5 causes of vaginal odor and how to deal with it

In general, there is a slight sour odor in the vagina. This is because lactobacillus and other lactic acid bacteria live in the vagina. They protect the vagina from all kinds of harmful bacteria.

However, if harmful bacteria penetrate or multiply in the vagina due to any cause, the vagina may smell unpleasant. Women's Health, an American women's magazine, interviewed Mary Jane Minkin, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Yale University School of Medicine, to classify these abnormal vaginal odors into five types.

First, the smell of rotten fish

The cause of rotten fish, which is sometimes described as the smell of dried squid, is bacterial vaginosis. When the vagina is not normally slightly acidic and the pH (acidity) rises, harmful bacteria take over the vagina instead of lactic acid bacteria, causing the secretions to rot and produce a foul odor. You may also have a watery, white or grey vaginal discharge.

In order to maintain the acidity of the vagina, it is necessary to avoid excessive cleansing of the vagina on a regular basis. Regular soaps are alkaline, which can destroy the normal slightly acidic environment of the vagina. Instead, we recommend that you buy a vaginal formulation or pH gel from a pharmacy that is designed to balance the pH.

If the smell doesn't go away within a week, you can go to the gynecologist. Most can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Second, the smell of beer or yeast

The smell of beer and yeast is a common smell when fermenting food. Most of the beer or yeast smell in the vagina is caused by mold, or fungus. If it is accompanied by a cheesy, sticky white discharge, it should be even more suspicious, and it may cause a rash around the vagina, stinging, or pain when urinating.

The most common fungus that appears in the vagina is Candida. Candida vaginitis doesn't have to be caused by poor hygiene. On the contrary, it is said that it often appears like a cold when the immune system is compromised. Pregnant women or women with diabetes are especially susceptible to it because the fungus loves glucose. Diabetics have a lot of sugar in their vaginal secretions as well as in their blood, which is a favorable environment for fungi to grow. In this case, aggressive treatment of diabetes to lower blood sugar may be the fundamental treatment.

Third, the smell of earth or musk

If your vagina smells like dirt or musk, you should first consider whether you are wearing synthetic underwear. Bacteria can grow on sweaty synthetic underwear after exercise, which can cause an unpleasant musky smell. If possible, you should wear your workout clothes or underwear made of cotton rather than synthetic fibers, and wash them immediately after your workout to prevent the growth of odor-causing germs.  

Fourth, the smell of rotten meat

If your vagina smells like rotting meat, it may be caused by a tampon that has been used for a long time. In confined spaces, bacteria can easily grow. Bacteria that grow in old tampons can cause vaginal odor and fatal complications such as toxic shock syndrome, so you need to be extra careful.

Fifth, the smell of iron

The smell of copper, tin-like iron in the vagina is due to menstrual blood. In this case, it will return to normal when your period ends, but if there is any blood residue left behind, it will smell metallic, so you can wash it lightly with a vinegar-based cleanser or water. Again, you should avoid using soaps with strong cleaning power.

Advice to manage vaginal odor

The most important thing to keep the vagina clean is to dry the pubic area well first. Mold and bacteria thrive in high humidity.

It is also important to take care of your overall physical condition. The acidity of the vagina depends on the physical condition, so if the immune system is damaged due to overwork, stress, nutritional imbalance, or lack of sleep, the vaginal environment will also be ruined.

The vagina is part of our body. Instead of blaming the smell of the vagina on some disorderly lifestyle or hygiene, we recommend that you pay attention to your overall physical health.