'The vagina has a natural bacterial flora that's there to keep a good balance,' explains Dr Rosén. It's because of this natural bacteria that the cervical mucus in the vagina always has a smell. You may also experience changes throughout your menstrual cycle as the pH balance in your vagina changes.
Many people find that they suffer from urge incontinence or stress incontinence, particularly as they age or after having children. This incontinence means that urine leaks onto your pants, causing an ammonia smell.
Your vaginal scent can change in response to sex, menstruation, pregnancy, etc. However, a strong, unpleasant vaginal odor with a discharge may be a sign of a health problem like vaginitis. A course of antibiotics is often all that's needed to treat the condition and get rid of the smell.
We get it — it's a common problem, but sometimes it can make you self-conscious (“wait, can other people smell that, too?!”) and affect your confidence. Inner thigh odor is caused by various factors, including excessive sweating, fungal infections, poor hygiene, and hormonal changes.
Discharge is typically clear or milky white. A person may have clear, slimy or slippery discharge before ovulation, during sexual arousal, or during pregnancy.
A healthy vagina does makes a discharge—slippery and clear or whitish when moist, may turn yellowish when dried, and has little odor. This healthy discharge may also be thicker during some times of the month.
Drink a glass of water mixed with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily. Taking a bath in water laced with apple cider vinegar can also fight off bacteria and toxins that lead vaginal odor and restore the pH balance of the vaginal secretionsi.
The acidity and antioxidants in cranberries, as well as citrus fruits, can help reduce vaginal odor by discouraging bacterial growth. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you think your vaginal scent or discharge is abnormal.
Our vaginas are home to billions of bacteria and the balance of this bacteria changes constantly, creating different aromas varying from musty and fermented to coppery or sweet smelling. These smell variations are likely a result of your menstrual cycle, your hygiene habits, or just you.
Proper hygiene and wearing absorbent products can help manage this. Incontinence: Incontinence, whether urge or stress incontinence, can result in urine leaks onto your pants, causing an ammonia smell. Using incontinence pads or underwear designed to neutralise odours can significantly help.
The truth is that when everything's normal, no one else smells any odors from a girl's vagina. If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. But even then, it's unlikely that people around her will notice it.
Still, it's possible that things like diet, medical conditions or a bacterial buildup on the skin could be causing odor, Kopelman says. Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive sweating, could also contribute, because bacteria thrives in moist environments.
To help eliminate bacterial vaginosis naturally, consider taking probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus species, to restore vaginal flora balance, and using natural remedies like boric acid suppositories or tea tree oil.
Proper Undergarments: Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing to let the area breathe. Safe Sex Practices: Use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause odors. Diet and Probiotics: Eating a balanced diet and taking probiotics can support the natural bacterial balance in the vagina.
Pee that smells like ammonia
Urine showing signs of a UTI may also be cloudy or even a bit bloody. Peeing may become painful, too — a symptom made even worse by the fact that you may feel the need to urinate more often.