How to Make Your Vagina Smell Good

Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: June 13, 2024 Approved

There’s no one “right” way that a vagina should smell—everyone has their own natural odor, and everyone's odor is different. It’s also actually normal for your vagina to put off different odors sometimes, like when you’re on your period or after sex.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} However, if you’re noticing strong or persistent odors that aren’t normal, that could be a sign that something isn’t right. Keep reading for tips on how to keep your vagina smelling good and what to do if you think something is causing bad smells.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Practice Good Hygiene

Download Article

Wash regularly. You need to shower and wash yourself regularly to smell good! For most people, a good guideline is to gently wash the area around the vagina every day.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source} Washing yourself will help combat a buildup of bacteria on the skin, which causes odor just like it does anywhere else on the body.
Your vagina is very sensitive. Using the wrong types of soap can cause irritation and bad odor. Avoid soaps that are heavily perfumed, contain too many unnatural ingredients, or have antibacterial properties. ^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source} These upset the natural balance of your body. Instead, use natural soaps which are labeled as being fragrance-free.

Advertisement
The only time you should douche (wash out your vagina) is if your doctor tells you to. Douching creates a terrible imbalance of your body’s natural bacteria and will almost guarantee that you end up with some kind of infection. The only cleaning that you will need to do will be with basic soap and water on the outside of your body.
Incorrect wiping after using the toilet can lead to infections. Wipe in the correct direction (front to back) and be sure that you are thorough. It is easy to miss the vaginal area and this can leave residue which leads to infections or overgrowth of bacteria.^{[4]
X
Research source}
Be careful about the products that you use around your vagina. Using lubricants that are not water- or silicone-based can cause infections, and you should always clean lube off once you’re done using it.^{[5]
X
Research source} Anything with heavy fragrance can cause infections easily, so avoid products which aim to make your vagina smell like flowers. This includes lotions.
6
Wear clean, fresh, correctly fitting underwear. This is a very important part of keeping your vagina clean and healthy. Wearing the same set of underwear for more than 24 hours may quickly create an imbalance of bacteria.^{[6]
X
Research source} You will also want to wear the right type of underwear. Your underwear needs to breathe, since an overly moist environment will cause bacterial buildup. Cotton is best. Make sure you do laundry, it can get messy!
- Change your underwear regularly to help prevent any odors.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Quick Solutions

Download Article

1
Use perfume. Yes, using perfume too close to your vagina is a bad idea. However, putting a dab of perfume on the inside of each of your thighs, roughly six inches from the vulva area, is a time-honored way to smell amazing when anyone puts their head down there.
- Your partner will associate musky smells with sex (since this is the type of smell you have naturally) so try to get a generally musky perfume. Sandalwood and vanilla are common “sexy” smells.
2
Get regular exercise or use a sauna to help improve body odor. Sweating can help remove toxins from your skin, so it may help get rid of any bad smells. Just be sure to shower afterwards to rinse off any sweat or bacteria that’s still on your skin.
3
Watch your diet. Your diet can greatly affect your taste and smell. Certain foods tend to affect your body in certain ways, by altering your body’s balance of sugar, bacteria, and chemical compounds. Much like how if you eat a lot of garlic, your skin excretes a garlic smell for several days, you can eat or not eat certain foods to produce a better smell and taste in your vagina. Aim to include some quality sources of protein and fat, as well as a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- You’ll want to start by eating less sugar. A spike in blood sugar can cause yeast infections and buildup, which will cause bad odor.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Avoid eating processed foods or simple carbs, such as pastries, cookies, and table sugar.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}
- Try to drink at least 12 glasses of water a day, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Plain yogurt is considered to be a great way to help people keep a healthy vagina, as it contains the bacteria which naturally occurs in our body to maintain a healthy vagina.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Understand the Causes

Download Article

1
Watch out for infections and diseases. These are the major causes of serious vaginal odor. Examples of such infections and diseases include yeast and bacterial infections (the most common causes), STIs, STDs, or viruses like herpes. Even much more serious problems like some kinds of cancer or internal ruptures can cause vaginal odor. You will need to monitor your body for other signs of illness and if you really feel that your vaginal odor is unnatural, see your doctor.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- One thing to look out for is unusual discharge from your vagina. Brown, green, or chunky white discharges are signs of infection and you should go see your doctor as soon as possible. Just remember that some discharge is normal and healthy but it should not smell.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
2
Be aware that certain sexual practices cause vaginal odor. Any introduction of foreign bacteria can upset the delicate balance in your vagina and so sexual practices can have an effect. Certain practices, in particular, can set off a reaction, namely anal sex before vaginal sex, oral sex, and the use of objects or food as penetrative methods.
- If you wish to engage in these practices, use protection (like a condom or a dental dam) and change it in between activities.
Foreign objects lodged in the vagina will cause your body's immune response to react and try to attack the object. This can cause bad odor as well. Tampons that have been forgotten or left in for too long, pieces of a broken condom, or objects used in sexual play are examples of such causes for odor.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
Be careful to practice proper hygiene. Improper hygiene can lead to a buildup of bacteria around your vagina and vulva. This will cause odor, though it may not necessarily cause an infection. If you want to reduce odor, keep yourself and your clothing clean. Loose clothing can prevent smell too.
Surrounding your vagina with hot water will kill much of your body’s natural bacteria which preserves the delicate balance of your vagina.

How Do You Get Rid Of Vaginal Odor?

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Should I use soap instead of a pre-shave when I shave my pubic hair?

Community Answer

Try using conditioner, it's less painful and you come out with smooth results.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 39 Helpful 255
Question

Is it bad if my discharge is slightly yellow?

Community Answer

You should contact your doctor for professional medical advice if you have noticed a change, or if the discharge smells bad. They will be able to provide treatments for you if there is a problem.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 52 Helpful 120
Question

Is it okay to have white or clear come out from down there with just a little scent to it?

Community Answer

Yes, that is discharge, which is very normal.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 37 Helpful 363

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Even if you don’t like the way you or others in general smell, most people usually enjoy the smell. Their brains associate that smell with getting to see you naked and having sex. Therefore, it really isn’t in your interest to smell like flowers.

Thanks
Helpful 37 Not Helpful 5
Try to avoid vaginal washes, like fragrant soaps, they tend to be bad for your vagina.

Thanks
Helpful 49 Not Helpful 9
Change your menstrual pad before bed and right after you wake up.

Thanks
Helpful 17 Not Helpful 5

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Use caution when shaving your pubic hair! Carefully trimming is fine, but shaving can lead to nicks and ingrown hairs, which may cause itching, pain, and even infection.
Try wearing a panty liner from time to time just to catch discharge—it may help you smell fresher, since you can just remove the panty liner.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Remember that people sometimes lie in order to get what they want. If someone says they don't like the way that you smell (or that you smell really bad), they may just be trying to get out of performing oral sex. If you practice proper hygiene and are free of infection, you shouldn’t have much of a smell at all and either they are lying or very, very sensitive. Consider both possibilities before resorting to any method which may cause more problems than it solves.

Thanks
Helpful 33 Not Helpful 8
Never, ever clean out inside of your vagina using soaps or douching. A little water won't hurt if it gets in while showering or bathing.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1