Did you know, vaginas have a signature scent?
This is because the vaginal scent is affected by many factors. All the basic things a body does play a part in what the vagina smells like. External factors, for example when arousal fluid released by the vagina mixes with sperm, may also affect the scent.
Smell
From a young age, we hear gross words used to (inaccurately, we might add) describe the vagina. Whether it’s a careless joke at school or a nasty comment on social media, words like smelly and dirty are used to make people feel ashamed of their vagina.
So when should you be worried about how a vagina smells? If a specific one isn’t yours, and you’re not sexually engaged with it, it’s none of your business. For the rest of the time, the following should help:
What can a vagina smell like?
... musky, sharp and sweet, with a tinge of iron in the days before and after I bleed.
-V, 28
... if I do say so myself, my vag smells really good. In an odd pungent, botanical kind of way.
-N, 25
... A healthy happy vag right after exercise smells like heaven. I can literally bury my nose in my knickers for it (and no, I’ve never told anyone that before).
-K, 38
A study showed that vaginas smell milder and more appealing around ovulation and less appealing on either side of a period.
So what’s the deal with all the other smells?
Possible sign of infection
Strong Fishy – ah, the common insult. The bad vaginal bacteria produce the same smelly chemical compound as the bacteria in decomposing fish. This is usually one of the main symptoms of BV.
Part of the menstrual cycle
Acidic –a healthy vagina is acidic. This gives the baseline for all vaginal odours.
Odourless/yoghurt – a normal smell for a vagina.
Metallic – occurs around a period due to the iron in blood. Can hang around for a few days after it has finished. The mixing of semen with vaginal fluid can also smell metallic.
Affected by External Things
Medicinal - Semen is more alkaline than the vagina and can smell like bleach/chemicals. In the days following penetrative sex, this could affect your vaginal scent.
As a last note, eating asparagus, broccoli, garlic and onions can sometimes contribute to your vagina’s individual scent.
If something smells different…
When a vagina’s smell changes, or discharge smells unpleasant, it could be a sign of infection. It’s best to check with a GP. And remember, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Canesten Thrush External Cream contains clotrimazole 2% w/w. Always read the label
