Vagina Odor: What Can I Do For Feminine Odor?

Do you have a vagina odor down there and you’re worried your smelly vagina may be due to an infection?

Vaginal odor in women is not always due to an infection. It may be due to what you eat, stress or your personal hygiene. Some normal discharge also has a mild, musky or slightly sour smell that is not a sign of disease.

However, vaginal infections may change your vagina odor. Common infections that can cause abnormal vaginal discharge and odor are bacterial vaginosis (BV), and some sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomonas infections (trichomoniasis).

This guide will explain the causes and what you can do for feminine odor. It is for information only and does not replace seeing your doctor, nurse or sexual health clinic if you are worried. 

Is it normal for vagina to have odor?

Its difficult to say the normal vagina scent you should have. This is because vaginal odor can change with your daily activities and personal lifestyle. However, there are abnormal vaginal odor that means there is a problem. If your vagina smells rotten, very strong or your discharge is smelling like fish and this is new or lasts more than a few days, then its an abnormal smell and needs to be checked. 

Women may sometimes have a different vaginal odor after intercourse, after eating some types of food, a stressful day, excessive sweating, type of lubricant used during intercourse or if you have an infection down there.

Vaginal odor vary from woman to women and it can be influenced by hygiene levels, use of external vagina sprays, the kind of underwear you use and your normal body scent. It is not always a sign of “being dirty”.

The pH of your vagina can affect how it smells. Normal vagina pH is between 3.5 and 4.5. This acidic environment in the vagina helps good bacteria (lactobacilli) to grow and can reduce the growth of some harmful bacteria, but it does not completely prevent infections.

In addition, it is normal if you have a mild sour smelling discharge down there without vagina itching or burning or increased pain during sexual intercourse. Body hormones fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy and after childbirth can affect your vaginal odor and discharge pattern. PMC

If you want to see more examples of normal and abnormal discharge, this NHS guide on vaginal discharge is also helpful. nhs.uk

What causes vaginal odor in women

These are some of the reasons you may have an odor down there:

Stress

If you notice an unpleasant vaginal odor after a stressful day, then you may not have to worry just yet. During a stressful day, the apocrine glands increases sweat production. Sweat when mixed with your discharge can cause an unpleasant vagina odor.

This usually resolves if you improve vagina hygiene, take your bath regularly, reduces stress level and exercise regularly. If the smell is strong, new for you, or continues for more than a few days, you should see a doctor or sexual health clinic to rule out infection. Devon Sexual Health

What you eat

Vaginal odor and taste can change slightly with the type of food you eat. Some women that take coffee, garlic, onions, alcohol and plenty of meat might notice slight change in their vaginal odors. Provided there is no signs of inflammation like pain in your vagina during intercourse or abnormal vaginal discharge, then its okay. Changing your diet may improve your vagina odor, but strong or fishy smells should still be checked medically.

Bacterial vaginosis

Did you notice your vagina smells like fish odor? Do you feel pain in your lower abdomen? Did you use a douche to wash your vagina? Then its possible your bad vaginal odor is due to bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis, commonly called BV, can make your vagina smell offensively, especially after sex. BV is caused when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is changed and there is overgrowth of certain bacteria. CDC

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

The exact cause of BV is not fully understood. However, anything that upsets the normal vaginal flora and pH can increase your risk. Examples are:

• Use of soap to wash inside your vagina

• Use of detergent or vaginal sprays inside your vagina

• Vaginal douching (Washing your vagina with high flow water)

• Having a new sexual partner or multiple partners

• Not using condoms with sex CDC+1

A normal vagina have good bacteria (Also called lactobacillus), the bad bacteria (These are organisms that can cause infection), fungi and cervical mucus.

The lactobacillus, which is a protective bacteria, ensures that the pH of your vagina is acidic. This helps prevent overgrowth of the bad bacteria thereby preventing vaginal infections naturally. When BV occurs, lactobacilli reduce and other bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus, Prevotella and others increase. CDC+1

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis infections are

• Fishy smelling discharge (often thin and grey or white)

• Foul smelling vaginal discharge, especially after sex

• Mild vagina itching or irritation sometimes

• Some women have no symptoms at all

If you think you have BV, you should see your doctor or clinic for proper diagnosis and treatment rather than trying to treat yourself with leftover antibiotics or home remedies. Mayo Clinic+1

Trichomonas infection

This is a sexually transmitted infection that can affect both males and females. Most women may not show trichomonas infection symptoms.

Tichomonas infection, also called trich, can cause abnormal vaginal odor in women. It is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis and is spread mainly by sex without a condom or sharing unwashed sex toys. CDC+1

Some of the symptoms you may experience are

• Foul smelling vaginal discharge, sometimes yellow-green or frothy

• Vagina pain during sexual intercourse

• Vaginal itching or soreness

• Discomfort or burning during urination

• Low abdomen pain

What to do If i have vaginal odor and these symptoms?

Inform your doctor ASAP to get tested and treated. Reinfection will occur if your partner is not treated too. Are you pregnant with symptoms of trichomoniasis? Then you should inform your doctor ASAP because trich can increase the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. IWTK+1

Gonorrhea infection

Gonorrhea, which is sexually transmitted, can cause women to have abnormal vaginal odor. It is caused by Neisseria gonorrhea with these symptoms:

• Yellow or greenish mucus discharge

• Smelling vagina or strong vaginal odor

• Vagina itching and burning

• Vulva pain

• Painful intercourse or discomfort

• Pain while urinating

• Sometimes women may experience pus-like discharge from their vagina, or pain in the lower abdomen if pelvic inflammatory disease has started

What to do if i have gonorrhea symptoms?

Inform your doctor if you have vagina odor with these symptoms. If you have had intercourse before then its likely an STD. Gonorrhea in women can be cured after treatment with the right antibiotics, and your sexual partners should also be tested and treated. Untreated infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Peoria City/County Health Department+1

Vagina fistula

An abnormal connection between the vagina and the rectum is a recto-vaginal fistula. This connection can allow feaces to enter your vagina resulting to bad vaginal odor.

Symptoms of a vagina fistula are

• Persistent or recurrent infection

• Vaginal burning and irritation of perineal areas

• Painful intercourse

• Feaces coming out of your vagina

• Passing gas from your vagina

If you experience these symptoms then you should let your doctor know. Vaginal fistulas usually need specialist review and sometimes surgery.

Other causes of vaginal odor are

• Poor vaginal hygiene

• Forgotten tampon during periods

• Cervical cancer

• Vulva or vaginal cancer

• Other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia or pelvic inflammatory disease

If you have persistent bad vaginal odor with bleeding after sex, unexpected weight loss, a visible lump or ulcer on the cervix or vulva, or you are over 40, you should see a doctor urgently to rule out cancer or other serious causes. PMC

What can i do for feminine odor

If you have a feminine odor or bad vaginal odor, then you should inform you doctor. However, these are some ways you can get rid of your vaginal smell at home.

Improve vaginal hygiene

Try to clean you vagina with water and avoid use of soap inside your vagina. Take your bath regularly and try avoid use of vaginal sprays inside your vagina. Scented wipes, deodorant sprays and “feminine washes” can irritate the vagina and sometimes make the smell worse. ACOG+1

Stop synthetic underwear

Tight synthetic underwater will make you vagina moist making infection and smell possible. Also, sweat from tight underwear can change vaginal odor.

Use cotton underwear

Tight underwear prevent air flow into your vaginal area resulting to abnormal vagina odor. This can be prevented by using cotton underwear.

Change your underwear every 12 hours

You don’t want vaginal discharge on your underwear for too long. Proper hygiene and regular change of panties can prevent infection and smell.

Stop vaginal douching

Vaginal douching can cause women to have abnormal smell from their vagina due to bacterial vaginosis infection. Vaginal discharge is a natural way the body keeps the vagina clean. Avoid douching with water, soap, vinegar, antiseptic or herbal mixtures. CDC+1

Reduce your stress level

Improving stress or having regular exercise may help your vaginal odor. You should inform your doctor if your vagina continues to smell.

Try proven products (Home treatment)

Avoid putting unproven products like vinegar, lemon, toothpaste, herbs, steam or strong antiseptics directly into the vagina as home treatment. They can burn the skin, upset your vaginal pH and make infections and odor worse. Only use over-the-counter creams or tablets for thrush or BV if your doctor or pharmacist is sure of the diagnosis. ACOG+1

Regularly wash your vagina before and after intercourse

The type of lubricant used during intercourse or semen from man can cause your vagina to smell. You should regularly wash your vaginal area with water (not inside the vagina) before and after intercourse to prevent bad vaginal odor or infection. Using condoms can also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections and some causes of abnormal discharge. ACOG+1

When should I see a doctor urgently?

You should seek medical help quickly if:

• Your vaginal odor is strong, fishy or rotten and lasts more than a few days

• You have fever, severe lower tummy pain or feel very unwell

• You are pregnant and notice new bad-smelling discharge

• There is bleeding after sex or between periods

• You see a lump, sore or ulcer on your vulva or inside the vagina

These can be signs of infections that need prescription treatment or, rarely, more serious conditions.

FAQs about feminine odor

These are some frequently asked questions about vaginal odor that you may be interested in. Let us know below if you have more questions.

How do i get rid of feminine odor and discharge

• Wash your vagina before and after intercourse

• Change your underwear every 12 hours

• Don’t use soap or detergent inside your vagina

• Stop vaginal douching

• Improve your stress level

• Regular exercise

• Don’t take antibiotic without doctors prescription

Read more: Smelly discharge treatment and cure

If the smell or discharge does not improve after a few days of good hygiene, or if you have pain, itching, burning or bleeding, you should see your doctor or a sexual health clinic for proper tests.

Feminine odor and sweating? Is it possible?

Yes. If you have an abnormal feminine odor following a stressful day, then improving your health and reducing stress can help.

Sweat, produced by the apocrine gland, when mixed with your vaginal white discharge can change your vagina odor with a bad smell. You should inform your doctor if this odor continues after reducing stress and improving vaginal hygiene, or if you notice other symptoms like itching, pain, unusual discharge colour, or bleeding.

Now its your turn. Do you have an abnormal vaginal odor? Let us know.