A vagina should smell like a vagina ya’ll! Odors are absolutely normal and natural. Your vagina is a petri-dish, it is warm and moist which makes it the perfect environment for bacterial growth and equilibrium. Should your vaginal odor reflect that? …It’s hard to tell any one person exactly what their vagina should smell like. This is why it is crucial that you get familiar with your lady parts and stay up to date with your GYN visits. This will help you know what is normal FOR YOU and what is not.

To each her own, every vagina is different. Every vagina smells different and a lot of odors are totally normal. Though there are many odors that can be deemed as normal, there are some that just aren’t right. Some odors are your vagina’s red flashing alarm, saying HELP! ME!!! BITCH!!!!!

What should your vagina smell like? Ladies, a healthy vagina can smell like a lot of things but a Pineapple Fusion or a Summer Breeze Vacation just ain’t one of them! And any product offering you these smells of fruit and flowers are bad news. Totally bad for you, I promise. The smell of your vagina is contingent upon the types of clothes and underwear you wear, your diet, your hygienic habits, your bodily secretions, and the phase you are in your menstrual cycle.

Two main instances when you need to worry about your smell?

When your vagina smells fishy.

The #1 odor women worry about is the “fishy smell”. No one in their right mind deliberately chooses to smell fishy. It’s just gross, right? Three most common reasons you are probably smelling fishy: Not practicing good hygiene, having Trichomoniasis or having Bacterial Vaginosis. Trichomoniasis is an STI, and though it is curable with antibiotics, it brings in a really nasty smell that doesn’t go away in its entirety, even after a good shower. (So practice safe sex…knowing your partner’s status is crucial)

Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance. THIS IS NOT AN STD OR AN STI! But you can get it as a result of one.

It is a bacterial infection you develop as a result of the overgrowth of anaerobic (bad) bacteria in the vagina. Having a new sexual partner increases your risk of BV. This is because you’re introducing his or her bacteria into your microbiome and your vagina now has to adjust and might not have enough good bacteria to combat the new bad ones. There are other ways to get it too. You can pretty much get BV from having unprotected sex with multiple partners, douching, using scented wipes and washes, and even a natural lack of lactobacilli (the good bacteria) in the vagina. The good news is, a trip to your doctor and some medication should clear it up.

When your vagina smells sweet.

The #1 odor women don’t worry about is sweetness. I know it sounds crazy but it’s true! Your vagina can have a slightly sweet smell, which is good. This happens based on your eating habits. But if your vagina smells like a batch of freshly baked cookies, honey-like or beer-like, there is a very high chance that you have a yeast overgrowth. When you have a yeast overgrowth, we say you have a yeast infection. You can get a yeast infection from soooo many things; from vaginal washes and sprays, to sex and antibiotics; even having diabetes. This is why they are so common.

Like I said, vaginas are supposed to have scents! Any every vag has its own, unique smell. You are sometimes going to have scents based on the foods you eat, because what your body metabolizes, sometimes contributes to your scent and the taste of your secretions. THIS DOES NOT MEAN EATING PINEAPPLES WILL MAKE YOU TASTE LIKE PINEAPPLES! It just means that eating a lot beneficial fruits and foods can improve your overall smell and taste.

Research shows that eating acidic fruits like grapefruits, pomegranates, lemons and blueberries can definitely coerce your scent and taste…not that you will smell or taste like the grapefruits and lemons but they will help improve the natural smell and taste you carry. Just like there are foods to improve it, some foods can make it smell and taste bitter and a little unpleasant. These are strong foods and spices like red meat, asparagus, onions and garlic. Everyone’s body is different and everyone’s diet is different. You all don’t eat the same exact things routinely and your where you are in your cycle will also contribute to the scent changes. So you won’t smell the same 24/7, all year ’round.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE TWO MAIN ODORS I MENTIONED, ACCOMPANIED BY ITCHING, PAIN, PAIN DURING SEX, DISCOLORED OR “COTTAGE CHEESE” DISCHARGE, OR BURNING…MAKE NOTE OF IT AND GO TO YOUR DOCTOR ASAP!

Odors you don’t have to worry about.

Tangy Odor: Your vagina naturally has a low pH of about 4.5 and the acidity can also give off a tangy odor. So if it smells a little sour or tangy, don’t freak out.

Metallic Odor: When you’re on your period or spotting, you might experience some metallic odor, this is because of the presence of blood (blood has iron in it).

Sweet Odor: When I say sweet in this case, I don’t mean like those batch of cookies I mentioned ealier. I mean something a little faint. Remember, I said a very slight and subtle, sweet smell is good.

How to stay smelling fresh and healthy.

The best way to stay smelling and feeling fresh is by eating properly (this doesn’t mean we all have to go on keto diets and shit; just have your pizza and sugary drinks in moderation sis). Eat some damn yogurt for a change, I don’t care nasty you think it is.(I say this because most girls I have spoken to, say they hate yogurt) Incorporate fruits in your diet sometimes, especially citrus fruits for their acidity. Keep up with your body hygienically, keep perfumed washes, wipes and sprays away from your vag! I know I say this one alot, but that is because it’s crucial…Visit the GYN routinely and listen to your body!

If you ever do encounter a funny or bad smell.

If you ever detect a really unpleasant smell and it doesn’t go away after a good hose down, just make that appointment with your doctor so you can figure it out with some pro help. And don’t worryyyy, what ever it is…your desert will bloom again.

And remember, there is no one smell that you should have. Your vagina naturally has a low pH of about 4.5 and the acidity can also give off a tangy odor. Also, like all the other creases and folds on the body, your vagina sweats and will give off a slightly sweaty smell. NEITHER of these scents should be going crazy! Get to know your vagina, the closer the relationship, the easier it’ll be to keep her healthy and functioning the way she should.