Vaginal odor is one of the warning signs of bad health. To find the right vaginal odor remedy, learn about common odors you may be experiencing. Let’s find out how to get rid of vaginal odor at home in this article!
Just like other areas of the body, the vagina also has a special scent. Diet, health conditions, and many other factors can affect the natural scent of the vagina. When you find your vagina has a bad odor, you should immediately find a way to treat vaginal odor to avoid other health risks.
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Why does the vagina have a bad smell?
Women are often very self-conscious about their vaginal odor. When the vagina or girl has an odor, they may feel shy or embarrassed about it. However, it is completely normal to have a mild vaginal odor. Research shows that this smell is due to the influence of pheromones and that this substance can increase sexual attractiveness as well as reflect fertility in each person.
The scent in the intimate area will change with the increase and decrease of hormones during pregnancy, menopause, or the menstrual cycle. However, if your vagina has a different taste like the ones below, you need to see your doctor right away to find out the cause:
The vaginal area has a fishy smell
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. Harmful bacteria can grow out of control and create a fishy odor that makes the vagina smell bad. Women with this condition often experience symptoms such as itching or burning like a yeast infection. However, don’t worry as the use of prescription antibiotics will help with this problem.
Some healthy habits will also help you avoid the risk of vaginal infections and limit vaginal odor:
– Proper hygiene of the intimate area: You should avoid douching too deeply into the vagina because this will upset the natural pH balance of the vagina.
– Fragrance products should not be used in or around the vagina. Fragrance and scented hygiene products will change the chemistry and cause bacterial vaginosis.
– Choose safe sex: You should not have sex with too many people and should also use safe sex methods. Although bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted, it does breed more bacteria.
The vaginal area smells sweet or smells like beer
An overgrowth of yeast in the vagina can produce a sweet odor, similar to that of honey or cookies. In addition, an overgrowth of yeast can also cause the vagina to smell like beer, flour, or bread. Sometimes, you will also have a slightly sour smell in the intimate area, accompanied by a burning, itchy, and dry sensation. In addition, the vagina also has a cheese-like discharge.
You can treat this foul-smelling vaginal infection with over-the-counter medications, but it’s still a good idea to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Besides not cleaning the intimate area too deeply, you need to note a few things below:
Keep the intimate area dry: A humid environment will create favorable conditions for yeast to thrive. Thoroughly dry the intimate area after bathing and avoid wearing wet swimsuits or underwear for too long.
Use antibiotics only when needed: In some women, taking antibiotics kills beneficial bacteria, allowing vaginal yeast to thrive.
Avoid oral sex: You should avoid oral sex with people who have oral thrush.
Hormonal changes during menopause change the scent of the vagina and make it smelly or dry. Some sexually transmitted diseases, such as trichomoniasis, can also change the vaginal odor. It is best to see a doctor if there is any change in the scent of the vagina, absolutely do not use perfume to cover the smell.
Any woman is at risk of experiencing vaginal odor. However, especially for women who are pregnant or maintain poor intimate hygiene, regularly douching will have a high risk of causing an abnormal odor in the private area.
In addition, when having an unhealthy sex life mode, the private area often has an unpleasant odor.
Effective ways to treat vaginal odor at home
How to get rid of bad odor or how do you treat vaginal odor? Here are safe and effective home remedies for the vaginal odor that you can refer to and apply:
How to cure vaginal odor with hygiene habits
Vagina has a bad smell what to do or what is a simple way to treat vaginal odor? The answer is that you should maintain the habit of keeping the intimate area clean, especially when the body sweats a lot due to the weather or after exercising. Besides, you can use unscented soap to get rid of vaginal odor. Please clean the intimate area gently according to the instructions below:
- Urinate right after sex
- Wash your underwear with an unscented detergent
- Shower immediately after sweating or exercising
- Use only mild, unscented soaps on the vulva
- Change your underwear often, especially when you sweat a lot
- Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina
- Do not let soap get into the vagina as it can change the pH, cause infection and odor
- Use a towel to gently wipe the intimate area to remove sweat and other odors
How to get rid of vaginal odor during menstruation
Some women notice a stronger vaginal odor during their period, most commonly a metallic smell like iron or ammonia. Therefore, you need to pay more attention to the care of the private area, and properly apply deodorant to avoid bad smells on menstrual days.
Moisture from regular tampons or reusable tampons can create favorable conditions for bacteria to grow and cause odors. In this case, you can use a menstrual cup, menstrual disc, or tampon instead as a way to treat vaginal odor. Do not forget to change hygiene products regularly to limit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and vaginal odor.
How to treat the vaginal odor with the right clothes
The vaginal area smells bad what to do? Wearing the right clothes is also one of the home remedies for the vaginal odor that you should apply.
Underwear, especially underpants with the desired shaping effect is one of the main factors affecting the smell of the intimate area. Underwear containing sweat, dead skin cells, semen left over from previous sex, or other sources of odor can contribute to vaginal odor.
Why does the girl smell bad? Tight clothing is also a common culprit of vaginal odor. This type of garment can carry residual fecal matter into the vagina, causing infection and odor. Choose underwear with breathable cotton material to eliminate vaginal odor. Cotton is less able to hold moisture for a long time, thereby limiting bacteria accumulation and causing odors.
How to get rid of vaginal odor at home with probiotics
Probiotics support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the body, including those in the vagina. Take a probiotic supplement to prevent some vaginal infections, especially yeast infections in the vagina, thereby finding effective ways to treat vaginal odor.
Probiotics help control the cause of vaginal odor effectively because they work to restore the normal pH of the intimate area, thereby limiting odor. If you intend to take a probiotic supplement, carefully choose trusted manufacturers.
How to cure vaginal odor with safe sex
A vaginal odor after sex or a foul-smelling discharge after sex can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. In addition, contact between semen and vaginal fluid can cause vaginal odor. Certain lubricants can also alter the pH of the vagina.
Limit vaginal odor with safe sex measures such as:
- Avoid using scented lubricants
- Clean the intimate area gently with clean water after sex
- Use a condom to prevent semen from coming into contact with the vagina (consider different brands and products of condoms to choose the most suitable one before buying)
How to cure vaginal odor with nutrition
Foods high in sugar can trigger yeast overgrowth, which changes vaginal odor. Not only that, but some other foods also change the smell of the vagina, such as onions, garlic, coffee, alcohol, and pineapple (pineapple).
Currently, there is still not much scientific research on the effects of foods that can change the vaginal odor. However, some foods that will help you in limiting vaginal odor are watermelon, apples, and celery.
The habit of drinking plenty of water is also important because staying hydrated will help prevent bacterial overgrowth. Water also helps you avoid unpleasant sweat odors, limit vaginal odor, and protect your overall health.
There are many reasons why the intimate area has a bad odor that makes you lose confidence and significantly affects sexual activity. You should soon find a way to treat vaginal odor at home or see a doctor to no longer worry about this difficult problem.
Final thought
With proper care and hygiene, you can get rid of vaginal odor effectively, make sure you follow the instructions above to keep your vagina clean and healthy.
Top News hopes this article can help you learn more about how to get rid of vaginal odor at home and wishes you all the best!
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