We've noticed that a lot of us women tend to feel a little self-conscious about how our vaginas smell. It makes sense considering there's a whole industry out there built around making your lady parts smell like roses or lavender or some other kind of plantlife. Think feminine washes, scented deoderizing wipes, douches, and even sprays. But the truth is your vagina wasn't made to smell like flowers. It's actually normal for it to have a distinct aroma – not a stinky one, just an odor that is distinct to you. And believe it or not, most men LOVE this smell!
More from MamásLatinas: Vaginal odors you want to watch out for
If you're noticing a funky, fishy smell down there, then you should probably pay a visit to your gyno to make sure there isn't anything medically wrong. But if you're just looking to make it smell (and even taste) better down there, you totally can without relying on crazy products that might actually mess with your vagina's natural pH balance. Here are a few ideas!
Always practice proper hygiene.
The key to having a healthy, somewhat odor-less vagina is to make sure you're keeping things clean down there. Make sure you cleanse regularly with a mild fragrance-free soap. Soap and water, that's really all you need. Nothing fancy, just basic gentle cleanliness for your delicate parts.
You can try mild, mostly made of water wipes.
Doctors normally don't recommend you use feminine washes, douches, or sprays because they can create a pH imbalance in your vagina that can result in an infection along with odor. The best way to wash is with mild soap and water. But if you want to freshen up while you're out or at work (especially during the summertime), carry fragrance-free baby wipes in your purse. There are wipes on the market now that are mostly water, go for something gentle like that.
Go for cotton panties!
If you are using underwear that is made of synthetic fibers, try switching to cotton panties. It's the only material that allows your vagina to breathe. It also helps reduce sweating and moisture buildup that can lead to a funky bacterial infection.
Let the area breathe.
Along with wearing cotton panties to help the area breathe, consider giving tight clothes a break. If you are always wearing tight jeans or pants, your lady bits are always going to be sweaty and gasping for fresh air. Wear a flowy skirt once in a while. Go for some baggy pants on occasion.
Stay away from perfumes.
You can wear a perfume on your body if you like, but do not perfume your vagina. That means staying away from perfumed soaps or products when you are cleaning your vaginal area. Perfumes contain ingredients that can mess with the health of your vagina and cause infections that leave your vagina smelling not so great. Go for fragrance-free products.
Sip on some pineapple juice.
It may be an urban myth, but there are women out there who swear that drinking pineapple juice can make your vagina smell and taste sweeter. If you're a fan of pineapple juice, there's certainly no harm in conducting your own study on whether this works for you or not.
Stay hydrated and eat lots of fruit.
Again, this is one of those anecdotal could be an urban myth kind of thing, but it can't hurt to try. You know that whole "you are what you eat" saying? Well, supposedly, staying hydrated and eating sweet fruits like pineapple, strawberries, and so on will help your vagina smell and taste sweet too. Bring on the fruit salad with a glass of water!
Pee before and after having sex.
Urinating before and after sex is another good way to avoid infections and clean out your system from any harmful bacteria that can cause odors. The reason that peeing after sex is recommended for women is because it literally helps flush out any bacteria that may have been spread to the urethra during sex. Thus preventing that bacteria from reaching the bladder where it can turn into an infection.
Take probiotics regularly.
A smelly vagina usually means there's an infection going on down there. To avoid a yeast infection or bacterial imbalance, try taking probiotic supplements or eating yogurt that contains probiotics daily. This promotes good bacteria and helps prevent and fight bacterial and fungal vaginal infections, which don't feel or smell good.
Do not douche!
You should only every douche if your doctor tells you to and make sure to douche as they instruct you to. Don’t listen to the ads trying to sell you douches that will make your lady parts smell like a meadow or rose garden. Those douches will mess with the delicate balance of good bacteria and can lead to infections.
Ditch wet clothing.
Don’t sit for long periods of time in wet clothing. For example, if you’re wearing a bathing suit that isn’t going to dry anytime soon, get out of it. All that extra moisture helps bacteria and odors grow. Same for sweaty underwear. Put on a fresh pair, if possible.
Wipe the right way.
When you go to the bathroom and it’s time to wipe, you should always wipe from front to back. That way bacteria from your back won’t end up on your front where it can cause infections. You also want to make sure that you do gentle, but thorough job of wiping your vaginal area so you don’t leave anything behind that can lead to the growth of bacteria and odor.
Be careful when using lubricants.
Check the ingredients on any lubricants that you use. You want to make sure that they are water or silicone based and don’t have perfumes in them. Also, remember to clean yourself once you are done using the lube so that it doesn’t stay on you where it can possibly lead to a less than fresh fragrance.
Invest in a bidet.
You can get a toilet or a toilet seat that has a bidet. Basically, a bidet shoots clean water onto your genital area in order to clean you off after using the toilet. Bidets are standard or at least not unusual in many countries, but for some reason in the U.S. they aren’t. It’s a shame because they really help keep your nether regions clean and smelling good. Not to mention they cut down on the amount of toilet paper you need to use.
Talk to your doctor.
If you are concerned about your vaginal odor, talk to your doctor about it. They ae there to help you understand and take care of your body. You should feel no shame in bringing up the subject. They may tell you that what you are smelling is perfectly normal or if it's not, they can help you get to whatever your normal scent should be.
