Normal vaginal odor and how to maintain vaginal health

The normal smell of Miss V doesn't smell like a flower. Many people think that a healthy vagina smells good, but that's not the case. The smell of Miss V can even change according to the menstrual cycle and lifestyle.

Vagina or Miss V has a distinctive aroma and can be different for every woman. Normal vaginal odor can vary throughout the menstrual cycle. In addition, the smell of Miss V can also change due to pregnancy, consumption of certain foods, after sex or exercise

If the change in the smell of Miss V is not accompanied by other complaints, such as sore or itching in the vagina, itching, and pain during or after intercourse, then this usually indicates that the vagina is in a normal state.

Characteristics of Normal Miss V Smell

The normal smell of Miss V is influenced by the level of acidity or pH of the vagina. This is because the vagina is inhabited by various types of good bacteria (normal flora) which function to protect the female sex organs from microorganisms that cause infection, such as bad bacteria, fungi, and parasites. If the vaginal acidity is disturbed, the vagina will be more susceptible to infection.

In a healthy vagina, the normal smell of Miss V can smell like this:

1. Slightly sour

The normal smell of Miss V can be a bit sour. Some people describe it as smelling like fermented foods, such as yogurt, tapai, and vinegar. Sometimes, vaginal odor is also called a little fishy like fresh fish.

Under normal conditions, the vagina is acidic, with a pH of around 3.8–4.5. This smell comes from the presence of Lactobacilli bacteria which function to maintain vaginal acidity and prevent the growth of germs, fungi and parasites that cause disease in the vagina.

2. Slightly sweet or bitter

The normal smell of Miss V can also smell a little sweet or bitter. This aroma is usually said to be similar to the aroma of sugarcane or ginger water. This vaginal odor generally indicates that the pH of the vagina is changing slightly, but is still within normal limits.

Besides that, sometimes this change in smell can also occur due to the use of feminine hygiene products, especially those that contain certain fragrances or aromas.

3. Like metal

A metallic vaginal odor is usually experienced when you are menstruating. This is because blood contains iron, so it smells like metal.

However, if Miss V smells metallic outside of menstruation, this condition may originate from small abrasions or cuts due to penetration of the penis or sex toys during intercourse.

4. Like body odor

The smell of Miss V which is like body odor can be experienced when you are stressed. When stressed, the sweat glands including those in the intimate area become more active. The sweat is actually odorless. Odor appears when sweat mixes with bacteria in the vagina.

Apart from being stressed, Miss V, which smells like body odor, can also be experienced after you sweat a lot due to heat or exercise.

You need to know, if the normal vaginal odor as described above is accompanied by clear or white vaginal discharge, thick textured and not sticky, not itchy or painful, you also don't need to worry because this is also a normal condition.

Even though it smells sour, the smell of Miss V shouldn't be overpowering, let alone fishy or rotten. Miss V that smells fishy and is accompanied by yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge, irritation, or itching, this can be a symptom of a vaginal infection.

How to Maintain Vaginal Health

The smell of Miss V can describe the health of your vagina. Therefore, to keep Miss V smelling normal and your vagina healthy, you need to take the following steps to maintain Miss V health:

• Clean Miss V using warm water by washing from the vagina to the anus, especially after urinating or defecating. Drying the vagina is also done from the same direction so that bacteria from the anus do not move to the vagina.
• Use cotton underwear and not too tight. Cotton material absorbs sweat more, so Miss V doesn't get damp easily. A moist vagina is an ideal condition for bacteria and fungi that cause infection to grow.
• Change your underwear immediately when it gets wet, for example when you sweat a lot or after swimming.
• Change pads regularly during menstruation.
• Always urinate after sexual intercourse and practice safe sexual behavior, namely by using a condom and not changing partners.

Basically, every woman's vagina does have its own distinctive smell. This normal vaginal odor does not need to be removed by using special soap or cleaning products because it can actually remove the good bacteria in the vagina and cause irritation.

If you find that Miss V has a different scent, usually this condition will disappear by itself in a few days.

However, if the smell of Miss V is bothersome or accompanied by other symptoms that lead to an abnormal odor, or accompanied by other complaints, such as vaginal itching or pain, vaginal pain during intercourse, pain after urinating, and fever, then You need to see a doctor immediately.

The doctor will conduct an examination to find out the cause of the unpleasant odor in Miss V. Once the cause is known, then the doctor can determine the appropriate treatment.

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