Reader Question – Vag Smell
“Hi Shay! Love reading your blog, I think you provide a wonderful service for all of us in the uninformed masses. I have a V question (although I don’t have a V myself ;^)). Every girl I’ve ever been with has had a scent to her vagina, but I heard a doctor on Howard Stern’s radio show state that the vagina is NOT supposed to have any scent. He called it vaginosis or something and said it was casued by bacteria and not normal. I know a lot of guys like some light scent on a girl (not overpowering), it seems natural to me. So is it natural for the land down under to have a scent or not? Is it unhealthy? How would a woman get rid of it safely?”
Wow, I wonder how many women freaked out when they heard that doctor on Stern’s show!
As you correctly observed, all women have a signature vaginal scent; it’s natural, it’s normal, and it’s (usually) sexy. The scent mainly comes from the sweat glands down there and, to a varying degree, from her fluids; it also can vary slightly throughout the month because of hormonal fluctuations. It’s usually a light musky smell, sometimes a little sweet – in fact, it’s similar to the scent that you guys have around your junk too. ^_^
I suspect/hope that the doc on Stern’s show was referring to the more pungent (and thus more noticeable) slightly fishy smell that a vag can take on when a bacterial infection is present. Actually, it’s a good idea for women to be aware of their own natural healthy vag smell, that way they will notice when it changes dramatically and will know to potentially seek treatment. (Women who are prone to infections have reported being able to tell whether they have a bacterial or yest infection based on smell alone!)
So, in conclusion, a healthy vag will indeed have a scent; it’s natural and no one shouldn’t do a thing to change it (because she’ll likely end up with an infection if she does try to mess with it). However, if the scent is strong and kinda overpowering, that can usually be remedied with extra showers and careful cleaning with a ph balanced soap (slightly more acidic soap is better).
Hope that clears things up ^_~
Posted: March 10th, 2008 under health, reader question, vaginas.
Comments
Comment from Anonymous
Time March 11, 2008 at 3:15 am
As a husband and caregiver to a beautiful disabled woman, I often use oder to determine relative health. The natural musky oder indicating good health and an otherwise unpleasant odor can indicate either a bladder or yeast infection. Its rare when there is no odor at all. In fact, I rather enjoy the smell at certain times of the month. It not only can be a turn on for me but also an indication of her readiness, as well.
Comment from Old Bogus
Time March 11, 2008 at 5:40 am
My wife, who has fetish about being clean before sex, normally has a normal sexy vaginal odor but I am often the first to notice when her period is imminent: her vagina changes odor! This embarrasses her like it is some kind of failure!
Often a woman will develop a very fishy odor after vaginal sex as the ejaculate begins to metabolize (polite word). I recommend a douche.
But no odor doesn’t seem normal in my experience.
Comment from Shay
Time March 11, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Gad – totally! Wouldn’t that sorta take away it’s charm? I mean, you might as well be licking a fleshlight.
Anon – exactly! Thanks for contributing
OB- No, you DO NOT recommend a douche!
http://shayssexcolumn.blogspot.com/2006/09/vagina-and-douche.html
Comment from Shay
Time March 11, 2008 at 2:22 pm
also:
http://shayssexcolumn.blogspot.com/2007/04/reader-question-spermy-vaginas-not-for.html
Comment from Old Bogus
Time March 11, 2008 at 8:14 pm
OK. I learnt something!
But, being an accomplished perv, I am partial to a postcoital oral cleanup anyway! If it is done right, I get a nice taste of combined juices!
Comment from badside
Time March 12, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Shay, Thanks for clearing the air on that for us! ;^D I definitely notice a change in a woman’s cycle based on her scent.
Comment from Gadfly
Time March 11, 2008 at 2:31 am
Well … if a vagina had no taste or aroma whatsoever … wouldn’t that be just freaky as hell? Like … I dunno … some sort of android / pod person pussy O_o