Having a vaginal odor is a nuisance especially if you are in a relationship. It might be bearable if you do not have a partner, but it is an embarrassment if you have. An excreted odor down there that does not smell is natural, because it is a way of the private organ to protect itself from harmful sources.
However, if the odor is foul-smelling, then there is something serious going on that you need to treat as early as possible. A foul-smelling odor is a sign of a bacterial infection, or worse, a disease.
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Causes of Vaginal Odor
Bacteria are present in the female reproductive tract, and it does not cause any problems at all. They are called friendly bacteria because they protect the feminine organ from harmful ones. Vaginal smell that does not go with other symptoms is normal.
It occurs right after having sex or during a menstrual cycle. Sweating can also cause smelly vagina. You may tempt to douche or use a product to reduce the odor, but these ways can worsen or irritate the private organ. Thus, it leads to a serious, fishy smell. Proper hygiene is likely the treatment for this abnormal condition. Washing it with plain water could be the solution.
However, when vaginal odor is accompanied by other symptoms, this may have underlying causes. Bacterial vaginosis, an over-proliferation of normal vaginal bacteria, is a common condition that causes the funky odor. Another condition that causes it is the trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease.
Keep in mind that there are other conditions that do not have smelly odor. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and yeast infections do not cause stinky vagina. Yet, abnormal discharge is present. Hence, always see a doctor if you think you have foul-smelling down there associated with other symptoms.
But if you do not have a substantial amount of money to see a doctor or you are just not into seeing a gynecologist because you are shy, you can do some ways on how to get rid of vaginal odor.
15 Remedies to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor
If you are on a tight budget and cannot afford to see a doctor yet, you can follow the remedies below to get rid of vaginal odor.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
ACD is a natural antibacterial or antiseptic to kill bacteria and restore the natural flora of the vagina. Make sure that you choose the organic one since it does not integrate with other ingredients. It helps combat the bacteria and eliminate toxins that cause the vaginal smell.
Bathe yourself with ACD: Pour 2 cups of apple cider vinegar into lukewarm water in a bath tub and wait for 20 minutes before you soak yourself in. Do this remedy several times a week. Or, you can drink a glass of warm water with two tablespoons of ACD daily to get effective results.
2. Garlic
Garlic contains anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that can eliminate bad bacteria in the body. It is a good source to fight against yeast infection and other related vaginal infections.
Chew garlic cloves or place some into your private part: Eating garlic is the easiest way to fight vaginal infection. Chew garlic clove in cooked or raw on a daily basis. Eat it on an empty stomach and then drink a glass of warm water. Or, you can add a garlic paste or garlic cloves into your meal. Another way is to put a garlic clove into your vagina for two hours and it will then eliminate the odor. Do this for few times a week.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil also has antiseptic or antibacterial properties that can kill the bacteria and get rid of the unpleasant odor. A 100% tea tree essential oil is recommended to use on this case.
Tea tree oil as a feminine wash: In clean water, drop two or three tea tree essential oils. Use it as a feminine wash. Do this regimen daily or multiple times a day. Or, you can dip a clean tampon into the oil and place it into your vagina for an hour so it has enough time to kill the bacteria. Do this several times per week.
4. Yogurt
Yogurt has live microorganisms that are known to be friendly bacteria. It fights the harmful bacteria in the body and eliminates them through bowel movement or urination. It contains lactobacillus that helps fight vaginal infection, such as candidiasis. And, candidiasis is also one of the common causes of foul-smelling feminine private part. Imbalanced pH level can cause vaginal smell. It can restore the natural pH level of it and once it is restored, the odor will be diminished.
Eat yogurt on a daily basis: Simply eat yogurt every day or take probiotic supplement. As long as it has live microorganisms or lactobacillus, you can consume it to prevent feminine odor. Or, you can use a tampon to dip into the yogurt and place it into your private part. Leave it for an hour or two and rinse it well after taking off the tampon.
5. White Vinegar
Aside from apple cider vinegar, you can also try white vinegar. It counterbalances the odors by segregating odor proteins, which will then decimate bacteria that causes the smell. Like yogurt, white vinegar also restores the normal pH level of the vagina.
Soak your body in water mixed with white vinegar: Pour one-half cup of salt and one-half cup of white vinegar into a bath tub with lukewarm water. Wait for a few minutes until the mixture is dissolved. You can now bathe yourself in the tub and relax for a while. Do this regimen multiple times a week.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda has a substance that can help restore the normal pH level of the feminine organ. When the pH level is balanced, the odor will be eliminated as well. And it can effectively treat yeast infection.
Cool yourself down in bathwater mixed with baking soda: Pour one-half cup of the baking soda into the bathwater. Get into the water and stay for about 20 minutes. Then dry yourself with a clean towel. Do this whenever you can.
7. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt contains antibacterial and astringent properties that effectively treat odor caused by bacterial vaginosis. Epsom salt is common to use when taking a bath. It helps kill the odor slowly but surely. Mixing it with hot water, it can relieve any vaginal irritations and treat infections.
Use sitz bath with Epsom salt: Besides taking a bath with Epsom salt, you can also use a sitz bath. Fill it with warm water and mix it with a tablespoon of the salt. Soak your feminine private part in the water for 10 minutes. To see effective results, do this regimen at least twice a week.
8. Guava Leaves
Guava leaves have long been an alternative medicine for treating vaginal infections. In Asian countries, some people still use the leaves as they have antiseptic properties to kill germs and bacteria in the body. The leaves are soaked in hot boiling water. When the water feels warm, it can be used as a body wash.
Guava leaves for vaginal wash: Guava leaves have microbial properties and they can eliminate unwanted odor and infection. Prepare some guava leaves and boil them in a liter of water. Wait until the water evaporates. Cool it down for a few minutes to room temperature. Then, strain it first to get rid of the leaves and then use the water for rinsing your vagina. Do this twice a day.
9. ALUM (aluminum sulfate)
Alum or aluminum sulfate has been used for centuries already to use as an after-shave disinfectant, to purify water and to pickle food materials. What’s more, it is used to treat feminine odor. It contains antimicrobial properties that can fight against bacterial vaginosis.
Alum stick and alum powders for cleaning the vagina: Alum in powder and stick forms are available in pharmacies, groceries, and health food stores. Get a tablespoon of alum powder and mix it into a glass of water. Wait until it dissolves and use it as a feminine wash. Or, you can mix one-fourth tablespoon of the powder into a glass of water and drink it twice daily.
As for alum stick, get one and soak it in warm water. Rub the stick onto the vulva or the external part of the vagina, and then rinse it off. Do this regimen twice daily for maximum effect.
10. Boric Acid
Boric acid has the same effect as the apple cider vinegar. It normalizes the pH level of the vagina and eliminates the odor. Boric is available in all leading drugstores.
Using boric acid to insert into the feminine private part: Make sure you have boric acid and gelatin capsules (size “00”) beforehand. Once you have prepared all these, you can fill the capsules with the boric acid. Store the capsules into an air-tight container. To treat vaginal smell, simply insert one capsule into your private part before you go to bed. Do not forget to rinse it off the next morning. To achieve maximum effect, do this regimen every other day.
11. Liquid Chlorophyll
Liquid chlorophyll is a natural internal deodorizer suitable for treating feminine odor. It is available in any local drugstores and can be bought at a usual dosage at 15 ml (1 tablespoon). This does have minor adverse effects when taking it. Your feces and urine may have different color as well as your tongue.
Drink liquid chlorophyll: The recommended dose is 15 ml (1 tablespoon). Mix it with an 8 ounce of glass water and take it twice daily. Remember that it has adverse effects but only minor.
12. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil has a pleasant aroma and it does leave your skin smell great all the time. The oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can effectively abolish bacteria causing foul-smell. It also treats other symptoms accompanied by the odor, such as irritation or itchiness.
Use lavender oil as a vaginal wash: Get a glass of water and a tablespoon of witch hazel. Mix them together and add 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Stir the mixture thoroughly unit it dissolves completely. Afterwards, use the concoction as a vaginal wash. Repeat this procedure daily to cure bacterial vaginosis.
13. Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular ingredient or seasoning all over the world. But did you know that it can also be used to treat foul-smelling vagina? Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds to effectively treat any vaginal infections and ward off odor for good.
Make it a habit to drink warm milk with turmeric daily: Add a tablespoon of turmeric into a glass of warm milk and mix it thoroughly. Drink it every night before you go to bed.
14. Fenugreek Seeds
The main objective of the seeds is to regulate the menstrual cycle of women. That is why many females take fenugreek seeds daily. Another benefit is that the seeds can also normalize pH balance and then deodorize the unpleasant odor.
Make fenugreek seeds as your daily drink or tea: Pour 2 tablespoons of seeds into a glass of water and leave it overnight. It is said that if the seeds are steeped in the water, they can provide effective results in treating vaginal odor. Strain the seeds and drink the water on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning as you get up. Do this procedure for two weeks.
15. Wear Cotton Underwear
Are you wearing a convenient underwear fabric? If no, it can be the cause of the vaginal smell. Polyester, silk, and other fabrics can cause irritation and odor. It is recommended to wear 100% cotton underwear because it has the ability to ventilate the vaginal area, making it breathable. Make sure to choose a cotton fabric so your private part will be able to “breathe”.
How To Make Your Vagina Smell Good
Most probably you are not doing the proper hygiene, and that is why you acquire foul-smelling odor. Do not use any strong products to clean your private area, such as a feminine wash or soap. These cause irritations and abnormal hormonal balance. They also destroy the bacterial flora guarding the area.
It is better if you use mild soap or only water to rinse the vagina. As you clean it off with any chemical-based product, you will kill the good bacteria and allow the bad ones to inhabit the reproductive organ.
Also, make sure you are eating right. Unhealthy foods can trigger unwanted odor. Consuming citrus fruits can wash off bad bacteria in the reproductive organ as they contain vitamin C. Also, be hydrated and keep drinking lots of water every day so it will flush out all the bacteria inside your body.
Keep away from caffeinated or sugary foods and drinks as these can cause yeast infection. Also, avoid foods rich in carbohydrates, such as bread and beer.
Conclusion
Who wouldn’t want to feel confident by smelling great all the time? Especially when you have a partner, it is important to be clean and to smell great so your relationship will run smoothly. If you have a funky smell down there, you wouldn’t want to hook up.
This would eventually lead to split up. A vagina that does not smell is an indicative that a woman is healthy. You can achieve this by following healthy lifestyle and eat proper foods. Or, you can do the remedies above to prevent getting odor.