Your Thoughts?
By: Tommy “Tj” Sotomayor

What Could Be The Causes?

5 Things That Can Change the Way Your Vagina Smells

Musky, earthy, sweet, salty. Even if you aren’t totally comfortable with it, you probably have a pretty good idea of what your usual vaginal odor smells like.

So when you notice it smells differently—the scent is stronger, more bitter, or just, well, funkier—you might get concerned. Luckily, lots of different things can alter your aroma, and not all of them require a visit to your gynecologist or healthcare provider.

How Should a Vagina Smell?

There isn’t really a normal way your vagina should smell. People have their own unique vaginal scent that is a reflection of body chemistry, sweat level, foods eaten regularly, and other factors. The key is to recognize your usual vaginal odor and know what to do (if anything) when the smell changes.

Reasons for Vaginal Odor Changes

There are several factors that can change how the vagina smells. Some don’t require treatment, while others are serious and need treatment right away. Here are five common culprits behind sudden vaginal odor changes.

You Have Your Period

“Having a smell with your period is totally normal,” said Jennifer Landa, MD, an ob-gyn at BodyLogicMD in Orlando, Florida. Considering what’s coming out of you during menstruation, it’s no surprise. “Besides blood, there is also tissue from the uterus, and maybe even bacteria from the uterus that is expelled when you have your period.”

The scent can be more intense on the lighter days of your flow when blood leaves your uterus more slowly and has had time to mix with odor-causing bacteria. So what exactly does a period vagina smell like? Again, it’s different for everyone, but Dr. Landa suggested it may be more metallic or very slightly fishy, thanks to the bacteria.

You Just Had Sex

Post-sex stench goes beyond the potent blend of sweat and vaginal secretions your body produces during sex. Semen has its own distinct odor, which also depends on a person’s body chemistry and other factors. When semen mixes with the normal bacteria in the vagina, “it can cause a sort of tangy smell that is totally normal,” Dr. Landa said.

One type of smell that is often detected after sex isn’t normal: a strong, fishy odor. This is a telltale sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), a type of vaginal infection. If the odor persists and is accompanied by a thin white discharge, pain, and/or itching, check in with your healthcare provider. Two things that are important to note:¹

• 84% of people reported having no symptoms when diagnosed with BV
• People who have not had sex can still get BV

Bacterial vaginosis is usually treated with antibiotics.

 How Vaginas Can Get Loose

You’re Eating Different Foods

Just as some foods can alter the smell of your breath, they may also change the scent of your vagina. Onions are a common culprit, along with garlic, asparagus, curry, and red meat, Dr. Landa said. Although there isn’t strong evidence, it’s believed that substances in these foods affect your vaginal secretions as well as the smell of your sweat and urine, so the new smell can be pretty noticeable. It’ll go away once your body fully metabolizes what you ate, Dr. Landa explained.

While there’s no solid science here, anecdotal evidence supports the idea that eating pineapple can make the vagina smell in a good way, perhaps by making it a little sweeter.

You Picked up an STI

Sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can trigger a foul, unpleasant odor, which Dr. Landa described as like “pus from a wound,” though not all people will experience this. Other symptoms of these STIs include:

• Pain during urination
• A green-to-yellow discharge

But again, these sneaky infections often have no signs or symptoms. If you suspect one, however, call your healthcare provider, who can test you and treat it with antibiotics.

Another STI that triggers a foul or fishy odor is trichomoniasis, which is caused by a parasite. Trich doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it’s actually the most common curable STI.² Other symptoms of trichomoniasis include itching and pain while peeing. Antibiotics can get rid of it and get your vagina smelling back to normal.

You Have a Yeast Infection

A yeast infection, also called vaginal candidiasis, is a common condition that is more likely to occur in people who:³

• Are pregnant
• Take hormonal contraceptives
• Have diabetes
• Have a weakened immune system
• Have recently taken antibiotics

The usual tip-off to a yeast infection is itching and irritation at the opening of your vagina, and/or a thick, cheese-curd kind of discharge. But sometimes it’s a bread-like odor that clues you in, Dr. Landa said. See your OB-GYN or healthcare provider for a diagnosis and prescription medication to cure it, or try an over-the-counter yeast-infection treatment available at the drugstore.

When To Contact Your Healthcare Provider

If you notice a change in your usual vaginal odor that lasts for several days or you develop symptoms like an unusual discharge, pain, itching, redness, or irritation, contact your healthcare provider who can do tests, and provide guidance and treatment as needed.

A Quick Review

A change in vaginal odor can happen because of changes in food choices, getting your period, or having sex. Those causes don’t require treatment, but others—like STIs and yeast infections—need to be treated in order for them to go away. If you’ve noticed a change in the scent of your vagina and are unsure whether it needs treating, it’s always safest to contact your healthcare provider.