Home Remedies to Cure Feminine Odor

All women have at least some amount of natural vaginal odor. However, if the smell becomes too unpleasant or strong, the situation could become quite an embarrassing one. At times, vaginal odor may also be a symptom of an infection. When this occurs, the abnormal smell is usually accompanied by irritation, severe itching and vaginal discharge.

Causes of Vaginal Odor

There are several different factors that could cause you to develop unpleasant vaginal odor and some of them are more serious than the others. These include:

Bacterial vaginosis, which occurs because of an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina
Douching or excessive washing
Exposure to strong chemicals in soaps and detergents
Lack of adequate hygiene
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases such as gonorrhea, trichomoniasis or chlamydia
Using the same tampon for a long period of time
Wearing clothes that are too tight
Yeast infections

Though it is not very common, at times, vaginal odor could be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as:

Cervical cancer
Vaginal cancer
Recto-vaginal fistula

There is no scientific evidence to prove that the consumption of alcohol can lead to a persistent vaginal odor in women.

Since some of the causes of vaginal odor require immediate medical attention, it is important that you consult a doctor if the odor persists or if you notice other symptoms like burning, itching and discharge.

Treating Vaginal Odor

Most instances of vaginal odor can easily be cured with the help of simple home remedies and lifestyle changes. Given below are a few simple home remedies to cure feminine odor:

Apple Cider Vinegar: Add 1 or 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to a tub of warm water and soak in it for about half an hour or so. The antibacterial properties present in this ingredient eliminate the odor-causing bacteria from the vaginal area.
Tea Tree Oil: Mix two drops of tea tree oil in 6 ounces of water. Dip a piece of cotton in the solution and apply it to the affected area. This oil contains antibacterial properties, which can get rid of harmful vaginal bacteria.
Yogurt: Apply some plain and unflavored yogurt on to a clean tampon and insert it into the vagina for a few hours. The probiotics present in this ingredient help balance the microorganisms in the vaginal area. Rinse the area properly after removing the tampon.
Garlic: Wrap a few pieces of garlic in a piece of clean gauze and insert it into your vagina for a few hours. The strong antibacterial properties present in this ingredient will cause the odor to disappear.

A few lifestyle measures are also very helpful in curing vaginal odor, some of which include:

Avoiding fragrant soaps, body washes and douches
Wearing clothes (especially undergarments) that are loose and made of cotton
Following a healthy diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day
Cutting down on consumption of foods that contain yeast or sugar

While most of the remedies and lifestyle measures mentioned above are quite safe if used correctly, it is best to check with a doctor before trying any of them. It is also important to visit a doctor if these steps do not cure the problem within a week or so.

References

Hillard PA. Vaginal signs and symptoms: Vaginal discharge. In: Hillard PA. The 5-minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:48
Husain A, et al. Recto-vaginal fistula. In: Hillard PA. The 5-minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:162

answered by G M

Vaginal odor and alcohol

Yes alcohol specially wine and higher alcoholic drinks can bring vaginal odour
This happens as the alcohol splits up fermenting and many other tissue changes occur wheraby blood has more OH ions and thereby the typical smell arises from the vagina.

answered by D M K

Question on vaginal odor and alcohol

Can alcohol cause persistant vaginal odor?