Despite the macho comments and bad jokes about the genital odor of women, vaginal odor, under normal circumstances, is not unpleasant. However, the secrecy that often surrounds issues related to female sexuality only adds to the confusion about what is normal and what is not. It is convenient to observe the vaginal discharge because it presents changes throughout the different stages of our life and to ask our gynecologist any questions we have. Only then can we know if we are facing a serious health problem.

Causes of bad vaginal odor

  • They say that a healthy vagina smells similar to lactic acid in yogurt, due to the lactobacilli that protect the vaginal flora from infection. But the truth is that each woman, of each different age, smells different, what's more, throughout the menstrual cycle our vaginal odor changes and is sometimes perceived with more intensity. And that the smell is more intense does not mean that it is unpleasant.
  • Because when an unpleasant odor appears in the intimate area, it is advisable to go to the gynecologist since it is synonymous with something not working well. Bad vaginal odor occurs in most cases due to an infection or incorrect intimate hygiene, either due to excess or lack of cleanliness. But the bad smell can also be caused by wearing clothes that are too tight, or wet clothes, especially swimsuits on the beach, or synthetic underwear.
  • And there are two other causes that produce a bad smell in the vagina that are hardly mentioned, but that are important. One is trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease that, in addition to irritation, causes a very intense and unpleasant vaginal odor. The other cause is the semen itself, which can sometimes alter the intimate pH, damaging the vaginal flora.
  • In addition, there are other diseases that can also cause this bad smell in the intimate area. This is the case of bacterial vaginosis, an inflammatory process of the vaginal mucosa that alters the flora and is accompanied by an increase in discharge, leucorrhea, pruritus or itching, and a penetrating vaginal odor. One of the most common symptoms to detect this pathology is through pain and irritation that is generated during sexual intercourse.
  • Bad vaginal odor can also be a warning sign that we are starting to develop cervical cancer. If this unpleasant odor is accompanied by other symptoms such as bleeding and abnormal vaginal discharge, you should immediately go to the gynecologist before it is too late.
  • On the other hand, tampons and pads can also cause a foul odor in the vulva. Although both products are designed with the idea of ​​making life easier for women during menstruation, we must not forget that we must change them every four or six hours at most if we want to avoid not only bad vaginal odor, but also the proliferation of bacteria.
  • According to a study from the University of Cuenca, poor nutrition is another cause of bad vaginal odor because some foods treated with hormones or excessively sugary products can cause a change in vaginal pH, causing secretions that make the female sex give off a strong and somewhat repulsive odor.

How to avoid bad vaginal odor

  • The measures to prevent the appearance of bad vaginal odor are the basic ones that any woman should take. It is always advisable to wear cotton underwear and avoid wearing very tight pants or stockings as much as possible, because they do not allow the intimate area to breathe. For the same reason, it is preferable to sleep in a nightgown and without underwear than in pajamas.
  • Intimate hygiene is a fundamental factor when it comes to controlling vaginal odor. A lack of hygiene can be just as damaging   as its excess, and that is something that not all women take into account. Some go too far in cleaning the vaginal area, thus leaving it unprotected against bacteria. It is always better to wash the intimate area only with water and without soap, although if you are going to use soap, it should be a mild one or specific for that delicate area (neutral pH intimate gels are advisable). And we will not get tired of noticing that the vagina has its own hygiene system, so vaginal showers are completely unnecessary. 
  • In any case, these are only basic preventive measures, but if an unpleasant odor appears in the intimate area, the main recommendation is to go immediately to the gynecologist to determine the cause of the bad smell and indicate the appropriate treatment.

Home remedies to get rid of bad vaginal odor

  • Bad vaginal odor is a problem suffered by women since ancient times. For this reason, there are some home remedies to end it that have been transmitted from generation to generation, from mothers to daughters, until they reach us.
  • Precisely, one of the best-known natural remedies consists of the use of yogurt. This product helps to balance the pH thus avoiding vaginal infections. You can try introducing a natural unsweetened yogurt into the vagina through a tampon. Then rinse well with lukewarm water.
  • Another widely used remedy to eliminate the bad smell in the intimate parts is to drink water mixed with bicarbonate(it also helps to keep the pH regulated). Also consuming foods rich in vitamins and minerals is a good solution to avoid infections and stimulate the immune system.
  • Tea tree oil is widely used to treat bad odors because it is a powerful antibacterial. You will need to mix a glass of water along with three drops of this oil and wash your vaginal area with this mixture.
  • Cider vinegar is another component that has excellent antibacterial properties. You can apply it in fifteen-minute baths with a dose of one glass for every ten liters approximately.

How bad vaginal odor affects sexual intercourse

  • There is no doubt that the bad smell in the vagina negatively affects sexual relations with a partner. The woman loses self-esteem in the face of this problem, becomes obsessed, ashamed and reluctant to have sex.
  • A woman with bad vaginal odor who does not face the problem with maturity and determination may end up suffering trauma and creating complexes that generate insecurity. Given this, it is best to speak directly with the couple. There is nothing better than communication and trust in these cases.
  • First of all you have to be clear that it is surely a temporary problem and as soon as you detect the causes or go to the gynecologist, it will end up being solved.