Does My Vagina Smell Right?

We’re guessing you’ve definitely worried about your scent down there at some stage. So, we feel it’s our duty to put your mind at ease. Even though it’s not a scent you’d buy in a bottle, it’s pretty normal for our vaginas to have a slightly sour smell to them.

So why does our vagina smell?

Odour can occur once menstrual fluid (what’s that in my undies), or discharge, is exposed to the air as it leaves your body. The air is what allows the odour causing bacteria to develop. It’s not dissimilar to what happens with sweat (although please don’t put deodorant or perfumes on your vagina!). Because the amount and type of discharge changes throughout our cycle, the extent of the scent will too.

While it’s totally normal to have a scent, there are certainly things you can do to keep it fresh down there. Here are our top tips for a clean cookie:

1. Wash: We suggest cleaning the outside of your vagina with a wash cloth and mild soap. Anything harsher than a wash cloth, such as a loofah, might cause some tearing. Try to avoid scented body washes too, as these may upset the regular pH balance of your vagina.
2. No douching! You can certainly buy douching products that claim to ‘get rid of bad bacteria’ but unfortunately, they also get rid of the good bacteria too, so best to stay away from these altogether.
3. Wear breathable undies.
4. Wear a liner: Liners are designed to absorb discharge quickly, reducing the time it is exposed to the air and consequently reducing odour. Our range of ProSkin Liners are pH balanced and breathable, to keep you fresh throughout the day. For light protection with a barely-there feel, go for our ProSkin Ultra Thin liners. If you need a little more absorbency, our ProSkin Extra Protect liners are about to be your new best friend!

Okay, so despite what your ex told you, it’s totally normal for your vagina to have a scent. However, a strong fishy smell, even after you’ve showered isn’t normal. If you feel your scent is unusual for you, this could be a sign of an infection and you should pay a visit to your GP.

Love, Libra x

Anything else? Essity makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional, medical or other health professional advice.