Scent of a Woman

As women, we have a keener sense of smell than men. We also tend to be a bit more sensitive about our own personal odors and scents. And of course, some advertisers have picked up on this and marketed odor-masking and odor-eliminating products to female audiences.

From perfumes and body sprays, to antiperspirants and products designed to address vaginal odors, the message is that a fresh powdery or floral scent is best. But should vaginal odor really be a big concern for women? The answer is, generally, no.

Basically Normal

The vagina—even a healthy, clean one—has a natural odor, just like your breath has a natural odor. Whether that smell is pleasant or offensive often depends on health and hygiene habits.

In fact, every woman has a vaginal scent that is normal for her, and each woman’s scent may change slightly throughout her cycle.

When it comes to menstruation, there’s really no such thing as a scent-free period. Menstrual blood can develop a distinctive odor when it comes in contact with oxygen or air. However, that “period smell” is not usually detected by anyone but you.

Instead of worrying, women should become acquainted with their natural scents at various times of the month. In doing so, they’ll be in a better position to recognize out-of-the-ordinary odors, the ones that could indicate an infection or other medical problem. A dramatic change in vaginal odor, such as the development of a fishy smell, can indicate an infection or even an STD. If you detect an unusual odor, see your physician immediately.

Some Basics For Normal

To maintain your natural womanly scent, follow these “scent-sible” tips.

• Change your protection often. Frequently changing your pad or tampon—every three to four hours—helps to avert a stronger-than-normal “period smell.”

• Keep it real. Wearing underwear, pantyhose, swimsuits and exercise clothing made from synthetic fabrics like Spandex, Lycra and nylon can create a moist sweaty environment that may promote bacteria overgrowth and causes vaginal odor. Opt for cotton fabrics, and avoid wearing sweaty workout clothes and wet bathing suits for too long.

• Avoid douches. Women douche because they mistakenly believe it provides them with odor-reducing benefits. But douching can actually create the opposite effect. Douching can change the delicate balance of vaginal flora (organisms that live in the vagina) and acidity needed for a healthy vagina. Plus if you have a vaginal infection, douching can push the bacteria and infection up into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

For these reasons, most doctors and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women do not douche. They say it’s best to let your vagina clean itself, which it does so naturally by making mucous.

• Wash up. Daily showering or bathing with warm water and gentle, unscented soaps will help keep the vagina clean and healthy.

Heaven Scent
There’s no need to mask your own vaginal smell, just be sure to keep things clean. When your vagina is healthy, you should feel nothing but good about its natural, individual scent.