Vaginal odor is common among women. This lady part has a microbiome filled with different bacteria and yeast, giving your vagina its signature scent. This smell changes in response to multiple situations, including menstruation, sex, pregnancy, etc.
However, sometimes your lady bit smells different and is more fishy than usual. The cause can be as innocuous as sweat or more serious as an infection. So, if you are struggling with the pungent vaginal odor, it’s worth taking a deeper whiff, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms like itching or discharge. Wait no more and keep scrolling to find underlying causes and potential remedies to get rid of this smelly vaginal aroma.
Causes of Vaginal Odor
All vaginas produce mild odors, and that’s completely normal. However, the problem arises when the mild odor turns to a strong unfamiliar smell, especially one that continues for several days.
Temporary vaginal odors, related to hormonal changes or diet, are common and often resolve on their own. However, a musty, fishy aroma that doesn’t go away might be a sign of an underlying condition that requires immediate attention.
Here’s a quick rundown of the major causes leading to abnormal vaginal odors.
1. Sweat
The vagina and the around it has sweat-secreting glands that might produce a strong odor right after a workout. However, such vaginal odors are temporary and can go away if you change your sweaty clothes.
2. Diet
Unsurprisingly, your diet affects every single part of the body, and the vagina is no exception. It might produce an unpleasant odor if you consume foods like garlic, asparagus, or onion in excess.
3. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Various types of bacteria live in your vagina. These bacteria exist in a delicate balance in your vagina at the right pH level. However, an imbalance in your vaginal bacterial levels or an overgrowth of normally occurring vaginal bacteria can lead to infection, called vaginosis, and leads to a fishy smell.
4. Poor intimate hygiene
It’s no wonder that poor hygiene is one of the major causes of vaginal odors. A sweaty groin area, retained tampon, or lack of personal care can definitely produce this embarrassing smell while affecting your vaginal’s well-being.
The Best Remedies to Keep Vaginal Odors At Bay
If you are concerned about the abnormal vaginal smell and want to get rid of it, determine the cause and address it immediately. Below we have listed some easy yet effective remedies that may help keep fishy, musty smell at a distance.
1. Practice Good Intimate Hygiene
Maintaining good hygiene is the key to avoiding foul scents down there while keeping your lady part clean. Shower regularly and only use paraben-free intimate washes, like Vg-Wash, to clean your vulva. This intimate hygiene formula contains Aloe Vera and Tulsi and helps maintain the pH level of your vagina.
Always wear a clean outfit soon after working out and avoid sitting in hot, sweaty clothes or damp swimsuits. Never use perfumed soaps and deodorants, and wash the exterior folds of the vagina gently.
2. Never wash inside your vagina
Although cleaning the exterior of your vagina is often recommended, you should not start going inside with water, washcloth, soap, or anything. Vagina has a self-cleaning mechanism that keeps the natural balance of bacteria inside the vaginal canal intact. Washing inside the vagina is not unnecessary but also downright dangerous.
Anything put inside the vaginal canal can upset the natural bacterial balance, leading to infections and foul smells. Hence, clean the exterior folds of your lady parts and let its self-cleaning mechanism do the rest.
3. Eat a Balanced Diet
Since our food affects every part of our body, including the vagina, it’s often advised to consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to keep the abnormal vaginal odors at bay.
Some strong-smelling foods, like onion, asparagus, and garlic, can result in a fishy vaginal scent; hence they should be avoided. So, if you’ve been eating many of these foods, cut them out immediately and bring your vagina to its natural scent.
4. Stay hydrated
If you are experiencing a strong ammonia smell down there, it means you are not hydrated enough. Without enough water, the waste material in your urine can become especially concentrated and foul-smelling. Drinking plenty of water will encourage healthy sweating and fluid release, thus keeping your vagina’s overall health in check.
5. Use antibiotics
While there are no prescription medications to treat just vaginal odor, you can refer to antibiotics to handle bacterial infections that might be causing the foul smell. However, do not take any of these antibiotics on your own and consult the healthcare provider for a prescription.
Summing Up
Unpleasant vaginal odors can be a signal that there might be a health issue at play; hence, the problem should be addressed as soon as possible. So, if you are struggling with the strong pungent smell down there and want to get rid of it, follow the aforementioned instructions and keep vaginal odors at arm’s length.
