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
- Cervical cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Recto-vaginal fistula
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.
- 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
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
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