We all suffer from a strange smell down under, unfortunately. Can that hurt? We discuss the most common causes and ways to get rid of the smell so you don't have to worry about your intimates.
We all suffer from it from time to time:an odor in your intimate zone that you cannot explain. Fortunately, there are a lot of (innocent) reasons why it smells different down there than you are used to. We have listed the most common causes for you, so that you do not have to worry if you smell something unusual and know how to get rid of the odor.
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Do you smell a light fishy odor? Then you may have a bacterial infection. A bacterial vaginal infection is common and can be caused by a variety of factors, from washing yourself too much or using perfumed soap to menstruation, sex, birth control, different antibiotics and your diet. Fortunately, it is easy to remedy with a vaginal medicine, such as a gel, which you can get at the pharmacy.
A fungal infection sometimes also causes a different odor. However, that is not the most noticeable symptom that you can identify the infection by, because a fungal infection is often odorless. Do you suffer from irritation and a burning feeling down under? And is this also accompanied by a light beer-like smell? Then you probably have a yeast infection. Fortunately, this infection is also easy to treat with a vaginal ointment or tablet from the pharmacy.
As crazy as it may sound, it's common for women to forget to take out their tampons. It is also possible that you left it in there too long. Leaving a tampon in too long can cause an infection and foul-smelling discharge. In addition, with prolonged infection, it can also lead to uterine pain and fever. The solution? Simple:remove the tampon in time. For example, you can remind yourself by turning on a timer on your phone.
You have probably eaten asparagus, onions, pineapple or something else with a strong smell and then also down under smoke. That may be because certain foods can affect the smell of your sweat and other bodily fluids. The advantage? This is completely normal and will go away on its own. Unless of course you eat more of these products…;-)
Do you smell a metallic smell? We probably don't need to explain where that comes from. Not only does the menstrual blood have a metallic smell, it can also cause the pH level of your vagina to be a bit different – read, more acidic – so that you will smell a stronger, not so fresh air. Fortunately, this odor also disappears automatically as soon as you no longer menstruate, so no worries .
Not only can menstrual blood affect the pH value of your vagina, semen also causes a higher acid level. In addition, when combined with perfumed cleansers, it can also stimulate the growth of certain bacteria. Add to that the bed sweats and your bed partner's bodily fluids and you get a medley of scents after an intimate moment. These odors usually linger for a short time.
Several STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause a number of symptoms. Think of a burning sensation when urinating and a yellow-green discharge with a strange odor. What's the best thing to do about it? Visit your doctor for appropriate advice, you will probably be prescribed antibiotics to help you get rid of your problem.
Have you been wearing mostly synthetic underwear lately? Or are you just wearing something different than you're used to? Some materials retain more heat and moisture, creating the optimal environment for bacteria to grow. Did the unpleasant smell arise after you changed your underwear? Then it might be a good idea to switch back to the fabrics you wore before or take a good look at the fabric of your new panties.
This one is probably obvious, but just like your armpits, your intimate parts can also sweat a lot during an intensive exercise session and therefore start to smell. Those nice slim-fit leggings that you wear during your workout probably don't help with that either. The solution? Take a shower immediately after exercise and avoid (strongly) perfumed body washes; water and mild cleaners work fine.
When you're stressed, your apocrine glands (one of the types of sweat glands in your body) produce a milky fluid. If this fluid mixes with the natural bacteria in your vagina, it may smell slightly different than usual. As soon as the stress in your life decreases, the unpleasant odor will also disappear. Time to de-stress!
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