workout, a shower should get things back to normal,” Dr. O’Connor says.
3. Yeasty
Your vagina does contain a small amount of yeast. But if it starts smelling like a bakery down there, something might be wrong. This could be a sign of a yeast infection, especially when it is accompanied by white and clumpy discharge. A yeast infection can be caused by hormones, antibiotics, certain cleansers, or anything that throws off the gentle balance of fungus and bacteria in your vagina. The infections are typically easily treatable with an anti-fungal medication, so if you have any of the symptoms, call your doctor.
4. Metallic
If you’re smelling a metallic odor down there, it probably just means you’re on your period. Blood contains iron, so the smell often accompanies that time of the month. The smell should pass once your flow is finished.
5. Something rotten
A wayward tampon that you may have left in too long can lead to a build-up of bacteria that causes a foul, rotten odor. If you finished your period within the past week, this could be the culprit. “An easy way to check is to just sweep into the vagina with a clean finger and see if you can feel anything,” Dr. O’Connor says. “If you’re not sure, see a doctor for them to check.” Once the tampon is removed, things should return to status quo pretty quickly. Remember, it’s recommended that you change tampons every 4-8 hours, according to the Cleveland Clinic, or more if your flow is heavier.
6. Fishy
A funky, fishy odor could be a sign of a vaginal infection like bacterial vaginosis, a fairly common infection caused by an upset pH balance in your vagina. But odor usually isn’t the only symptom of bacterial vaginosis, so ask yourself if you’ve noticed anything else unusual. “A much more common symptom for bacterial vaginosis would be an abnormal discharge — potentially a slightly different color with itching and irritation in the vaginal area,” Dr. O’Connor says. “For pelvic inflammatory disease, the most common symptom is pain in the pelvic area.” If you notice either of those symptoms, give your doctor a call.
Bottom line: Most vaginal odors aren’t anything to worry about, so as long as a shower clears thing up, you’re probably good to go. But to help prevent odors in the future, wear breathable underwear. “The more breathable fabrics you’re wearing, the less you notice [odors] because you’re able to get some air flowing in there,” Dr. O’Connor explains.
Remember that even though you might think the odor is super strong, you’re probably the only one who notices it. Don’t try to cover up your vaginal odor with soaps or douching because that will throw off your pH balance and can cause even worse odors. “The skin and tissues [around your vagina] are actually quite sensitive,” Dr. O'Connor says. A shower with mild soap is all the “feminine hygiene” you need. If the funky odor lingers after you clean your vagina, it’s worth talking to your doc to check for any possible infections and put your mind at ease.
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