How can I make my vagina taste good?

Dear Reader,  

You’re not alone in feeling confused about your vulva’s taste. Even though cultural messaging has led many to feel insecure about their natural bodily processes, vulva’s aren’t supposed to taste like fruit or flowers. It’s possible that your partner might have some misconceptions about what a “normal” body tastes like. 

Understanding the natural tastes and smells of your vulva and vagina may help you to feel more confident. Read on to learn why your vulva might taste the way it does, when odor or taste could be cause for concern, and how self-care habits can influence your vulvar taste!  

What causes the vulva to taste a certain way?  

Many factors can influence why you taste a certain way. Your vulva’s taste may be a sign that your body is doing its job to keep you healthy. The vulva and the internal vaginal canal’s microbiome are made up of good microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). These good microorganisms kill harmful microorganisms and keep the growth of yeast under control. They also keep infections and diseases at bay. Think of it like a tiny army inside of you, which thrives in a slightly acidic environment. So, if your vagina and vulva taste a little acidic or metallic, that may be a sign that everything’s in balance. 

The make-up of the vulva and the vagina’s microbiome fluctuates throughout your menstrual cycle and at different phases of your life. This is why your taste, or odor might change slightly from time to time. Blood left over from your period might make your vulva taste more metallic, while the white discharge that comes with ovulation may also impact taste.  

How your vulva tastes can also be impacted by sweat. Since the vulva is often damp and nestled under clothing, it captures sweat more than other areas of the body. So, if you’re sweating from exercise or hot weather, your vulva might taste more salty or sour. 

Can your hygiene habits influence how your vulva tastes?   

The short answer: maybe. There isn’t any scientific evidence confirming you can change your vulva’s taste. However, taking care of your body by regularly bathing and drinking enough water can positively influence your overall health which may impact your vulvar health. 

Washing your vulva with water and gentle soap can help get rid of bacteria or buildup of what’s known as smegma. To wash your vulva, spread your labia apart and use a washcloth or hands to clean around the folds, being careful not to get soap into the vaginal canal. The vaginal canal is self-cleaning and anything inserted into it to “clean” might cause infection. 

Are hygiene products all they’re hyped up to be? 

There are loads of products out there that claim to help “clean” the vagina and reduce odor. These products are often marketed to make people feel self-conscious about completely normal and healthy bodily functions. They often reinforce cultural messages that bodies traditionally considered “feminine” are unclean and problematic. Some of these products, like douches, can also be harmful to your vaginal health. Your health care provider likely told you not to douche because it can disrupt the vagina’s fragile microbiome. This can lead to an overgrowth of organisms linked to infections like bacterial vaginosis or make you more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia. Although research on other hygiene products  is limited, there’s some indication that vaginal washes, gels, sprays, and wipes may also cause infections. 

Can diet and lifestyle influence vulvar taste?  

Anything that affects your body or urinary odor can also influence the scent and taste of your vulva. For example, smoking tobacco increases sweating and alters the smell of your perspiration, which can impact how your vulva tastes. Similarly, heavy alcohol consumption can change your sweat composition, often making it more bitter or sour. Dehydration also plays a role—when you're not well-hydrated, your sweat becomes more concentrated, potentially leading to a stronger vulvar odor. 

When it comes to diet, some find that eating asparagus makes their vulva taste “grassier” or “greener.” Similarly, curries or other heavily spiced foods can also influence the scent of sweat on your vulva. However, the list of foods that impact vulvar taste is pretty limited, so dietary changes likely won’t have too much impact on your taste.  

When might vulvar taste or odor be cause for concern? 

For the most part, the taste of your vulva is likely normal and healthy. However, a strong, unpleasant scent could indicate a potential infection. This is because certain conditions, like bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, can cause an intense “fishy” odor. Additionally, if you notice a drastic change of color or consistency of vaginal discharge, that might indicate a disruption to your pH balance. If this is the case, you may want to consult a medical provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment if necessary.  

What can you do if you or your partner are concerned about your vagina or vulva’s taste?  

If you feel like your partner’s comments about your body’s taste are making you embarrassed or ashamed, it might be beneficial to talk to them about your feelings around how they speak about your body. You might find it helpful to plan out what you want to say in advance, including what you’ve learned about vulvar odor and, if you feel comfortable, the feedback you got from the health care provider.  

Openly communicating with your partner may bring about positive changes. However, if your partner continues to make negative comments or makes you feel ashamed about your body even after speaking to them, it may be beneficial to evaluate whether this is a deeper issue. It might be helpful to consider whether you feel supported and secure in your relationship more broadly.  

Best of luck going forward!