A slight, subtle odor from the vagina is completely normal – you don’t need to worry about it at all. And even if the smell sometimes changes slightly, there is no reason to panic. This is related to fluctuations in the hormonal balance.
These factors influence intimate smell
The smell of the vagina can depend on many factors – including stress, diet or exercise. If your lifestyle changes, it can also affect your intimate area.
This negatively affects the smell of the vagina
Cigarettes and alcohol can negatively affect the smell of the vagina.
Diet also plays a very important role. What causes bad breath can also affect the smell of the vagina. These include, for example, spices such as garlic, but also foods such as curry, asparagus or red meat. Pineapple, blueberries or kiwi, on the other hand, act like perfume for the intimate area.
Medications can also cause the vagina to smell unpleasant. Antibiotics eliminate not only the bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria that are needed for the vaginal flora.
Therefore, you should under no circumstances avoid taking medication if it has been prescribed by a doctor. It’s best to consult your doctor if the smell becomes too extreme.
Be careful with intimate hygiene
Intimate hygiene is important, but you shouldn’t overdo it either. The reason? Vaginal douches with lots of fragrances can change the pH value of the vagina – and this can create a bad smell because bacteria then find it easier to multiply.