Vaginal odor is one of the major problems of most women globally. Every woman wants to have a healthy and happy vagina. We don’t just invest in expensive lipsticks and brushes, but we also invest in good feminine hygiene products to feel clean and refreshed.

Let’s discuss some common causes of vaginal odor before thinking about trying out odor treatments.

Causes of Vaginal Odor

Infection– Women who have bacterial vaginosis, also known as vaginal bacteriosis tend to have an unpleasant emanating from their privates. This infection is mostly experienced by women of childbearing age. Having a sexual intercourse with a new partner is one of the reasons of acquiring the infection although it’s not considered a sexually transmitted infection. Yeast infection can lead to discharge, soreness and itching.
Foods you eat– According to research, if you love consuming foods with strong unfamiliar scents such as broccoli, pepper, garlic, onions and cheese, then you’ll surely notice a change in the smell of your vagina. Although some researchers suggest using garlic to treat unwanted vagina odor, instead of eating it, you can try putting fresh garlic inside your vagina for a few minutes. If irritation occurs, then it’s advisable to discontinue.
Sweat –The odour from your V area tends to be smelly if you are sweaty down there. Like your armpits, eyelids and ear canals, your vagina also has apocrine sweat glands which secrete fluid with the presence of bacteria which can cause fishy vaginal odor.
Hormones– During ovulation and when you’re having your period, your hormone changes. During menopausal stage, you may experience a smelly and watery discharge because your estrogen level is low.
Effective Home Remedies To Get Rid of Vaginal Odour
Apple Cider Vinegar

Bacteria presence is one of the reasons why vagina smells, so you need something with antibacterial and antiseptic properties such as apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best choices to eliminate vaginal odor, either by drinking or having a warm bath with it. For menopausal women, it’s natural to have low estrogen levels and less acidity.

ACV contains the much needed acidity and antiseptic quality to combat the bacteria.

What to do:

Mix a glass of water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily. If you don’t like the strong taste of vinegar, a tablespoon is okay. Or you can mix it with honey.
A warm bath can be comfort your vagina. Try mixing two cups of apple cider vinegar in warm bath water and soak in it for 20 -25 minutes to kill the bacteria.
Yogurt

Yogurt is healthy not only for you but for your vagina too. Yogurt contains lactobacillus bacteria, a good kind of bacteria that help fight candida infection, considered one of the common reasons of having vaginal odor.

What to do:

Eat unsweetened plain yogurt every day. Try probiotic supplements.
If you don’t like the taste of yogurt, you can try soaking a tampon in your yogurt and insert the tampon in your body. Rinse and remove the tampon after two to three hours.
Baking Soda

Aside from being useful in baking cakes and pies, baking soda is also used as a cleaning agent to absorb odors by neutralizing pH levels.

Baking soda neutralizes your vaginal pH level, eliminating yeast infection and foul odour.

What to do:

Add one-half cup of baking soda in your warm bath water and soak in it for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Citrus and Vitamin C

Apart from boosting our immune system, eating citrus fruits such as oranges, pineapples, grapefruits, lemons, cranberries, is also beneficial in flushing out toxins from your body and combating vaginal infections. Bacteria could not survive for so long in body with strong immune system.

What to do:

Eat Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, pineapples, cranberries and lime.
Fenugreek

Fenugreek helps balance your hormones which helps lessen vaginal discharge and its unpleasant odor. Another health benefit is it helps in regulating your irregular menstruation cycle.

What to do:

Make a herbal tea out of fenugreek seeds. Just boil the seeds, strain them and drink the tea with an empty stomach.
Soak fenugreek seeds on the water overnight. Strain the seeds and drink the water early in the morning.
Vaginal Health Tips
Here are additional tips to feel fresh and get rid of foul odor down there;

Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks

Sugary foods and drinks can encourage overgrowth of candida. Candida is a type of yeast infection that causes irritation, itching and unpleasant vaginal odor. You also have to consume less pasta and other foods that are rich in carbohydrates because they promote yeast growth.

Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of water has many health benefits. It helps flush out the bad bacteria and the toxins present in your body.

Less bacteria means less infection and no more worries about discharge and vaginal odor. Stay hydrated.

Wear cotton panties

You sweat in every physical activity that you engage in. You are aware of your sweaty armpits, wet back and your sweaty groin. Cotton fabric panties and absorb your sweat and allow for air circulation.

Keep your vulva ventilated and avoid moisture as much as possible. Keep your vaginal area clean and dry.

Avoid using scented feminine wash

Girls are attracted to scented feminine wash products which can do more harm to your vagina than good. Retain the natural scent of your vagina instead of washing it with scented products to avoid irritation and disrupting its natural pH level and infection.

Eat balanced diet

What you consume in turn affects your physical and mental health. Although your body needs carbohydrates, but excessive intake can cause yeast growth.

Source: http://www.healthdiary365.com/2017/11/06/how-to-get-rid-of-vaginal-odor-causes-and-effective-home-remedies/