What can I do about vaginal odor?

Dear Stinky and Reader 2, 

Genital odor can be an issue for everyone, so don’t worry too much about stinking up the joint. There are many factors that could be contributing to your personal scent. Your microbiome which is influenced by your metabolism, what you eat and drink, and your environment, can impact your odor. If your microbiome is imbalanced or you have a separate condition such as bacterial vaginosis, you can start smelling different and even rather pungent. To get to the bottom of this issue, it’s probably best for you to raise a stink with a health care provider, but for some preliminary information, read on! 

Having a vaginal scent is normal and not usually considered a problem. Sort of like a snowflake or fingerprint, your scent is unique to you! That means there's no single or consistent way that your scent should smell. Your scent might change over the month, becoming stronger or milder at times. This scent change can be influenced by where you are in your menstrual cycle. For example, your vaginal area might smell like copper pennies while you’re on your period. Additionally, you might start smelling different if your vaginal pH changes slightly, which is more common than you might think! An example of this is, if your vagina is slightly more acidic, which is often a sign of the presence of good vaginal bacteria, you might smell a bit yeasty. 

That said, if you start smelling abnormally smelly out of the blue, there might be cause for concern. Some reasons this abrupt smell may be occurring include: 

• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). A fishy smell might indicate bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is caused by bacterial imbalance  
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI). An STI like trichomoniasis, which is caused by a parasite, can cause a foul-smelling odor from the discharge produced by the infection.  
• Sweat. If you’ve been a bit stressed out, your sweat glands might make you smell a tad skunky. Excessive sweating creates an environment that allows bacteria to multiply, which could be the root of your odor woes.  

While you’ve already discovered that applying cornstarch can temporarily control moisture and odor, there are some other home remedies you may choose to try! These include: 

• Bathing regularly using a mild, unscented soap.  
• Trimming your pubic hair (which can trap sweat and bacteria).  
• Wearing loose, cotton clothing so your vulva area can breathe.  
• Wearing condoms during sex to reduce the risk of contracting an STI. 

In some instances, antiperspirants may also be recommended to help control sweating and odor. However, it’s best to avoid applying them directly to your vulvar region. Many of the parts in this area can become easily irritated by antiperspirant, or any harsh cosmetic.  

While you may be uncomfortable with your genital odor, it’s also possible that there’s no actual underlying medical condition. Instead, a psychological condition called Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) may be at play. This is a condition in which the patient thinks they have a body odor, though there’s no identifiable cause. This can cause severe distress and shame, especially since there's no possible medical intervention.  

All this said, scheduling a visit with a health care provider to receive a physical exam may help determine what, if anything, may be the cause of the smell. They can suggest or prescribe treatment if necessary. If, after working with your health care provider, you find that there’s no other medical explanation for your smell, you might consider the possibility of having ORS. 

Whatever the reason you’re feeling like a smelly pants, here’s to finding some relief soon. 

Best of luck,