How to get rid of vaginal odour
Urinate immediately after sexual intercourse
Whether you call it Pink pearl, Cookie, Puannie, Vjj, Flower, Jackpot, Red velvet, Foofie, Fanny or the centre between female legs, you still need to keep it clean.
The odour that comes from down under is a leading concern for young and old females and just like the mouth, the skin, and other areas of the body, has a unique fragrance.
Diet, health, and other factors can affect the natural fragrance, which should still not smell foul. It’s neither safe nor healthy to attempt to eliminate the vagina’s scent. In fact, doing so can lead to infections that cause an unpleasant odour.
Below are tips that can help reduce vaginal odour.
1. Hygiene
Showering after exercise to remove sweat and using fragrance-free soap on just the vulva may help to reduce vaginal odour.
Safe, gentle vaginal hygiene practices can reduce vaginal odour. Some strategies include:
– Wiping front to back: This prevents faecal matter from getting into the vagina.
– Urinating immediately after sex.
– Using a gentle, fragrance-free soap on the vulva only. Inserting soap into the vagina can alter vaginal pH, causing infections and a foul odour. Various fragrance-free products can be purchased online.
–Changing underwear daily, or when underwear is sweaty or soiled.
– Washing underwear in unscented products.
– Showering after sweating or exercise as trapped sweat can increase vaginal odour.
– Washing the vulva with water if there is an unpleasant odour. Between showers, women can use a washcloth to gently wipe down the area, removing sweat and other sources of odour.
2. Menstrual products
Some women notice a stronger vaginal smell when they get their periods; some women smell an iron-like metallic odor, and others smell ammonia.
Some menstrual products trap odour, compounding this effect. To reduce odour:
Try wearing internal products. The moisture of maxi-pads and reusable cloth pads can contribute to odour. Sitting on a wet pad can also cause an infection. Internal menstrual products, including menstrual cups, can be purchased online.
Change menstrual products frequently.
3. How sex affects vaginal odour
Some women notice a strong fishy odor immediately after sexual intercourse, which is a telltale sign of bacterial vaginosis. Others notice a less distinct smell. Sometimes interactions between semen and vaginal fluids can cause vaginal odour. Some lubricants can also change vaginal pH and the odour that comes with it. To reduce the odour associated with vaginal intercourse:
– Use a condom to prevent semen from coming into contact with vaginal fluids.
– Compare different condom brands and products to choose the most suitable one before purchasing.
– Rinse the vagina and vulva with plain water following intercourse. Do not douche. – Avoid using scented or flavoured lubricants.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics support healthy bacteria throughout the body, including in the vagina. Probiotics may help prevent some vaginal infections, especially yeast infections. Compare different products before purchasing.
By controlling infections, probiotics can reduce causes of vaginal odor. Because probiotics help restore the vagina’s normal pH, they also help reduce vaginal odor.
5. Clothing
Clothing can trap things in or around the vagina, for example:
– sweat
– dead skin
– discharge
– leaked semen from earlier intercourse
– other sources of odour
Very tight-fitting clothing is a common culprit. That includes some shape wear. Faecal matter that travels to the vagina can cause infections and odours, so avoid clothing that encourages this spread. This includes tight-fitting thong underwear.
Breathable cotton is the best choice for women concerned about vaginal odour. Cotton is less likely to hold moisture close to the vagina. This makes it more difficult for bacteria and other sources of odour to accumulate and produce a strong smell. Cotton underwear can be purchased online.
6. Diet
Very sugary foods can trigger an overgrowth of yeast, altering the odour of the vagina.
Staying hydrated may help to ensure sweat does not smell bad. It may also prevent bacterial overgrowth.
There’s some evidence that other strong-smelling foods might also change the vagina’s smell. Onions, coffee, and other strong-smelling foods can alter the smell of the vagina by changing the smell of sweat and other bodily fluids.
There’s little scientific research supporting the use of any specific food to change the smell of the vagina. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that some sweet-smelling foods, such as watermelon, apple, and celery, might help.
It’s also important to drink plenty of water. Remaining well-hydrated prevents bacterial overgrowth. It can also prevent sweat from smelling bad, resulting in less pronounced vaginal odour.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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