Why Does My Vagina Smell? 7 Possible Reasons

Musky, earthy, sweet. Chances are if you have a vagina, you probably have a pretty good idea of what its typical odor is.

Thus, when you notice it smells differently—the scent is stronger, more bitter, or just funkier—you might get concerned. Luckily, lots of different things can alter your vagina's smell, and not all of them require a visit to your gynecologist or healthcare provider.

How Should a Vagina Smell?

There isn't one "normal" way your vagina should smell. Mild scents are to be expected. People have their own unique vaginal scent that reflects body chemistry and may change in response to hormones, sweat levels, foods eaten regularly, and other factors.

The key is to recognize your usual vaginal odor and know what to do (if anything) when the smell changes.

Causes of Vaginal Odor Changes

There are several factors that can change how the vagina smells. Some don't require treatment, while others are serious and need treatment right away. Here are seven common culprits behind sudden vaginal odor changes.

Exercise

It's normal for your vaginal odor to change throughout the day. After you've worked up a sweat, for example, you may notice your vagina has a stronger and muskier smell than usual.

Food

Just as some foods can alter the smell of your breath, they may also change the scent of your vagina. Onions are a common culprit, along with garlic, asparagus, curry, and red meat, Jennifer Landa, MD, an OB-GYN at BodyLogicMD in Orlando, Florida, told Health.

Although there isn't strong evidence, it's believed that substances in these foods affect your vaginal secretions as well as the smell of your sweat and urine, so the new smell can be pretty noticeable. It'll go away once your body fully metabolizes what you ate, explained Dr. Landa.

While there's no solid research, anecdotal evidence suggests that eating pineapple can make the vagina smell sweeter.

Medications

Certain medications can change the smell of your vagina. For example, antibiotics and corticosteroid medicines may cause too much yeast to grow in the vagina, leading to an unpleasant odor.

Menstruation

When your period rolls around, you may notice that your vagina has a different or stronger smell than usual. "Having a smell with your period is totally normal," said Dr. Landa. "Besides blood, there is also tissue from the uterus, and maybe even bacteria from the uterus that is expelled when you have your period."

The scent can be more intense on the lighter days of your flow when blood leaves your uterus more slowly and has had time to mix with odor-causing bacteria.

Menstruating vaginas smell different for everyone, but Dr. Landa suggested it may be more metallic or very slightly fishy, thanks to the bacteria.

Sex

Sex can also cause your vagina to produce a different smell. The post-sex odor goes beyond the potent blend of sweat and vaginal secretions your body produces during sex. Semen has its own distinct odor, which also depends on a person's body chemistry and other factors. When semen mixes with the bacteria in the vagina, "it can cause a sort of tangy smell that is totally normal," said Dr. Landa.

One type of smell that is sometimes detected after sex isn't normal: a strong, fishy odor. This is a telltale sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), a type of vaginal infection. If the fishy odor persists and is accompanied by a thin white or gray discharge, pain, and/or itching, check in with your healthcare provider. It's important to note:

• When diagnosed with BV, 84% of people reported having no symptoms
• People who have not had sex can still get BV

STIs

Sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can trigger an unpleasant odor, which Dr. Landa described as "pus from a wound," though not all people will experience this. Other symptoms of these STIs include:

• Abnormal discharge
• Pain during urination

On the other hand, these sneaky infections often have no signs or symptoms. If you suspect you may have an STI, call your healthcare provider.

Another STI that triggers a foul or fishy odor is trichomoniasis, which is caused by a parasite. Trich doesn't get a lot of attention, but it's actually the most common curable STI. Other symptoms of trichomoniasis include itching or burning of the vagina and discomfort while peeing.

Yeast Infections

A yeast infection, also called vaginal candidiasis, is a common condition that is more likely to occur in people who:

• Are pregnant
• Have a weakened immune system
• Have diabetes
• Have recently taken antibiotics
• Take hormonal contraceptives

The usual tip-off to a yeast infection is itching and irritation at the opening of your vagina and/or a thick, cheese-curd kind of discharge. However, sometimes it's a bread-like odor that clues you in, said Dr. Landa. See your OB-GYN or healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

When To Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Contact your healthcare provider if you notice a concerning change in your usual vaginal odor that lasts for several days, or if you develop symptoms like:

• Discomfort during sex
• Irritation
• Itching
• Pain
• Redness and swelling
• Unusual discharge

Your healthcare provider can do tests and provide guidance and treatment as needed.

Diagnosis

In some cases, an unusual vaginal odor can be a sign of an STI (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis) or yeast infection. If a healthcare provider believes that an infection or illness may be the cause of your vaginal odor, they may make a diagnosis using the information they gain by:

• Discussing your symptoms and medical history
• Performing a pelvic exam
• Examining any vaginal discharge
• Taking a sample of your vaginal secretions
• Running lab tests

Treatment

Once your healthcare provider has found the cause of your vaginal odor, they will be able to provide the right kind of treatment for the cause. For example, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis are usually treated with antibiotics.

Yeast infections can be treated with either prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Whatever you do, don't douche. Douching involves rinsing out the inside of your vagina with a stream of fluid. It has no known health benefits and can actually increase your risk of yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other problems.

Prevention

Here are some steps you can take to keep your vagina smelling the way it usually does:

• Avoid scented pads, tampons, sprays, and powders
• Change out of damp clothing as soon as possible
• Don't douche
• Don't wear tight-fitting clothing
• Wash the outside of your vagina with warm water when you bathe (use only mild soaps, if any)
• Wear cotton underpants

A Quick Review

A change in vaginal odor can happen because of changes in food choices, getting your period, or having sex. Those causes don't require treatment, but others—like STIs and yeast infections—need to be treated in order for them to go away.

If you've noticed a change in the scent of your vagina and are unsure whether it needs treating, it's always safest to contact your healthcare provider.