Does your vagina (labia) smell different, and you don't like that odor? Now, you are looking for the most effective ways to eliminate this vaginal odor. Every day, almost 45% of women in the U.S. search online for "How to get rid of vagina odor at home?" We live in the 21st century, but discussing such topics in public seems embarrassing. It is not normal to ask anybody how to get rid of the heinous smell in the vagina.
Maybe it's easier for you, but you have to think twice before discussing sexual health topics, even with your friends. We have decided to help you out getting rid of that feminine odor by sharing simple and most-effective tips. Get ready and read this post till the end to resolve this smelly issue.
What Exactly Is Vaginal Odor?
Before we start discussing how to get rid of vagina odor, let's understand what exactly it is? Simply put, every woman’s labia smells different and has some sort of odor. The healthy ones have a mild smell that changes with sexual activities. So, it is clear that every vagina smells of a different odor, and it's not an issue of worry.
However, this smells changes into stinky or unpleasant after sex, the mensuration cycle, and pregnancy. There is also another criterion that is used in medical science to determine the odor of the vagina. It is the PH level that shows how acidic is the vagina of a particular woman. It is essential to notice that if your labia smell weird with a discharge, it may be a sign of a severe health problem called vaginitis. In this case, you should contact a sexologist to find effective treatment options.
Different Types Of Vagina Odor (Know Its Types)
When it comes to defining the different types of vagina odor, it varies from woman to woman. You might get a weird smell during pregnancy which changes with time. According to medical studies, vaginal odor is classified into two categories: Normal and abnormal. As it sounds, typical aroma includes smells that last short and indicates the right PH level. It is not a concern of sexual diseases. Let's understand these two odors of the vagina and their available subcategories.
Normal Vaginal odors
The normal vaginal odors smell different and determine by their PH levels. Here are its subcategories, along with a brief explanation:
- Tangy and sour smell: Indicates the PH level of the vagina is slightly higher, which is the result of bacteria present in vaginal tissues.
- Bittersweet smell: Indicates the PH level or acidity in the vagina changes with time.
- Metallic smell: It signifies that your vagina odor changes due to the menstrual cycle.
- A body odor or shunk scent: It shows that the PH level is not under control and you are under stress.
- Mix sweet smell: It indicates that your vagina has urine residues left.
Abnormal Vaginal Odor
In the abnormal vaginal odor, certain types of infections occur in the vagina. It is a sign of sexual diseases. When there is no balance between the vaginal bacteria, it causes inflammation and irritation, leading to vaginitis. During this, the labia smell unpleasant and discharge fluid. Here are its subcategories and its brief explanation:
- A Fishy Smell: It is also known as bacterial vaginosis(BV). It is caused due to the deficiency of the vagina flora. You feel notice this smell after sex, along with grayish discharge.
- Yeast smell: It results from the yeast infection in which a thick cheese discharge comes out. You might also notice the redness around the vagina along with the pain during the pee.
- Musky odor: This vaginal odor is similar to the BV and smells musky. It results from sexually transmitted infection(STI) caused by the parasite.
Why Does My Vagina Smell Different?
It is common to ask why my vagina smells different and how to eliminate vagina odor at home? As we mentioned, the odor of the vagina differs and changes with time. Whether it's sex or mensuration, you will find a unique smell. However, it is vital to notice the other symptoms like colored discharge along with vaginal odor. Here are the leading causes of the feminine odor:
- Cervical cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
- Unbalanced diet
- Night sweats
- Vaginitis
- Trichomoniasis
- Changes in hormones during, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
- Washing the vagina with a wash mixed with another fluid like baking soda and iodine.
Diagnosis Process Of Vaginal Odor
The different odor of the vagina is considered a medical condition that can also cause irritation, inflammation, and discharge. You can't rely on your smelling ability to understand which sexual infection is associated with a particular odor. To find out how to get rid of odor in the vagina, you should know the right diagnosis process.
It not only makes you aware of serious medical conditions but also helps your doctors find the right treatment for you. When you visit the sexologist, he might suggest you to undergoes the various diagnosis tests:
Urine Tests
A urine test is essential to check the odor caused by pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia. An expert can also collect a sample of vaginal fluid for further analysis. It is an effective way to learn about bacterial vaginosis or other vaginal infections.
Rectal Or Vaginal Exam
This exam is used to determine the abnormal vagina odor. It also examines the vaginal tissues and determines the leading cause of the weird smells. The rectal exam is proven to diagnose the rectovaginal fistula.
Imaging Tests
If the above tests can'tcan't help the doctors to diagnose the type of odor in the vagina, they find to perform imaging tests. Various tests like Ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI help clearly depict the vaginal disorder.
How Do I Get Rid Of Vagina Odor?
The vaginal problem can be prevented by taking the appropriate measures. Various prescription-based treatments are proven and make the smell disappear. However, we also focus on sharing the simple and easy ways you can use at home to eliminate this vaginal problem. So, get ready to make a list of proven tips on how to get rid of vagina disorder at home:
Avoid Douching
Douching is the process in which you wash the inner part of the vagina with water and a mixture of other fluids. When you douche your vagina, it imbalances the PH levels and causes various vaginal infections. During the process, bacteria get deeper into the other body parts and cause pelvic inflammatory disease(PIV). If not treated on time, it can create infertility problems among women.
Maintain Proper Hygiene
It is the basic rule of health and can save you from getting sexual infections. You must know that the vagina is a self-cleaning part of the body and doesn't require the products like soap, perfume, powder, or a mixture of fluids. When you are using these products, it creates a higher risk of getting vaginal infections.
To maintain proper hygiene, wash your vagina with water only and avoid using market-based products. In case you have irritation or an itchy feeling in your labia, consult with your sexologist for prescription-based products.
Wear Breathable Inners
To eliminate the vaginal smell, you should also take care of the type of underwear you are wearing. We advise you to wear cotton-based and breathable panties so that the moisture doesn't store and there is proper air-inflow. Also, change your underwear regularly to avoid the vaginal odor.
Do Safe Sex
One of the major causes of vaginal infections or odor is unsafe sex. When the PH level and bacteria of the vagina change, it causes the infections like BV. So, it is essential to use the proper protection during the orgasm. You should also educate yourself about the fundamentals of sexual health. Here are some quick tips on doing safe sex:
- Use condoms or pills during sex.
- Don't undergoes anal to vaginal sex with the same protection.
- Urinate immediately after sex.
- Rinse your vagina with clean water after intercourse.
Bath Regularly
We assume you are the one who bathes regularly. But do you properly wash your vagina every day? Use clean, warm water to wash the vulves of the pubic and outer lips of the vagina. Make sure you do it carefully without letting the water enter the inner side of it. Various disorders can easily prevent by maintaining proper hygiene. Also, avoid using washing products on the vagina.
Some of the other ways to get rid of the vaginal odor are as follows:
- Maintain the healthy diet
- Drink a lot of water
- Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes
- Keep your vagina dry by using a dry cotton cloth.
- Wash your hands properly before touching the vagina
- Use the menstrual cups.
Natural Remedies Options
Apart from following the tips on preventing the vaginal smell, you can also take natural remedies. We recommend you consult with your doctor before start taking any of these.
Probiotics
Probiotic supplements and foods like Yogurt are effective in maintaining the proper PH level of the vagina. It is beneficial in BV, and doctors prescribe this medication. It provides both short and long-term benefits. Some of the food options that contain probiotics are as follows:
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Fermented foods
Apple Cider Vinegar
The apple cider and vinegar mixture contains top-notch anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties that prevent vaginal infections and odor. Taking a bath in apple cider vinegar can help you fighting against the toxins that cause the weird smell.
Use the Garlic
Garlic has antifungal properties that are a proven remedy for vaginal odor. You can add the power of garlic to your meal to get rid of the feminine odor.
When To Seek The Sexologist?
Since vaginal odor is a common problem and everyone has a different scent. Some of the smells go automatically; however, the odor caused by vaginal infection may last longer. As such, you need to consult with a sexologist. Women who have pregnant or suffer from STIs and bacterial vaginosis must take the help of a doctor.
Wrap Up
Vaginas smell different, and their odor changes with time. You might notice the unpleasant smell after sex, during pregnancy, and during mensuration. However, it is also an indication of vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis. There are simple and easy tips on how to get rid of vagina odor at home. Always maintain clean hygiene, wash the vagina with clean water, and do safe sex. Here is how you can eliminate the feminine odor by changing your lifestyle.
We hope the information shared in this post will prove helpful for you. If you want us to share more tips on the vaginal issue, kindly email us at info@healthtipsandguide.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media handles to get updated with the latest tips and guides.