Pregnancy is an exciting and frightening thing at the same time. Your mind and body go through several changes, and your vagina is no different. Expecting women often wonder about the unusual vaginal odor. This can be due to lifestyle factors, supplement use, and dehydration.
If you are pregnant for the first time and experiencing such changes in your body, you might feel a little weird. But don’t panic and get familiar with the basic details about the unusual vaginal odor during pregnancy and some useful tips to reduce it. Scroll down to know more.
What Causes Vaginal Odor During Pregnancy?
Even though it can be unpleasant, unusual vaginal odor during pregnancy is quite normal. Around 65% of women report that they have experienced vaginal odor throughout their pregnancies. So, what causes unusual smells during pregnancy? Is it serious or normal? Continue scrolling the page and find the key reasons behind the vaginal odor.
1. Hormones
The first and most obvious reason behind the vaginal odor during pregnancy is the shift of hormones. Your body goes through massive physical changes during pregnancy, and all that triggers strong odor. During pregnancy, your body releases more estrogen than usual, which also makes you sensitive to smell.
2. Dietary Preferences
What a person eats and drinks during pregnancy can affect the vaginal odor. Pregnant women may experience unusual odors due to their dietary preferences. Spicy foods, fish, garlic, onion, broccoli, and dairy products may cause unpleasant smells during pregnancy.
3. Dehydration
If you notice the strong ammonia-like smell in the urine during pregnancy, you may be dehydrated. In most cases, an unusual ammonia-like smell is caused by changes in urine. So, it’s best to drink plenty of water to get rid of vaginal odor. Moreover, adding fluids is important to your diet during pregnancy as your body has been working for two now. Try to drink at least two liars of water per day.
4. Yeast Infection
Don’t be surprised, as your body isn’t immune to infections just because you are pregnant. Expecting ladies are more at risk for yeast infection as they have more sugar in their vaginal secretion on which yeast can feed, creating an imbalance and overgrowth of the bad bacteria.
5. Bacterial Infection
Another possible reason behind the vaginal odor during pregnancy is the bacterial infection. It is caused by an imbalance of bacteria living in your vagina. Women struggling with BV might experience a fish-like smell, which is more apparent after sex. If you notice that unpleasant fishy odor during pregnancy, wait no further and seek immediate help from the healthcare provider.
How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor During Pregnancy?
Now that you’ve got the basics, it’s time to move forward and find out the simple tips and tricks to reduce the unpleasant vaginal smell. Remember that less is more when it comes to cleaning yourself. So, maintain proper hygiene and follow the useful tips below to get rid of the unusual scent.
1. Use Cotton Underwear
Pregnant ladies must be very cautious when it comes to maintaining their intimate hygiene. Ditch your satin panties and thongs for a while, and switch to cotton underwear to keep the bacterial infection away. Unlike silk and satin, cotton never traps moisture, thus keeping your vagina healthy. It creates a dry, breathable environment and does not give an appropriate environment for bacteria to grow.
2. Clean your vagina regularly
While your vagina has a self-cleaning mechanism, you must clean it gently using warm water and vaginal washes like VG Wash. It comprises herbal extracts and thus produces no side effects. Moreover, this product will help you maintain the pH level of your vagina, thus keeping bad bacteria away.
Never use scented products when cleaning your vagina, as they worsen the condition and may lead to a pH imbalance.
3. Consume healthy diet
Another simple method to reduce vaginal odor is to consume a healthy diet. A well-balanced diet will help keep your vaginal healthy. Eating too much sugar may lead to yeast infection. So, ensure you are getting plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Also, add fluid to your diet and stay hydrated.
Summing Up
A female’s vagina produces the usual smell throughout the menstrual cycle. However, you might experience unusual smells when you are pregnant. In most cases, there’s no concern regarding the vaginal smell, but you should seek medical assistance in case the vaginal odor is followed by itching or a burning sensation.
FAQs
1. Does change in pH level cause bad vaginal odor?Yes. The acidic pH causes bacterial infection, thus causing the unpleasant vaginal smell.
2. Should I use scented sprays to keep vaginal smell away?No, you shouldn’t. Avoid using scented products when cleaning your vagina, they only make the condition worst. Rather, opt for vaginal washes comprised herbal and natural extracts.
