Smelly Discharge: Vaginal Odors, Smell & Scent

A lot of adolescent girls like you may feel insecure about bad-smelling odour, or wonder if the people around you can tell if you have your period. Sometimes this feeling of insecurity can prevent you from socializing and enjoying your life. So what are the myths and realities of feminine odours and scents? And what’s the secret to fresh confidence?

intimate scent

Wrong! Every girl has an intimate scent… a healthy scent that’s unique to you. It is usually so mild that no one notices it except you. Unless there’s a problem, you will not smell bad. So there’s really nothing to be embarrassed about!
 

Your intimate scent changes at different times in your menstrual cycle, under the influence of hormones. It also changes throughout the day. For instance, when you come out of the shower, the scent is unnoticeable. Right after gym class, it becomes slightly stronger because of all the sweat on your skin. But that’s not all! Did you know that your intimate scent is also influenced by what you eat? Research shows that consuming whole grains, fruits and vegetables can make you smell nicer. 

Remember: It's important that you become familiar with your natural scent so you can notice any sudden or weird changes, which may be a sign of a problem.

Cause of a Foul Smelling Discharge

Your intimate scent results from the activity of good bacteria that clean your vagina. That’s why your body keeps producing vaginal discharge.

How to smell fresher?

Wrong! If you want to smell fresh and stay fresh, simply follow the “3H rule”:

1. Be Hygienic:
   • Keep your intimate area well-groomed to prevent unpleasant odours.
   • Wear panty liners to absorb any vaginal discharge during the day.
   • Don’t use scented soaps or perfume to mask the smell.
   • They will irritate your vagina and disrupt its natural balance.
   • Use a feminine vaginal wash instead.
2. Eat Healthily:
   • Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can.
   • Avoid consuming too much fat or sugar.
   • Favour yoghurts because they contain good bacteria that your vagina needs to maintain its healthy balance.
3. Stay Hydrated:
   • Drink plenty of water to flush away bad bacteria.

Odour from period

Wrong! When you have your period, you shed blood as well as parts of your uterine lining. So it’s only natural that these substances when in contact with air, produce a distinct odor. But don’t worry. If you respect the rules of intimate hygiene, you will feel as fresh as you do on a regular day. Just remember to change your pad every 2 to 3 hours, to shower regularly and to use intimate wipes for extra cleanliness.