Vaginal Odor: 35 Secrets to Make Your Vagina Smell Good & Taste Even Better

Is there a nasty sniff down below? Don’t worry! You can learn how to get rid of vaginal odor, and make your pussy smell good and taste even better!

Vaginas, we’ve got a smelly beef to pick with you *Mental note: smell, beef, and vagina should never be in the same sentence together. Ever*. But, if you’re reading this and wondering how to get rid of vaginal odor or how to make your vagina smell good, you’ve come to the right place.

That’s right, today we’re talking about how to make your vagina smell good—and whether you should even be concerned about how things are smelling in your nether regions.

Clit size, droopy or uneven lips, labia color, tightness, pubic hair, and of course, smell. Anything is fair game when it comes to worrying about what we’ve got going on down there. 

Especially for those practicing oral sex with a partner, the smell and taste of a vagina can be of huge concern. [Read: Perfect pretty pussy – 22 ways to make your vagina more beautiful]

What is vaginal odor?

Contrary to what many people might think or want, having some type of vaginal odor is perfectly normal and natural. Regardless of the actual scent, vaginas are anything but scent-free.

So, there’s no need to panic if your vagina doesn’t smell like flowers. Because that would not be normal – they are not meant to smell that way.

With that said, if you have noticed a change in the way your vagina smells and it goes on for long enough, you might want to talk to your doctor about it. [Read: Pussy selfie – 16 tips to take a good vagina selfie on the first try]

What does a vagina smell like? 

It’s not easy to describe exactly what a healthy vagina smells like because every woman is different. However, some words that have been used to describe it are earthy, slightly sour, ripe, or even pungent.

The only way to know what is good or bad is for each individual woman to know her own “normal” scent. 

That way, if there is a strange or new smell that suddenly appears, then she will know something has changed – and probably not for the better. [Read: Types of vaginas that make up all the vaginas in the world]

The vagina is particularly sensitive to different changes in the daily environment, so anything that affects its delicate balance will also affect smell, in addition to the type of discharge and its consistency.

But remember, the vagina is self-cleaning and you certainly don’t need to go around adding artificial scents to try and make it smell better!

What is considered a “bad” vaginal smell?

This question might be a little easier to answer than the previous one. That’s because everyone knows when they smell something bad, right? 

Here are some scents that might indicate a problem. [Read: How to get rid of vaginal odor – 16 ways to beat the sniff test]

1. Skunky or “body odor” smell

There are actually sweat glands in the vagina, so that’s why it might start smelling like body odor, and/or a little bit skunky. This can happen if a woman is stressed or anxious because the apocrine glands produce a milky fluid. 

Although this fluid is odorless, when it comes into contact with the vaginal bacteria on the vulva, it can produce this pungent aroma.

2. Fishy smell *dead fish*

This is a pretty common smell that most people are familiar with. But we’re not talking about the freshly baked fish. Instead, we’re talking about more of a decomposing fish smell. [Read: Peeing after sex and other confusing myths about the vagina]

That’s because trimethylamine is a chemical compound that is responsible for both rotting fish and abnormal vaginal odors.

This smell may be indicative of bacterial vaginosis, so if this smell has you concerned, it may be worth a trip to your doctor.

3. Rotting or decaying smell

A rotten smell makes you want to plug your nose and run away. So, it’s definitely not normal if you smell this coming from down there. 

If the smell is putrid, like a dead organism, it might not be your vagina itself but something that is stuck in it, such as an old tampon. [Read: A girl’s ultimate survival guide to period woes]

Believe it or not, a lot of women forget about them and accidentally leave them until they start rotting.

4. A sweet, bleach, or beer-like smell

If you smell something vaguely reminiscent of beer, it could mean that you have the beginnings of a yeast infection, particularly if associated with itching and a change in discharge.

But don’t worry; a yeast infection is very easy to treat with over-the-counter creams and pills. A yeast infection can also smell overly sweet or a little like bleach. [Read: STDs 101 – The most common types and their symptoms]

5. Musky

A musky smell may not sound immediately bad, but we’re talking about a really musky scent. In that case, it could be down to old sweat or not changing clothing enough.

6. Metallic scent

A metallic odor doesn’t sound good, right? Well, it’s usually nothing to be overly concerned about and is normally experienced right before or just after a period. The metallic scent comes from menstrual blood.

The risks of ignoring vaginal odor

Vaginal odor is rarely anything to worry about as long as it’s not particularly nasty and a change from your usual scent. That’s why it’s important for women to know what is normal for them, so they can go and see their doctor when there is a change.

However, in some cases, vaginal odor, when combined with other symptoms such as a change in discharge or an itching or burning sensation, can be a sign of something that needs treatment, such as an infection, or perhaps a tampon that you forgot to remove. [Read: Dry down there all of a sudden? The fastest ways to go from parched to wet]

Causes of vaginal odor

Now that you know that some vaginal odors are normal while others are not, what are some of the causes? Here are some of the major ones:

1. Sweating

Women have a high concentration of apocrine sweat glands around the outside of the vagina on the labia majora.

The sweat from the apocrine glands contains protein. Bacteria break down this protein, producing a distinct odor. Excess sweat in the genital area may also cause itching and can sometimes lead to infections such as bacterial vaginosis and vaginal yeast infections.

2. Poor hygiene 

The vagina is designed to take care of itself with a healthy balance of bacteria. This helps prevent infections and keeps away irritation. [Read: How to increase sex appeal and 31 secrets of subtle sexual provocation]

However, if you don’t wash your private parts and change your underwear daily, you might end up having a funky smell down there.

Poor hygiene may cause bacteria to grow in an unbalanced way, which will increase the chances of infections and bad smells.

3. Bacterial vaginosis 

Bacterial vaginosis is a common cause of bad vaginal smells. This infection is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina or an imbalance in the vaginal flora. [Read: Real pussy power – how to strengthen your vaginal muscles]

The first sign of bacterial vaginosis is usually a fishy odor which might progress to a grey, frothy, or greenish vaginal fluid. The vagina might also feel swollen or scratchy.

In this case, antibiotics are needed to treat the infection and sort out the pH balance to maintain healthy levels of vaginal yeast and bacteria.

4. Diet

Did you know that what you eat can affect how your vagina smells? It’s true! Eating a lot of dairy and meat, and drinking excessive alcohol can cause the vagina to smell sour and particularly strong.

Changing your diet should rectify this if that is the cause of your funky smell. [Read: What does a vagina feel like? 35 pussy facts and descriptions from men]

5. A forgotten or stuck tampon

You might think that you’ll always remember to remove a tampon, but sometimes even those with the best memory can forget.

Sometimes tampons can get stuck too. If that’s the case, you’ll need to see your doctor to get the offending item removed.

A stuck or forgotten tampon can cause a very nasty smell in the vagina, usually akin to a rotting scent.

6. Douching

The vagina is self-cleaning, which means it doesn’t need any help from douching. If you do this, you run the risk of upsetting the careful pH balance of your vagina, which could lead to yeast infections and a rather nasty smell down below in general.

Instead, just wash your vagina with water only and change your underwear daily. That’s really all you need to do. [Read: Problems ‘down there’ that you shouldn’t ignore]

7. Leaking pee

If you have a problem with leaking pee, it’s certainly going to make your vagina smell a little ‘off’ over time.

Your doctor can help you work out why this is a problem for you and give you Kegel exercises and treatment options to minimize or cut it out entirely.

How to get prevent and get rid of vaginal odor

Put down the phone! Don’t cancel your dinner date tonight with that guy you really like. Instead, look at the following remedies and get rid of that smell as soon as possible.

Of course, prevention is better than cure, so let’s also look at a few prevention methods too! [Read: The 5 types of vaginas that make up all the vaginas in the world]

1. Know your normal scent

The first thing is to know what your vagina usually smells like naturally. In that case, you’ll know when something has changed and what to do about it.

You may find that your vagina smells slightly differently at various stages of your menstrual cycle. Again, this is normal and it’s just a case of knowing what is regular for you.

2. Find out the cause

It’s important to figure out where your vaginal odor is from. Just because your vagina smells a little sour, doesn’t mean you have something serious. It could be caused by your menstrual cycle, sweat, or hormonal changes.

Nevertheless, there could be more serious reasons for vaginal odor such as yeast infections, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, STIs, or overall poor hygiene. If your vaginal odor isn’t going away after a few days, that’s when you should be taking it seriously. [Read: Smelly body parts that can ruin great sex]

3. Look for other symptoms

The human body is a magnificent thing. If you’re not sure if your vaginal odor is caused by a medical problem, look for other symptoms: itchiness around the vagina, redness, and a fishy smell. These are usually accompanied by abnormal vaginal odor.

Sometimes the odor can be caused by laundry detergent on your underwear or perfume products you’ve been using. Pay attention to the little things.

4. Stay hydrated

If your body dehydrates, it’s unable to flush out the toxins in your body. Drink eight to ten glasses of water a day to make sure your body is properly hydrated. Sometimes, vaginal odor can be caused by excess sugar in the body and water helps remove sugar.

Basically, it keeps you balanced. [Read: How to take care of yourself as a woman]

5. Keep up with hygiene

Maybe your vaginal odor is strong because you just need a shower. It can be that simple. If it’s hot outside and you’re feeling too lazy to shower, think about your vagina. In high temperatures, your vagina is basically a petri dish for bacteria to hang out in.

So, the best way to maintain good vaginal health is to make sure it’s clean. You don’t need any fancy shower gels or perfumes, just soap and water. [Read: Pretty pussy essentials: Tips to make it purr with delight]

6. Tea tree oil

Okay, tea tree oil smells incredibly strong. However, this is the gem of all gems. Tea tree oil is an anti-fungal and antibacterial, so if you’re looking for a great remedy, this is one of them.

Pour two teaspoons into a glass of water. Now, soak a tampon in the mixture and place it into your vagina. Keep it in there for a couple of minutes. If you’re going to shower, do this an hour before. Repeat this for a week.

7. Garlic

Combat a smelly vagina with smelly garlic. Not many people know the power of garlic, but let us tell you, it works. And that’s because garlic is a great anti-bacterial.

Make fresh garlic paste by crushing a couple of cloves. Then apply the paste to your vaginal walls. Keep it on your vaginal walls for about 10 minutes and then have a bath to wash it off. [Read: Why does sex hurt? 15 quick signs something’s not right]

8. Apple cider vinegar

Not only does apple cider vinegar work for salads, but you can also use it for your vagina. Now you’ll never look at salads the same way!

You want to run a bath with half a cup of apple cider vinegar mixed in. Sit for 10-15 minutes. Apple cider vinegar helps balance the vagina’s pH levels, which helps to eliminate the odor.

9. Fenugreek

Now, you probably haven’t heard of fenugreek. It’s okay, the important thing is now you know. All you do is take two teaspoons of Fenugreek seeds and put them in a glass of water. Leave it to soak overnight.

In the morning, strain the seeds and then drink the water. You want to do this every day for two weeks. It eliminates vaginal odor and also regulates your hormones – killing two birds with one stone. [Read: Sex 101: How to prepare for sex the right way]

10. Yogurt

One of the tastier remedies, we must say. If you love yogurt, then you’ll love this one. Yogurt helps control pH levels in the vagina which helps control odor.

You can eat the yogurt and you can also soak a tampon in yogurt and then insert it, keeping it in your vagina for five minutes and then rinsing. Do this for a week.

11. Citrus fruits

You need to keep up with your citrus food intake; this means eating plenty of lemons, oranges, grapefruits, or pineapples.

They’re all high in vitamin C, which helps to strengthen your immune system, helping to fight vaginal odor.

12. Vagisil

While you’re doing some of these home remedies, use vaginal odor products to help reduce the smell in the meantime. Products like Vagisil help absorb moisture and reduce odor.

Now, this doesn’t solve the problem, but it gives temporary relief while the yogurt or the fenugreek does its thing. [Read: Sexy ways to make him go down on you without a push]

13. Know what foods to avoid

If you’re suffering from vaginal odors, then do not go and eat foods that will only make it worse. But, what foods are bad, you ask?

Well, stay away from blue cheese, onion, cabbage, broccoli, and anything spicy. It’s been shown these foods enhance vaginal scents.

So, while you’re getting rid of your vaginal odor, leave these foods out of your diet. Oh, and stay away from fish and meat. They don’t help either. [Read: Peeing after sex and other confusing myths about the vagina]

14. Lavender oil

Not only will this essential oil calm you, but it helps get rid of your vaginal odor as well. Lavender actually helps with bacterial vaginosis since it’s an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory.

Take a glass of water, one tablespoon of witch hazel, and ten drops of lavender oil. Mix it all together. Use this mixture as a vaginal wash when showering. Use this daily for a couple of weeks and you’ll notice a difference.

15. Turmeric

Turmeric is an amazing spice for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Use it in tablet form, or we recommend taking a teaspoon of it and mixing it into a glass of milk.

Drink it before you go to bed, and it’ll do the rest of the work for you.

16. Avoid sex

If you’re having an issue with vaginal odor at the moment and aren’t sure why, don’t have sex. It’s best to give your vagina a break. Wait a week, let your vagina heal, and then you get back on the horse. [Read: What does a vagina actually taste like? People tell it like it is]

17. Wear cotton undies

If your vagina is prone to smells, it might be time to start changing up your underwear. Women with sensitive vaginas should stick to 100% cotton undies. 

Not only does cotton allow the vagina to “breathe,” as it were, but it also allows moisture to travel and helps prevent potential yeast infections. 

This will also keep your vajayjay from smelling due to sweat after a workout, or a long, hot day in the sun.

18. Shave, trim, or take it all off

One way you can avoid an unwelcome smell is by taking it off! And by that, we mean your pubic hairs. 

Sweat and odors can attach themselves to your pubic hair and make the scent and taste of things much worse. If you’ve found that new soap and underwear are no help, then consider shaving, or trimming your hair down there! [Read: At-home bikini waxing tips and tricks for beginners]

19. Add probiotics to your diet

There is some suggestion that adding some probiotics to your diet may help to keep the pH balance down there in check. What are probiotics? Basically, live bacteria. 

Yes, we know, it sounds bad, but this is the good type of bacteria that fights the bad. So, you need to start chowing down on natural yogurt, sauerkraut, natural buttermilk, kombucha, kimchi, and anything fermented, such as pickles. [Read: Body trends – plastic surgery for your genitals?]

20. Tight clothes might look sexy, but your vagina doesn’t like them

Tight clothes aren’t going to help you out here. All they do is trap sweat in places you really don’t want to trap sweat and that just makes everything smellier than it needs to be.

Your vajayjay needs to breathe! We’re not suggesting you rock long, flowing clothing all the time, but make sure you mix it up and as we said before, stick to cotton underwear if at all possible. 

21. Wash before and after sex

Sorry to break up the flow of your passionate embrace but if you want to keep your vagina happy, it’s a good idea to wash it with water before sex and after. [Read: Post-sex rules and rituals everyone has to follow]

This helps to keep the bacterial levels as they should be. It’s even more important to do this if you’re using lubes, condoms, or toys. 

22. Stop washing inside your vagina

Despite the fact that it seems like douching or using scrubs would be effective for a better-smelling vagina, they are not. In fact, they can lead to certain health problems. 

Regular vaginal douching can cause changes to the delicate chemical balance of the vagina. And this can make a woman more susceptible to infection. [Read: How to make yourself squirt and experience your first squirting orgasm]

Know when to see a doctor

If you’ve tried the remedies we listed above and nothing seems to be working, you may need antibiotics, depending on what is causing it. Give it a week, and if it gets worse then go to your doctor. They’ll be able to diagnose you and give you something stronger to treat the underlying problem. [Read: What to expect at your first gynecologist appointment]

But how is vaginal odor diagnosed? The most common ways are:

1. Urine test

2. Urinalysis

3. Ultrasound

4. CT scan

5. MRI

However, in most cases, it’s simply about telling your doctor what’s going on and they’ll probably go down the simplest route first. If that doesn’t help, then you may need further tests to work out what the real problem is.

Don’t be embarrassed about going to see your doctor with vaginal odor; you certainly won’t be the first and definitely won’t be the last!

[Read: Kegel exercises – Why both men and women should do it]

Sometimes, we have smelly vaginas. It happens. If you want to know how to make your vagina smell good, all you need to do is learn how to get rid of bad vaginal odor by using these tips. You’ll be brand new in no time.