What Should a Vagina Smell Like? Let's Talk About It

Have you ever caught a whiff from down there and thought, Is this normal? Or maybe you can't quite pick up the scent yourself but wonder if others can. In any case, you're far from alone.

Vaginal scent is a natural thing. It's ever-changing, totally normal, and nothing to be embarrassed about. Then again, being concerned about your own smell is somewhat common.¹ So, what should a vagina smell like? It depends on a few factors and can evolve throughout the day or month.

Let’s explore the smell of a healthy vagina, what might shift it, what odors (or other signs) can signal that something's wrong, and how to care for your body with confidence.

Yes, Vaginas Have a Natural Scent

Just like any other body part and living organism, vaginas have a natural scent. Although it's not always detectable, especially underneath clothing.

Flora in the vagina (good bacteria that help it stay healthy) plays a big role in how it smells. The scent can vary throughout your cycle or after certain activities, like having sex, working out, or spending time in the hot sun. Depending on the time of the month, it's completely normal for a healthy vagina to have a mild scent that might come off as musky, metallic, slightly tangy, or even sweet.²

This is nothing to be ashamed of. And again, even if the scent is vaguely detectable, there's a good chance those around you aren't consciously aware of it. In fact, the pheromones involved in human sexual attraction may partly make up a person's natural vaginal odor.³

If you’re wondering how to get rid of period odor, remember that managing scent starts with gentle care, not over-washing or masking it with fragrance.

Common Vaginal Scents and What They Usually Mean

When it comes to healthy vaginal scents, some of the most common are:

• Musky or earthy
• Metallic
• Tangy or fermented
• Faintly sweet

Musky or Earthy

Vaginal scents are sometimes described as musky. Musk is a bit warm and earthy, and it can smell differently on different people. Humans have multiple sensory receptors for detecting the smell of musk. It's often used as a base or top note in fragrances, like perfume and cologne, so a musky smell definitely isn't a bad thing.⁴

You might experience this vaginal scent during the luteal phase of your cycle (the seven to 14 days after ovulation).⁵ Sweating can also create a musky aroma, so you could also notice it after working out on your period or in humid weather. 

Metallic

During your period (or just before and the few days after), your vagina may have a metallic scent. That's because period blood contains iron.² And this isn't a bad thing. Iron is not only an essential mineral needed for healthy blood but also a metal. As in, an elemental metal from the table of elements (Fe).⁶

Tangy or Fermented

It's also normal for a vagina to smell tangy, fermented, yeasty, or even vaguely sour. Think sourdough bread, which is leavened with wild yeast and bacteria, giving it a tangy flavor.

This is because of lactobacilli (the healthy vaginal bacteria we mentioned earlier). It could mean the bacteria in your vagina are a little more acidic than average, possibly during certain times of the month, which isn't really a cause for concern.²

Faintly Sweet

A faintly sweet smell might show up mid-cycle as hormones shift and your pH levels change. The sweetness could be somewhat musky or even bittersweet, like molasses, with a hint of tang or earthiness.²

What Color Should Vaginal Discharge Be?

While scent is one way to understand what’s going on with your vaginal health, discharge color is another important (and often confusing) cue. A healthy vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky white and may appear slightly thicker or more slippery depending on the time in your cycle.

Other hues can sometimes signal a disruption. For example, yellow or green discharge, especially if paired with a strong odor, may be worth asking your healthcare provider about. Brown discharge around your period is often just old blood leaving the body. But if you're not sure what's normal for you, keep a journal of changes and speak with a professional for peace of mind.⁷

When a Vaginal Scent Might Signal a Disruption

Now you know what a healthy vagina can smell like. But how do you know if something's off? Here's what to look out for:

• A strong fishy smell or foul odor: A strong fishy smell or foul odor that persists for more than a few days could point to an imbalance in vaginal bacteria (vaginal dysbiosis), which can lead to bacterial vaginosis (BV), a type of infection.⁸ If you notice a pungent ammonia-like smell (similar to stale urine), you might be dehydrated.
• Unusual discharge: Some vaginal discharge is normal and healthy. But if it's grayish or greenish and accompanied by a metallic smell, it could be a sign of BV or another infection, like trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Itching or burning: If you notice an unusual (or unusually strong or foul-smelling) odor with itching or burning, you might be experiencing vaginal inflammation (aka vaginitis) or an infection, such as BV.²

Rael's gentle vaginal wipes can help calm irritation and refresh your intimate area without disrupting your balance. And they're conveniently flushable.

But if something feels, looks, or smells off, it's always best to check in with a healthcare provider. They can assess your symptoms, take a vaginal swab to check for an infection, and prescribe antibiotics if needed.⁹

What Can Affect the Way Your Vagina Smells?

Many things can affect the way a vagina smells. As noted, the scent can change throughout the month or shift after certain activities. But it can also be individual to the person, like pheromones.¹⁰

The main factors affecting vagina scent are:

• Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle
• Environmental and lifestyle factors
• Hygiene habits, sweat, or sex

Hormonal Changes Throughout Your Cycle

Normal hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle can play a role in how a vagina smells. For instance, during the luteal phase, when luteinizing hormone drops dramatically after its monthly surge, you might have a musky or earthy scent.⁵

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

A handful of things within your control and a few things that may be outside of your control can affect vaginal scent. For example:

• Diet: The types of foods you eat can impact what your vagina smells like. Generally speaking, eating a variety of foods—with plenty of fruits, veggies, protein, and whole grains—is best for whole-body well-being, including vaginal health.
• Hydration: Staying hydrated is important for countless bodily functions. It's also crucial for good vaginal pH balance. Remember, dehydration might result in an odor reminiscent of ammonia.
• Period products: Using scented pads, wearing period underwear, or not changing your tampon every four to eight hours can affect the smell of your vagina.
• Stress: When you're really stressed with work or life, it can mess with your hormones and make your sweat glands go into overdrive. For some, this might come with a skunky vaginal scent (foul and sulfury, possibly like rotten eggs).
• Tight clothing: Your vulva needs to breathe. Wearing tight, restrictive clothing woven from synthetic fabrics that don't allow for airflow or wick away moisture can disrupt your natural balance and lead to an odor. Cotton is ideal.²

Hygiene Habits, Sweat, or Sex

Your personal hygiene habits, like how often you shower and what products you use to cleanse your body (particularly your vulva), can affect your scent.

Beyond that, sweating during a workout or in hot weather and having sex can temporarily change the aroma of your vagina. This doesn't mean anything's wrong, but letting your intimate area breathe and peeing after sex are wise moves.¹¹ If you're wondering, is feminine wash good for daily use, it depends on the formula. Look for gentle, fragrance-free, and pH-balanced vaginal wash options that support, not disrupt your flora.

How to Support a Healthy, Balanced Scent Naturally

What can you do to keep your vaginal scent balanced and healthy? Consider these pointers:

• Use unscented, pH-balanced cleansers: When washing your private parts, opt for a fragrance-free, pH-balanced formula, like Rael's ultra-gentle foaming vaginal wash. Scented products can irritate this sensitive area or possibly disrupt the pH.¹²
• Avoid douching or overwashing: Douching isn't necessary and can actually throw off your pH. You only need to cleanse the outside (vulva) and the creases at the top of your legs where sweat can accumulate.¹³ You don't need to scrub, either—use a light hand down there.
• Choose breathable underwear: If you want the best underwear for vaginal health, breathability is key, meaning air can pass through the fabric. Cotton is not only breathable but also naturally moisture-wicking, so it manages the sweat that attracts odor-causing bacteria.¹⁴
• Change out of damp clothes quickly: Too much moisture and lack of airflow can mess with your pH or attract yeast and bacteria. To avoid this, be sure to change out of damp clothing as soon as possible, such as a swimsuit or sweat-soaked workout apparel.

Your Natural Scent Is Nothing to Hide

What should your vagina smell like? It should smell like you, whether it's detectable by sensory receptors or not. Every vagina has its own unique scent. Vaginal scent is natural, continuously shifting, and totally human.

Still, being aware of what's normal, how your own scent changes throughout the month, and what could be a cause for concern can help you feel confident about your vaginal health and connected to your body, every day of the month.

Serving up thoughtful self-care solutions, Rael is here to help with better days during every phase of your cycle. From vaginal wash and vulva care products to menstrual tampons, OCS-certified organic pads, and other period products inspired by nature, we've got it all. 

 

Sources:

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