08/04/2017
Vaginal odor is a topic that’s not only embarrassing to discuss for many, but it’s simply embarrassing to live with for anyone who may be experiencing it. Oftentimes, it’s the result of a va**nal yeast infection, but that’s not always the case — which is why it’s important to find the root cause.
Having a healthy va**na is extremely important to overall health, healthy births and healthy marriages, and va**nal odor can be a signal that there might be a health issue at play. How this affects a woman’s self-esteem is another side effect, not to mention how it can affect her relationship with her significant other due to the impact it may have on their s*x life. While there are many causes, most of the time it can be resolved through natural remedies. But where does this incredibly uncomfortable va**nal odor come from, and what is it in the first place?
Vaginal odor is defined as any odor that originates from the va**na. It’s normal for your va**na to have a slight odor given it’s an opening to the interior of the body, but a strong va**nal smell, such as a fishy va**nal odor, could indicate a bigger problem and should be checked out with your physician.
Abnormal va**nal odor is typically associated with other va**nal signs and symptoms, such as itching, burning or irritation. Often there is va**nal odor and discharge at the same time. Luckily, there are natural ways to take care of va**nal odor such as apple cider vinegar, baking soda, probiotics, tea tree oil and more that I lay out below.
Top 10 Ways on How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor
Vaginal odor is often more noticeable just after s*x and can vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Normal sweating can also be a cause a va**nal odor. This is often where the the idea of using va**nal douching and other va**nal deodorant-type products comes to mind, but these products can actually increase irritation and other va**nal symptoms due to their chemical-filled ingredient list. (1)
Instead of douching and other potentially toxic feminine hygiene products, try the following natural remedies.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains amazing antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can help fight va**nal odor. (2) Taking a bath with apple cider vinegar can help fight off the toxins and bacteria that cause va**nal odor while restoring the acidic quality of the va**nal flora. Try drinking a glass of water mixed with one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used to balance the pH level in your body. When the pH level is in balance, the problem of va**nal odor will dissipate, which means you can add natural deodorizer to the list of baking soda uses. (3)
You can simply add half a cup of baking soda to your bathwater and soak for about 15–20 minutes. Then thoroughly dry your body before putting on your clothing. Make sure to not allow moisture to sit in any folds or the groin area of the body.
3. Probiotics
We love probiotics since they can help keep the gut healthy, but did you know that probiotics can do wonders for va**nal odor? Miso, kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt and kefir are all great options. Probiotic yogurt, for example, is rich in lactobacillus bacteria, which helps fight candida infection, a common cause of va**nal odor. It also helps restore the normal va**nal pH level, which can remove va**nal odor. (4)
4. White Vinegar and Sea Salt
While apple cider vinegar seems to get all the glory when it comes to home remedies, let’s not forget white vinegar. White vinegar can help neutralize odors by breaking down odor proteins, and a white vinegar bath may help eliminate va**nal odor and help restore pH levels in the va**na. (5)
Just a half cup each of white vinegar and sea salt in lukewarm bath water several times a week may do the trick.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains strong antifungal properties as well as being a great antiseptic. These characteristics help get rid of bacteria that may contribute to the problem of va**nal odor and discomfort. (6)
Add a few drops combined with water and witch hazel on a cotton pad and then applying it to the effected area daily can make a big difference. Make sure to dilute with the water and witch hazel since tea tree oil can cause some initial sensitivity to the groin area.
6. Garlic
It may seem odd to take one foul smell to get rid of another, but garlic is known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It’s a natural antibiotic that may be just the remedy for va**nal infections as well as va**nal odor. The antifungal properties that garlic contains can help fight a yeast infection, which, in turn, gets rid of bad bacteria. (7)
Just incorporate garlic in raw or cooked form, on a daily basis, into your meals. Garlic is available in capsule form at your health food store, or you can eat one or two raw garlic cloves on an empty stomach with a glass of warm water.
7. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh, organic, whole fruits and vegetables are always key to a healthy body and support va**nal health due to the numerous vitamins and minerals they contain. We know that vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, guava, strawberries, kiwi, and green and red peppers, is an immune system booster. (8)
Leafy greens should always be consumed in abundance since they help with circulation and prevent va**nal dryness. Eat plenty of spinach, kale, cabbage, salad, Swiss chard, collards and other leafy greens by including them in your salads and smoothies. The avocado stimulates va**nal health and also helps with libido because it contains vitamin B6 and potassium, which supports healthy va**nal walls, reducing the risks of infection and bacterial growth. (9)
8. Nuts and Seeds
Adding nuts to your daily nutrition helps prevents va**nal dryness because they contain vitamin E. Look for sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts. Almonds and pumpkin seeds are also rich in zinc, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce itching and other symptoms of dryness that can cause bacterial growth and odor. (10)
Ground flaxseed is a superfood that’s rich in phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to boost estrogen levels and may stop va**nal dryness.
9. Water
I cannot stress enough the importance of water and lots of it. The mucous va**nal membranes need water to function properly so they remain well-hydrated. Water helps lubricate your va**na naturally, which aids in diminishing va**nal smells. (11)
10. Neem Bark Extract
Neem bark has some pretty phenomenal antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties that help support balanced intestinal flora while fighting infection from fungi, such as candida. In fact, in vitro studies showed efficacy against infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes, in s*xually active women who took neem oil extract in the tablet form. This is due to the possible enhanced antibody production and because forms of neem may promote the immune response of white blood cells, unleashing them — hence killing bacterial invaders. (12)
