Boards
You should NOT smell like a rose down there! Blech! | Source: Shutterstock
Newsflash! There is nothing on your body that was made to smell like a friggin’ garden–or vanilla ice cream, for that matter. Your vagina, vulva, clitoris and other parts that comprise your reproductive organs are supposed to smell like YOU.
At this point you may be glazing over and thinking, “Homegirl, that’s all good, but you promised tips on cleaning my stinky vajayjay!” Listen up, Buttercup. unless there is something medically wrong, your vagina will not stink if you bathe daily. It might not smell like a grapefruit salad down there, but um, it’s not supposed to!
This is a fact: we don’t need to douche or perfume our privates, in fact, doing so can actually hurt us. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has confirmed that douching is unhealthy. The doctors put it best when they say that the vagina is a “self cleaning oven.” The word douche means to wash in French. You can do just that with good old soap and H20–don’t need to stick some weird plastic thing up there to make it happen!
Okay, so you know you don’t need to douche your vagina, but why is it so bad to do if you want to? Here’s the thing: a healthy vagina has both good and bad bacteria in it. That’s right (hello, science class!) there are microscopic organisms in our private parts. The balance of harmless and potentially bad bacteria maintain a healthy environment in your body. The vagina is a perfect ecosystem with just the right amount of acidity.
And, um, your vag isn’t supposed to GLOW, either! | Source: Shutterstock
Yikes — that doesn’t seem so Daisy Fresh now, does it?
To be clear, those perfume sprays and fragrances created for the vag are equally as craptastic. If The Man (ad agencies) convinces us that something is wrong with the natural smells of our bodies then they can sell us ways to fix it and make mega moola. But by changing our scent down there, we’re actually masking the natural scents that make us . . . US, and that our sexual partners are biologically turned-on by. (That’s right, even if it smells like, WHATEVER to you, it probs smells good to your cuddle buddy.) If things seem really smelly or you notice a new and unusual vaginal odor or discharge, see your doctor to make sure that everything is okay.
So, what’s the best way to stay smelling good?
Washing with mild soap is the best way to avoid any perceived crotch funk–stay away from harsh deodorizing soaps and exfoliating bars down there–Youch! In addition, breathable natural-fiber undies allow air to flow to your vagina, reducing sweat and moisture. Drinking lots of water is also necessary for a healthy, functioning body. If you’re fanatical, panty liners can also be worn and then discarded to keep undies fresh. Plus, it hasn’t been scientifically proven, but many women swear that eating tons of fruits and veggies makes them smell better. Bonus? More fruits and veggies are a great way to show your body love either way.
Your body (and yes, your vagina!) is yours and you only get one! Love your gorgeous self with all of your natural functions. You’re beautiful, girl.
Do you ever think your vagina smells? Have you ever tried any sprays or perfumes for your vagina? Are you self-conscious of your down-there area? Tell us everything in the comments!
Must Read: The Vagina Do’s And Don’ts!
This or That
hey girls, this problem is sooo common and always gets mis diagnosed. its a unbalance of ph in your area. its called BV othrwise known as bacterial vaginosis. you can get a things called balanceactiv . it comes with 8 applications that you have to use on yourself at night time and then wash again in teh moring. if you use the whole 8 it will treat the bv. but as it is already in your system you may need to buy another box later so you can use extra ones here and there if you’ve had a particularly sweaty day or something. i been suffereing with this for 6 years. this stuff si amazing! please try it you dont need to get it from your doctor it should be in the pharmacy. hope this helps
I smell supper bad down there but then I put Vaseline 3 hours every day and it worked very good
i recently shaved my vagina to go to a party. and it stinks, ive never smelt anything like it. i dont want to talk to my parents but the smell is appalling
I’m 15 and I’m thinking about having sex. I’m very insecure though about my body and I’m scared I’ll smell bad. Certain guys like certain smells though..so what if to my boyfriend I’ll smell bad! And also is it normal to shave and then hair IMMEDIATELY grows back the next day? It’s annoying, I’d like to be bare for a couple days without worrying about razor bumps or prickly hair..
Thanks, I’ve been wondering this. Good to know other females are going through the same thing as me because I was scared, and thought Somethig was wrong with me because white stuff comes out of my vagina.
I smell good only for a certain amount of time then i stink what should i do? I shower everyday though
im 13 i shower like 3 times a day and after a shower my vajayjay is clean and then 5 minutes later it starts smelling wtf is wrong with me ?
I’m 11 when I turned 9 or My vagina started releasing white stuff. The stuff kept releasing everyday and smelled but it was ok it wasn’t a bad odor. When I turned 10 it started to smell and leak through my underwear and if i was at school it would smell and when i got home it would really stink badly. When i turned 11 i got my period and the blood was mixed in with white gunk. now if i wash a night time and go to school the next day my vaginal will start smelling as early as 1 period ad 2nd period. I WASH REALLY WELL and it keeps smelling after my shower and it ruins my underwear. WTF IS WRONG WITH ME I NEED HELP. I tried shaving my bush cause its super hairy but it doesn’t work help!!!!!
Hi, we are 15 years old and both of us have gone through the same problem! its completely normal to have discharge and stuff mixed in with your period, and one thing to try would be panty liners! they are not as thick as pads, and are made just for that reason. dont worry about it. Many girls in your school are probably going through the same thing. Talk to your mom (if your comfortable) or talk to your best friends or friends in general (thats what they are for!)
Make sure the soap youre using is just a plain white bar of soap. Scented washes and sprays can give your vagina a nasty smell after a few hours or even minutes. Dont over-do it either. Thats like they say not to wash your face too much cause it will take all of the good things away. Same thing with your cootch !
Goodluck !
Well for starters, i am a hoTT mess with smelling good. My underarms stink, my vajayjay stinks. And i Have a major sweat problem. Over the past 4 years i probably smelt good ten times. Its very annoying trying to go to work or a night club or even on a date. I shower twice a day everyday. Morning and night. My doctor has prescribed me mess for my underarms and told me to use summers eve powder down there. That shit does not work. Told my dr that and she had me see a dermatologist. She tells me nothing is wrong. I asked her well y do i smell like this if i have no infections, diseases, disorders, shower twice daily, use mild soap, prescribed deoderants, soft scents. She could not help me. I can’t even wear skirts unless i want to stink up the room. Help me please…. any suggestions?????????????
I stay in the shower for hours I dry like three times and during school my ”vajayjay” still smells by the end of the day …… HELP!!!!!????
It only smells because it’s after a long day at school your thugs rub tiger and it sweats try some cotton g strings and loose pangs and et summers eve wipes but not powders
I am very young I’m only 14 and I have been reading a lot of your stuff and they really help me as a child and Let’s me know about sex and stuff I’m not having sex but maybe in the future . But Yeah Thank you your Blogs and Stuff really helps me
When I sweat or sit down for a long time the inside if me legs near my vagina starts to smell like onions. I take showers everyday and keep it shaved but nothing helps. It’s embarrassing when you want to get intimate and you have that odor down there.
What’s wrong with me ? Any explanations for my misery ?
it could be the type of undies you are wearing or tight clothes if you wear them often. try changing your diet and eating fresh healthy foods (pineapple!) that clean your system and may reduce the smell. it helped for me!
i have discharge down there and i always have to wear a pantyliner, but i wanna know, is that normal? how do guys go”go down on” a girl, if they have stuff comin out? lol jw
I was worried to but when my boyfriend firlookst went down all he said was I have your fanny loob on my fingers then laughed honestly its normal everybody has a weird smelling vagina and has discharge its okay
My vajayjay is a mess. It smells like curry and funges, yet all I eat is chicken mcnuggets.
The article–though very informative– stated things that I already knew. What my question is (keeping in mind that you’ve wash yourself properly): How to not smell like Indian food/garlic, and whatever else is full of spice after you’ve eaten it? I come from an Iranian family and our food has a lot of garlic and other spices that like to seep through the skin, this includes: Under arms (armpits), the pores in your skin (face, chest, forearm, thighs) and your vagina–unfortunately. I know you can say “Well don’t eat it,” but if not eating the foods I like and that are good for me, give me a less ‘spicy’ smelling vag? Forget it.
Hey I have the same problem but for some reason I sweat alot in my inner thighs and I sweat through my trousers but I do wash my vajayjay twice every day but I dont see the problem :/ I tryed everything I can like vagisil etc but doesnt seem to work I need help! D:
Finally someone telling the truth.
Thank God!
I’m sooo tired of other gurls I know (and know of) not washing with soap and water. (Hello, thats the reason you smell bad!)
Lol cleaning my stinky vajajay lol
Vagisil. Non irritating and it works, keeps yeast infections away too if you’re prone to them, said the pharmacist.
ok so ever sence ive had a baby down there has been ichy and slimey and stinky. Ive went to the doctor and they said evrythings fine. Ive also been useing vagisil and anything i can do to make it smell better. After reading this im starting to think what im useing to make it smell good could be makeing it smell bad. could my ph just be off blance from haveing a kid just 2 months ago?
You need to get a second opinion. Obviously something is wrong down there.
The fact that you just had a baby, you really need to make sure you yourself is healthy.
Go to another doctor just to be sure.
THANK YOU! I’ve been telling my friends this for years. *sigh* Thank you.