Simple Ways to Help Your Vagina Smell Good
1. Wear Loose Clothing and Cotton Underwear
Tight-fitting clothes can restrict airflow, and thus cause moisture to buildup. On the other hand, loose clothing and cotton underwear increase airflow to your groin and prevent moisture in this area. It’s also important to change your underwear every 12 hours as it’ll prevent additional bacteria growth.
2. Change Your Clothes After Exercising
Sweating can also contribute to a vaginal odor, so changing your sweaty clothes after a workout is highly recommended. For even better effects, wash your groin, then dry the area, before putting on fresh clothes.
3. Lose Weight If Necessary
You may not see a direct link, but extra weight can cause extra sweating, including in the vaginal area. This extra moisture creates favorable conditions for bacteria to grow, thus causing vaginal odor. Sweating can be effectively controlled by choosing a healthy lifestyle of clean eating and regular exercise.
4. Avoid the Douche!
Douching removes healthy bacteria in the vagina needed to prevent infection. Also, commercial douche products are laden with chemicals that can further aggravate the issue.
5. Don’t Fall for the Feminine Sprays
Feminine sprays are also full of chemicals that cause irritation and even an allergic reaction because our bodies aren’t able to break down the chemicals that come through the skin. When absorbed through the skin, these chemicals travel into the bloodstream. As the vagina is made to cleanse itself naturally, interfering with the process can do more harm than good.
6. Avoid Certain Foods
A number of foods affect the pH balance of the body increasing inflammation and bacterial growth. For instance, sugary foods are especially beneficial for candida proliferation because yeast thrives in a sugary environment. To prevent vaginal odors and infections avoid sugar, alcohol, and wheat products. You should also stay away from processed and sugar-rich foods. On the other hand, you should eat lots of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
Vaginal Odor Causes
Some of the possible causes of vaginal odor include:
1. Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis or an overgrowth of normally occurring vaginal bacteria is the most common cause of vaginal odor. It’s very common and affects around 30% of women who are in their reproductive years. Bacterial vaginosis has been linked to miscarriage, preterm birth, as well as the increased risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections. A “fishy” odor is one of the most prominent indicators of bacterial vaginosis. Although the exact causes of this condition are still unknown, studies link it to certain activities, such as unprotected sexual intercourse or frequent douching.
2. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that also accounts for vaginal odor. Actually, it’s the most common non-viral STD in the world. It’s caused by a parasite and leads to a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful urination. Trichomoniasis is also found in men, but they typically have no symptoms.
Trichomoniasis can put pregnant women at a higher risk of premature delivery.
- Hormonal Changes
Vaginal secretions during menstruation and between ovulation and your next period may have a more unpleasant odor than during other parts of the cycle, according to the University of California at Berkeley. Menopause can also be a risk factor for vaginal odor because of reduced estrogen levels, which cause the vaginal tissue to thin and become less acidic.
- Poor Hygiene and Sweating
As mentioned above, sweating is commonly linked to vaginal odor. The reason for this is because the external genitals have special glands called apocrine sweat glands, which are also found in the armpits, nipples, ear canals, eyelids and wings of your nostrils. These glands secrete an oily fluid that’s metabolized by bacteria on your skin, thus producing a noticeable smell.
Wearing tight clothing or being overweight can only worsen the problem by trapping sweat and bacteria on the skin or in skin folds.
5. Retained or Forgotten Tampon
This is more or less poor hygiene and as unbelievable as it may sound, this problem is more common that you think. Regular and proper hygiene, especially throughout the period is essential for preventing the buildup of menstrual blood and bacteria that can lead to irritation, itching and a strong, unpleasant-smelling discharge.
- Was It Something I Ate?
It’s true that some foods can lead to vaginal odor and these include pepper, garlic, onion, blue cheese, cabbage, asparagus, fish and broccoli tend to have the most impact. You can easily control this by cutting out these foods from your diet.
Vaginal Odor Risks
Take caution when using any essential oils or other of the recommended methods for the first time, especially if you’re pregnant, breast-feeding or taking medications.
Very rarely, abnormal vaginal odor can be the result of rectovaginal fistula – an abnormal opening between the rectum and vagina that may allow feces to leak into the vagina. If you suspect having rectovaginal fistula, cervical cancer or vaginal cancer, seek medical attention immediately. Have also in mind that vaginal odor can also indicate cervical or vaginal cancer.
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