Vaginal Health

Vaginal Odor: What's Normal?

Almost everyone has wondered about it at some point. Here's how to tell a healthy scent from one that's worth a call to your doctor.

Having a scent down there is completely normal. Your vagina is home to a living community of bacteria, and like any living ecosystem, it has a smell of its own. That smell is unique to you, and it naturally shifts with your cycle, your hormones, your workouts and even your mood.

So the question isn't whether your vagina has an odor. It's whether that odor is your usual one, or a sign that something is out of balance.

What does a healthy vagina smell like?

Slightly sour or tangy

This is the most common everyday scent, and it's actually a good sign. A healthy vagina is mildly acidic, with a pH of about 3.8 to 4.5, thanks to Lactobacillus bacteria that produce lactic acid.¹ It's the same family of bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods, which is why the smell can be a little tangy.

A bit metallic, like copper

Around your period, or right after it, a coppery smell is common. Blood contains iron, and it briefly changes the scent and the pH of the vagina. Light spotting after sex can cause the same effect.

Musky or sweaty

Your groin has a high concentration of sweat glands, including the type that reacts to stress and exercise. After a workout, a long day or a stressful moment, a stronger, muskier smell is normal and usually fades after a shower.

Slightly different after sex

Semen is alkaline, so it can temporarily raise vaginal pH and change your scent for a few hours. If the smell goes back to normal within a day, there's nothing to worry about.

When a smell is a reason to see your doctor

A strong, fishy odor

A fishy smell that's noticeably stronger than usual, especially after sex, is the most common sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV happens when other bacteria overgrow and push out the protective Lactobacillus. It's very common and treatable, but it needs a proper diagnosis.² A fishy smell can also be linked to trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection that is also treatable.

A rotten or decaying smell

A very strong, foul smell can mean a tampon or another object has been forgotten inside the vagina. It happens more often than people think. If you can't remove it easily yourself, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Any new smell with other symptoms

Book an appointment if a change in odor comes with itching, burning, pain, unusual discharge (gray, green, yellow, frothy or cottage-cheese-like), pain when you pee, or fever. These can point to an infection that needs treatment.

Everyday habits that help

• Skip douching and scented products. The vagina cleans itself. Douches, scented washes and sprays can wash away good bacteria and upset your pH.¹
• Wash the outside only. Warm water, or a gentle, unscented wash on the vulva, is all you need.
• Choose breathable underwear. Cotton lets the area breathe and keeps moisture from building up.
• Change out of sweaty or wet clothes quickly. Gym leggings and swimsuits create a warm, damp spot where odor-causing bacteria thrive.
• Change tampons and pads regularly, following the instructions on the pack.
• Support your good bacteria. A daily vaginal probiotic with Lactobacillus strains can help support a balanced vaginal flora and healthy pH.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.