What Causes Vaginal Odor?

Is it just us or does it seem like all of the sudden there’s a massive explosion of feminine hygiene products aimed at making women’s vaginas smell like flowers? We’ve all seen those ads claiming that feminine wipes and full-body deodorants will change your life. For anyone who needs to hear this right now: a mild, natural scent is completely normal and is actually a sign of a healthy vaginal microbiome. After all, billions of bacteria, yeasts and other microbes live in your vagina, so it’s pretty understandable that they produce their own odors (aka bacterial odorants) as they go about their lives.

Let’s get into some of the more common causes of vaginal odor, when you should get curious about it, and what can help with any abnormal smells, including a vaginal probiotic like Flora-V.

Normal Causes:

Menstrual cycle changes – Due to fluctuations in hormone levels, you may notice that your vaginal odor shifts a bit throughout the month. For instance, some women report a stronger, more musky scent during their luteal phase (especially right before their period) and significantly less odor during their follicular phase. Since blood increases vaginal alkalinity (causing higher pH levels temporarily), you may experience a metallic or slightly foul smell when you’re on your period.

Sexual activity – Semen is alkaline and vaginas are acidic, so unprotected sex can disrupt your pH balance for a period of time. Also, certain lubricants can alter your natural flora, causing odor changes. As long as things return to normal, there is no need to worry but if you notice any new symptoms or your vaginal odor remains off, you’ll definitely want to investigate further with a medical professional.

Working out  – We often forget that we have sweat glands in our groins which produce a much more concentrated, muskier smelling sweat than the rest of our bodies. When this stinky sweat gets trapped in non-breathable workout clothes, you have the perfect recipe for a pungent odor that reallyyyy lingers. 

Pregnancy or being postpartum – As with the menstrual cycle, both pregnancy and the postpartum period are characterized by major hormone shifts. During pregnancy, your vaginal pH changes, you become more aware of scents (hence the nausea from random smells!), and your blood flow to your vagina increases, all of which can alter your vaginal flora for a time. Postpartum mamas often notice that the distinct, musty odor from their vaginal discharge after birth hangs around for several weeks. Not to mention, healing tissues and a big drop in estrogen can cause pretty drastic odor changes. 

Diet – That thing about pineapple and semen? There’s not much scientific evidence to support it. But, it’s pretty widely accepted that consuming a diet high in sugary foods can feed yeast in your body, sometimes causing yeast (or candida) overgrowths and noticeably yeasty, bready or beer-like vaginal odors. Additionally, some studies suggest that a high fat diet and the Standard American Diet can contribute to Bacterial Vaginosis – a condition characterized by a fishy, foul vaginal odor (1). The takeaway here is pretty simple: just try to eat a balanced diet of mostly colorful whole foods and your vagina will love you for it.

Vaginal Imbalances:

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) – This extremely common vaginal infection isn’t caused by one specific bacterium but rather an imbalance in your vaginal microbiome. Typically, this means there’s an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria (like Prevotella spp.) that throw off your vaginal pH and produce their own bacterial odorants which happen to be extremely fishy, strong, and unpleasant. You’ll know it when you smell it! 

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) – Unfortunately, most STIs don’t come with any symptoms, which makes them characteristically hard to detect. However, Trichomoniasis and Chlamydia are two that cause abnormal vaginal odors. Trichomoniasis typically presents as a greenish-yellow discharge and a strong, repulsive smell. Chlamydia might cause white or yellow discharge, vaginal itchiness, pain when you pee, or a foul odor. 

What to Do About Vaginal Odor

• Wear breathable, cotton underwear 
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing
• Change out of your sweaty workout clothes ASAP
• Wash with water and unscented soap routinely
• Keep an eye on your sugar intake to prevent yeast overgrowth
• Drink plenty of water
• Change your tampons or pads frequently 
• Practice safe sex and always pee afterwards 
• Use a vaginal specific probiotic to keep your vaginal microbiome balanced