5 surprising things that can affect how your vagina smells

Why are we so shy or ashamed about having a conversation about one of the most powerful organs we possess?

Flower, vagina, vajayjay, thingy, kitty - Life can be boring, it's yours so you name it.

Of course everyone has their preferred term for their vagina. While some may prefer to use the scientific term, Vulva, I would say whatever makes you feel pride in your lady parts is the term that you should use. Your body, your rules right!

Vagina's come in all shapes, sizes, and smells! How you relate to your vagina will forever have an impact on how you see yourself. God forbid we take great pride in how we see our precious organ that plays a vital role in creating life in this world. Science tell us our vulva is an external genital organ that has three main functions: enabling sperm to enter the body, protecting the internal genital organs from infectious organisms, and providing sexual pleasure!

So, why are we so shy or ashamed about having a conversation about one of the most powerful organs we possess? I can recall having short conversations about getting a period which was awkward to say the least. Why the secrecy? Why the shame? Why the embarrassment?

The cloak of secrecy surrounding our vaginas only results in women who don't feel secure in their own body. Boys don't learn about it, so they tease and become grossed out. So again, what is the so secret about the VAGINA?

Since there is so much secrecy, our womanhood continues to be overly sexualized, politicized, and exploited! How could a miracle that produces life and be so orgasmic be a negative thing? Embrace the total you! Embrace your mind, body, and soul -- which includes your VAGINA!

So what can we do to take care of the precious organ we possess? This is the #1 personal hygiene question that gets asked on Blooom repeatedly. To be blunt, how can you ensure your vagina radiates a smell that empowers you?

First, let's talk about what a healthy vagina should smell like.

Normal vaginal discharge has a mild, musky scent that is not unpleasant. Which means that a very slight smell is completely normal. Any foul (bad) or strong smell, or a smell that is unusual, is a sign that things may be out of balance. At that point, it's probably a good idea to schedule an appointment with your OBGYN to get things checked out.

What are some common causes to vaginal odor?

Vaginal odor usually arises in the form of a fishy smell, which is caused by bacteria and yeast infections. Women who suffer from these conditions may be embarrassed to talk about it, but don't be! We just need to seek out ways to reduce or eliminate unwanted smells.

For starters......try this!

5 tips to prevent vaginal odor

TIP 1: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Ensuring your body is properly hydrated (with water) will not only help nourish your body, but it will improve your vagina's overall health, too, by encouraging healthy sweating and fluid release.

Commit to consuming at least half a gallon of water per day.

TIP 2: Switch to cotton underwear

Wearing tight clothes that trap sweat close to your body may be the source.

Sweating can lead to bacterial growth in your underwear which can cause an unpleasant odor. Switching to cotton panties may help because they allow more air to circulate. Change your underwear often and wash them a with a natural soap or detergent

TIP 3: Incorporate a natural deodorant into your routine

If changes in clothing aren't enough, we recommend trying a natural deodorant like

Lumē, Lumē is the perfect deodorant for underarms and private parts plus its free of aluminum, baking soda, and paragon. It provides 72-hour odor control and is also safe to use on your feet.

It comes in over 10 earthy herbal scents but my personal favorite is the "Clean Tangerine"

TIP 4: Consider altering your diet

You may have heard the Kardashians suggested adding pineapples to your diet to help improve the smell and taste of your lady parts (yes, I said taste). Although we haven't seen the scientific evidence to prove this suggestion, there are endless health advantages that come with paying close attention to the food we consume. Your vagina is like other organisms in your body, it pays attention to what you eat! On the surface, it’s confusing to think about a link between your vagina and your diet, but the fact is that certain foods can wreak havoc down there. What you eat can influence your vagina’s pH level, which is acidic when the vagina is healthy. For that reason, spices, onion, asparagus, broccoli, sugar, red meat, and dairy can alter the normal pH level and produce a strange smell down there.

On the other hand, fresh veggies, fruits, whole grains, a lot of water, and especially greek yogurt are major players in helping your bits maintain a pleasant odor. Always, remember you are what you eat.

Tip 5: Use an all natural vaginal soap

Attention, product junkies: Take it easy on the multiple body washes, soaps, and yes, even bath bombs. That expensive body wash is supposed to keep things fresh, but over time, you may have discovered that it is not your vagina’s friend. Certain soaps and detergents can definitely change the way your vagina smells.

As Michael Cackovic, M.D., an OB/GYN at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, explained to Self, “People who use the same soaps and detergents have less of a variation in their scent than people who are changing things often.”

As always, be extra attentive to what's going on with your bodies. It's your temple.

Once you truly recognize the power in your vagina you can unlock the power to your innate power and capabilities.

Subscribe to our Blooom newsletter, to discover deals, wellness tips and more!