A Comprehensive Guide on How To Get Rid Of Vaginal Odor At Home

Well, ladies, we all know that vaginal odor can be a major issue; and how convenient it would be if you knew how to get rid of vaginal odor at home. While vaginal odor is natural and also normal to some extent; it may sometimes become embarrassing and uncomfortable for some women, since it affects their self-confidence and quality of life. There could be many reasons for vaginal odor amongst women, such as poor intimate hygiene, yeast infection, hormonal imbalances, and bacterial infection (1). Luckily we will be presenting to you many options that can help eliminate your vaginal odor without going to the doctor. Remedies include adding probiotics to your diet, using natural disinfectants like apple cider vinegar, and applying essential oils or herbal remedies. By learning about these remedies and adopting healthy habits, women can effectively manage vaginal odor and prevent it from recurring.

Read on to learn more about  home remedies for vaginal odor.

What Is Vaginal Odor?

Vaginal odor refers to any unpleasant or unusual smell that emanates from the vagina. While it is normal for the vagina to have a mild odor, an intense or foul smell may indicate an underlying medical issue or poor hygiene. Well to understand this we need to know what influences the vaginal smell. A healthy vagina typically has a mild, musky odor that is not noticeable unless you are very close. According to Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, Founder of The Bloom IVF Group, “Vaginal odor is a natural presence but intense or foul smell can be due to poor intimate hygiene, yeast infection, hormonal imbalance, or bacterial infection. It can be due to sexually transmitted infection, certain diet, and medicine intake. So vagina may emanate odor but any foul and fishy odor should be recognized and treated.” Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of vaginal odor, and it also often has a fishy smell that is more noticeable after sex (1) .

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Symptoms Of Vaginal Odor

The main symptom of vaginal odor is a strong or unpleasant smell emanating from the vaginal area. Other symptoms that may accompany vaginal odor include:

• Discharge: An abnormal discharge that is thicker or different in color than usual may be a sign of a bacterial or yeast infection. The discharges may be of varied colors such as yellow, white, or even brown.
• Itching or Irritation: Vaginal itching or irritation may indicate an infection or an allergic reaction to a product. It may also be a fungal infection.
• Burning Sensation in the Vagina: Many ladies may have a burning sensation during urination.
• Pain or Discomfort: There may be some pain and discomfort in the vaginal area which may need medical attention. 
• Swelling or Redness: Swelling or redness around the vagina may indicate an infection or an allergic reaction.

It is also important to understand that some women may not even experience any of the above symptoms other than just the vaginal odor.

Causes of Vaginal Odor

Well, there could be many reasons why women develop a vaginal odor, but it is important to understand the main underlying reason so it can be solved. Let’s talk about a few reason:

• Bacterial Vaginosis: The main reason is the vagina produces an overgrowth of harmful bacteria which produces a foul smell.
• Yeast Infections: Yeast infections can cause a thick, white discharge that may have a yeasty or bread-like smell (2). Discussing the causes and severity of vaginal fungal infections, our contributor Dr. Himali Maniar, OB-GYN – ClinicSpots, says, “Vaginal fungal infections, such as a yeast infection, can be uncomfortable and should be treated promptly. These infections are caused by an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina that is usually caused by hormonal imbalances or antibiotics. Though they are not dangerous in most cases, they may cause discomfort and irritation. It is important to seek medical attention if you have any symptoms of a vaginal infection, as it can be a sign of something more serious.”
• Poor Hygiene: Improper hygiene practices, such as wearing tight or synthetic underwear; not washing the genital area regularly; or using scented products can lead to vaginal odor.
• Hormonal Changes: We get hormonal changes during our pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and other bodily functions. This may lead to an alteration in the balance of bacteria in the vagina leading to a change in the odor.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Some STIs can result in unpleasant odor along with symptoms like foul smell, discharge, and burning sensations (2), (3). Here are some easy ways to prevent STIs as per our contributor Dr. Himali Maniar. She says, “The most important step in avoiding STIs is practicing safe sex. This includes using condoms and dental dams during vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse. If you are engaging in sexual activities with multiple partners, it is also important to get tested for STIs regularly. Limiting your number of sexual partners is a great way to reduce your risk of getting an STI.”
• Diet: Eating certain things, such as spicy or pungent foods, may affect the smell of vaginal discharge.
• Medicines: Some meds may cause a change in your vaginal odor as well.

It is important to note that some vaginal odor is normal and it may appear depending on factors such as diet and menstrual cycle. These occurrences are usually temporary in duration. If your vagina is smelling foul for a long time, we suggest you visit a doctor.

There are several home remedies for vaginal odor, Let us mention some of the most effective remedies:

• Probiotics: Adding probiotics to your diet or taking supplements can help to balance the bacteria in your gut and vagina, reducing the risk of infection and odor. You can add foods such as yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, kanji, and pickles which are rich in probiotics (4).
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can be used as a home remedy, it can be made at home, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water and use it superficially to rinse the genital area daily. Due to its antiseptic and antibacterial nature it is able to make the vagina odorless. Dr. Nandita Palshetkar further adds, “Vaginal odor refers to an unpleasant or unusual smell that arises from vagina. Most women have a musky or fleshy natural scent, but this varies from person to person. The vaginal odor can change as you age or in response to certain stimuli. Some factors that temporarily change vaginal odor include ordinary sweating, sexual activity and menstrual cycle. So vagina naturally has an odor which does not go completely and it varies according to hormonal changes or diet.”
• Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has so many benefits, they are naturally anti-fungal and also antibacterial (5). They also eliminate the bad bacteria which cause odor development. You may mix a few drops of tea tree oil with coconut oil or any carrier oil of your choice and apply it to the vaginal area. Try a patch test before you do this.
• Garlic: Garlic has natural antimicrobial properties that can help to fight bacterial infections and reduce odor. Eat one or two raw garlic cloves daily or take garlic supplements.
• Baking Soda: Baking soda can help to balance the pH of the vagina and reduce odor (6). Add a cup of baking soda to your bathwater and soak for 20 minutes.

If you have a persistent or severe vaginal odor, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

When to consult with a doctor 

Ladies if you are experiencing vaginal odor, it is important to pay attention to any accompanying symptoms that may indicate an underlying condition. You may require medical attention if you experience unbearable pain or discomfort, here could be a chance you may have vaginal infection or a condition. Other symptoms that may warrant a visit to the doctor include abnormal discharge that is thick, clumpy, or discolored, foul smell, a burning sensation or pain during urination, and irregular periods or bleeding between periods.

Conclusion 

Since you were worried about how to get rid of vaginal odor at home, we have compiled a list of the most helpful remedies. Let’s summarize what we know now: vaginal odor is a common and general issue that is faced by many women at some point in their lives. We may follow preventive measures such as maintaining good personal hygiene and wearing breathable and good-quality clothing. Eating a healthy and nutritious diet, and using natural remedies like tea tree oil, garlic, or apple cider vinegar may help. All of these remedies may help reduce vaginal odor or make it better. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider if the odor persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as abnormal discharge, pain or burning during urination, or irregular periods. If you have these symptoms it may indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention. It is always better to seek medical advice for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. With proper care and attention, most cases of vaginal odor can be managed effectively.

Contributor: Dr. Himali Maniar, OB-GYN – ClinicSpots

Sources:

1. Chronic Vaginal Malodor in the Absence of Infection: A Possible Manifestation of Olfactory Reference Syndrome  

https://juniperpublishers.com/jgwh/pdf/JGWH.MS.ID.555868.pdf 

2. Associations between sexual habits, menstrual hygiene practices, demographics and the vaginal microbiome as revealed by Bayesian network analysis

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0191625&type=printable 

3. A Study On Vaginal Discharge In Females Attending Sexually Transmitted Disease Outpatient Department

http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/12638/1/202000217sobimeena.pdf 

4. Vaginal Microbiota and the Use of Probiotics

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662373/

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