Ever wondered “Why does my vagina smell?” Youre not alone. Vaginal odors are totally normal. vaginas smell. All vaginas have some kind of scent down, and no matter what soap commercials tell you, it shouldnt be a light floral one.
According to research published in the New York Times, people with vaginas “are most frequently concerned that their vaginas smell like fish followed by vinegar, onions, ammonia, garlic, cheese, body odor, urine, bread, bleach, feces, sweat, metal, feet, garbage and rotten meat. “.
There is no single way a healthy vagina should smell. “Every woman has her own scent and its a totally normal part of who she is. “Only you can really smell your own natural scent, and it’s not likely that anyone else can either,” says Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Vice President for External Medical Affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Many people would describe their healthy vaginal odor as being musky, and despite comparisons to gardens and flowers, vaginas will never smell like a bed of roses. That said, vaginal odors outside your typical smell can be a sign that somethings amiss.
There are a few factors that can lead to changes in vaginal odor: infections or STIs, exercising and sweating, hormone levels during your menstrual cycle, and more. When should you see a doctor? Dr. Cullins says, “an unpleasantly smelly odor can be a sign of an infection that needs to be treated right away, especially if its accompanied by an unusual discharge. ” Your body is smart. When your vagina is trying to tell you something, dont ignore it.
Read on to learn more about seven types of vaginal odors that you should be aware of, from Dr. Cullins and Dr. Debora Nucatolah, Senior Director of Medical Services, at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. (And if youre experiencing any acne down there, heres how to treat vaginal pimples. ).
Having your vagina smell like chicken noodle soup can be very confusing and concerning. This unusual scent is not very common but understanding the potential causes can help provide clarity and relief.
What Causes A Chicken Noodle Soup Scent?
There are a few possible explanations for this peculiar odor
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Diet – Eating a lot of salty, seasoned, or spicy foods containing ingredients like garlic, onion, celery, and spices found in chicken noodle soup can lead to a similar scent in vaginal secretions. These foods can change the vaginal pH balance.
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Bacterial Vaginosis – While bacterial vaginosis (BV) is more known for a fishy odor, it can sometimes cause an ammonia-like smell reminiscent of chicken noodle soup. An overgrowth of bad bacteria like Prevotella bivia produces ammonia compounds.
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Yeast Infection – Yeast infections from the overgrowth of Candida fungi can potentially emit a yeasty, bread-like smell resembling chicken noodle soup. However, this is less common.
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Normal Secretions – The unique combination of bacteria and fluids in the vagina can simply produce an odor you perceive as chicken noodle soup. Every woman has her own scent profile down there.
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Sweat – Sweat mixing with vaginal discharge and skin bacteria might create a meaty smell much like chicken soup. This is especially true after exercise or wearing tight clothes.
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Semen – Semen can temporarily change the vaginal pH after sex, allowing certain bacteria to grow and produce a chicken noodle-esque odor. The sulfury scent of sweat may also be more noticeable.
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Hygiene Products—Douches, scented soaps, menstrual pads, and even lubricants can irritate the vagina and throw off the balance, which can cause an unpleasant smell.
When To See A Doctor
You should see a doctor if the chicken noodle soup smell is accompanied by other symptoms like itching, burning, unusual discharge, pain, or anything that concerns you. While typically harmless on its own, it could indicate an infection needing treatment. Get tested for STIs and conditions like BV.
Tips To Prevent Chicken Noodle Smell
- Wear breathable cotton underwear
- Avoid excessive washing and scented products
- Don’t use douches or panty liners
- Change out of damp clothes after exercise
- Eat a balanced diet
- Take probiotics
- Practice safe sex habits
- Get regular STI testing
What’s Normal?
It’s important to remember every vagina has a distinct scent that shifts throughout the menstrual cycle. If you notice a new smell, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. However, a persistent, foul, or fishy odor warrants seeing a doctor. Monitor smells and discharge closely. Know what’s normal for your body. Don’t hesitate to get checked out – vaginal health is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Your Vagina Smells Like Onions or Garlic
Possible cause: Natural Body Odor
“If youve eaten a lot of onions or garlic, you can excrete an onion or garlic smell in your urine, and your vaginal discharge may change temporarily in smell, as well,” explains Dr. Nucatolah says. “Within 24 to 48 hours of eating these pungent foods, your discharge, vagina, and urine should return to their normal smell. The urethra, which goes from the bladder to outside the vulva, the vaginal opening, and the anus are all separate openings in people who have vaginas. However, they are all close to each other. It’s possible that your urine, feces, or anus is the source of the smell. Your vulva or vagina may smell like something else. The best thing to do is to wash with soap and water, and then try to decide where the smell is actually coming from. “.
Treatment: Take a shower or bath and youll say bye-bye to the B.O. smell.
A Fishy Vagina Smell
Possible Cause: Bacterial Vaginosis
“There are many different kinds of bacteria growing in your vagina,” explains Dr. Cullins. “These bacteria are completely normal and keep the vagina healthy. However, bacterial vaginosis (BV for short) is caused by an imbalance of different kinds of vaginal bacteria. Sometimes BV has no symptoms at all; other times, symptoms may include a thick, frothy discharge thats usually white or grey, a strong fishy odor (especially after sex or washing with soap), and itching. “.
Treatment: Your gynecologist can prescribe antibiotics to restore your vaginas pH balance. For now, stay away from douches and scented products, like tampons, because they can throw off the pH balance in your vagina.
What Your Pee Smells Tell You About Your Health #shorts
FAQ
What causes unpleasant vaginal odor?
An imbalance in your vaginal bacterial levels can lead to infection and inflammation, a condition called vaginitis. Most types of vaginitis that cause bad vaginal smells also cause other symptoms, such as an abnormal vaginal discharge. The most common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor are:
Does garlic affect vaginal odor?
Onions, garlic, and other strong-smelling foods can potentially impact the smell of your sweat — which also has an impact on vaginal odor that can last a day or two.
What does a strong vaginal odor mean?
A strong vaginal odor may be a sign of vaginitis, or it may be a temporary smell related to your hygiene, lifestyle or other changes. Take note of whether you have other symptoms. If the smell is caused by an infection, you’ll probably also notice other changes, like itching, burning, and discharge in the vaginal area.
Why does my vagina have a tangy odor?
The vaginal PH in a person of reproductive age is slightly acidic, which means it’s natural for it to have a tangy odor. However, a healthy vagina can have a variety of odors. This video file cannot be played. (Error Code: 102630) Your vagina is home to billions of bacteria.
Why does my vagina smell fishy?
You’re not alone if you’ve smelled a fishy odor emanating from your vagina. “That’s the most common thing people report,” Dr. Sophocles says. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), which smells like fish, can happen when there are too many of one type of bacteria in the vagina. Katz says.
Is vaginal odor bad?
Vaginal odor is, for the most part, a normal experience and it isn’t necessarily bad — nor is it always a sign of a serious health concern, even if you can smell yourself through your pants. There are many common vaginal odors you may be concerned about right now; click on any to learn more about what causes it — and what to do:
Why does down there smell like chicken soup?
A sulfury, chicken-like odor is also linked to sweat’s interaction with skin bacteria. This may be more noticeable after sex because you’ve just got hot and sweaty.
Why do I smell like chicken broth down there?
People with lupus often notice unusual urine smells like chicken broth, ammonia, or fruity odors. Your urine’s smell can indicate important health concerns, as lupus nephritis affects nearly half of adults with lupus and can damage the kidneys’ ability to filter waste properly.
What should a healthy vagina smell like?
Why does my body odor smell like vegetable soup?
Your favorite nutritional veggies and sides may also be causing some unexpected odor. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower release sulfuric acid. This scent is intensified by sweat, breath or gas.