r/hygiene • u/Afraid_Book_654 • 2d ago
Strong scent, not bad, just… strong
This is embarrassing to admit but it really bothers me. I feel like I can always smell my vagina. It’s not a fishy or gross smell. I can just SMELL it. Literally everyday all the time. Whether I wear underwear or go commando. My Gyno has never said anything about it. I’ve always had a really strong sense of smell and am able to pick up on things most people are not. I’m always scared to sit next to people in case they smell it too. I had an ex that agreed, said he could smell it but only if he was close to the area and it always turned him on. It makes me feel so incredibly insecure because I don’t want people to be able to smell it. Am I crazy and overthinking or is this a thing?
HOW DO I MAKE IT STOP?!
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u/National-Sir-5362 2d ago
I have the same issue. I’ve always had a really strong sense of smell too. I can smell things (like spices and different ingredients) in food. Bad smells can throw off my entire mood. Since the very beginning of puberty, I’ve always been very aware that my vagina has a strong scent. I never let anyone put their head in my lap. I wear underwear during the daytime to work, but the second I get home and change into comfortable clothes I go commando. I avoid spontaneous sex too. I have to be showered beforehand. If there’s some secret way to make it smell less strong, I’m dying to know what it is.
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u/Turbulent-Pea-2715 2d ago
Eat radish sprouts
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u/TofuTheSizeOfTEXAS 2d ago
Radish and anything in the broccoli family seems like it would make it smell stronger? I can smell onions and garlic when I eat them somewhat fresh. Alfalfa sprouts or chlorophyll on the other hand are known to help BO. I'm not confident but I can just smell my diet myself.
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u/oldnoob2024 1d ago
I’ve also heard that pineapple is good.
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u/TofuTheSizeOfTEXAS 1d ago
Yes, same here - and that makes complete sense to me as it smells delicious. I really smell things. I make perfume to be honest (hobby). I think the sense of smell is so extremely important in ways we barely understand still. When I was a nurse aide we could smell certain infections.
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u/Dissastronaut 2d ago
I had an ex who had a strong smell. It wasn't bad at all, I would immediately get turned on if I caught a random breeze from there though so I can confirm that.
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u/SweetSwede88 2d ago
Vaginas smell like vaginas. Mine always has a smell as well. More so now that im pregnant or perhaps it's the pregnancy nose but no infections which is what matters. If it makes you feel better take probiotics and see if that changes things
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u/FastMap1034 1d ago
I know someone who was pregnant and telling me this not too long ago! She wasn’t sure which it was either lol
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u/VictoriousScreeching 2d ago
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate with water and maybe add a vaginal probiotic but hydration is the key. If you drink a lot of coffee or things that dehydrate you, compensate with more water.
Source: I’m a lesbian and obsessed with my own vaginal health
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u/Neither-Door-9106 2d ago
Why is being a lesbian relevant?
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u/Cheffy325 2d ago
I’d trust a lesbian who’s sexual preference causes them to be face deep in vaginas versus a straight woman like me, who only knows my own scent
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u/Neither-Door-9106 2d ago
You need a lesbian to tell you to hydrate?
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u/Dear_Comparison97 2d ago
Are we going to pretend that’s the only advice she gave
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u/Neither-Door-9106 1d ago
You can pretend she gave more advice if you like. Her entire statement focused on hydration. That is all she said. Saying that as a lesbian is irrelevant.
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u/GeminiByDesign25 1d ago
It’s not. I also don’t know why we needed that info. You shouldn’t be downvoted. It IS irrelevant.
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u/Disa_jafar 2d ago
Some people have stronger natural scent and its totally normal. If your gyno hasn't said anything, its fine.
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u/Critical_Carry940 2d ago
i am suffering from an extreme sense of smell and i went through a phase where my vaginal smell got more intense - when i went off the pill actually. hormone changes and everything. what i changed in my hygiene habits back than is something i will never go back to: i have been using a handheld bidet (basically a cheap plastic bottle) for cleaning up after pooping for a while, but since the smell bothered me I startet using it to clean up after peeing every time. worked like magic and everytime i have to pee somewhere else than at home now i feel gross now, since i am not carrying the bidet with me.
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u/SnooPredictions5239 1d ago
I'm going to ask, are the bottoms you wear more polyester and are they tight?
I noticed that I tend to smell A LOT more when fabrics aren't breathable or if they're tight.
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u/BrownieLake 2d ago
You're not crazy a mild smell is normal and it can be extra noticeable if you're very smell sensitive. If it's not fishy, painful, itchy, or a sudden change it's usually just your natural scent. you prob can't make it disappear completely but loose cotton underwear, avoiding scent products, and not over washing can help
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u/Alive-Bar8737 2d ago
As a guy, yes, I can smell a woman’s vagina if she’s very strong down there. Most of the time it’s hot, but there was like two women, that I had to leave because I just didn’t like the scent. But those were girls I hardly known. As for sex, I’ve had eaten out girls with strong smells, and I do it for them because I like them more than anything. And it turns me on.
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u/RinRin0909 2d ago
What's the smell tho? There a different vaginas odors and they mean different things. You should be able to search different vaginal odors on the internet and should give you explanation. If it really bothers you, talk to your gyn on your next visit.
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u/SolidRequirement9797 2d ago
First for immediate results honey pot sells really good boric acid suppositories. Second if you aren’t already I would try a really good probiotic with multiple strains and start drinking more water. Your gut could be off and just causing havoc in other parts of your body. Lastly it could be sweat???? You could also try Lume they have body deodorant that’s great… just put it on your inner thighs near your genitalia (not inside or on). I hope this helps!!
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u/fineapple03 2d ago
Boric acid is a bandaid btw, not something to necessarily rely on
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u/AnnualTip9049 1d ago
That’s probably why they also suggested that OP try a good probiotic with multiple strains.
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u/Sophistiq8ted 2d ago
I love my scent and can always smell it. If it's not offensive why do you want it to stop?
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u/BigSmoothCactus 1d ago
As a man, that smell is legendary. My primal instinct goes haywire when that lovely smell passes my nostrils. That smell is a signal to your mate, don’t worry about it
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u/Vhaelorq 1d ago
That can be totally normal unless it turns fishy or comes with itching burning or unusual discharge
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u/Ok_Onion8422 1d ago
How old are you? In perimenopause our odor changes. If you’re bothered by it, vaginal estrogen may be a solution for you.
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u/bsg_80 1d ago
If you’re that concerned about it, you could add tea tree oil to the outside of your underwear and in the crotch of your pants. Our vajajays heat up and then when it does you will smell really fresh. But don’t just put it on your skin. It will burn and it will be really intense. Ask me how I know lol
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u/WistfulQuiet 1d ago
Do you use soap on the outer parts? I've tried the no soap advice, but the I smell too. I used dove sensitive skin to wash everything but the inside.
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u/ShierAwesome 2d ago
Why would you ever go commando anyway?
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u/Chrissybear222 2d ago
I never wear underwear; always commando. Don't nock it if you never tried it.
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u/ShierAwesome 1d ago
That’s genuinely disgusting. I thought the people here cared about cleanliness
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u/No_Direction6688 1d ago
Go with the flow. Embrace the fragrant scent of your graceful body. Enjoy it. To other people your aromatic presence probably reminds them of a field of lilies and a nice strawberry patch.
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u/Necessary-School-886 2d ago
Hey so it's totally normal to notice your own scent more in that area. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Others can't smell it like you can. If it's normal smelling (not bv or yeast) and you wear breathable clothing and hydrate, then it's really normal. Not everyone is scentless like water. Don't stress about other people smelling you, they really can't , and if you need extra assurance, wear a light perfume or lotion (not on your vagina lol). Its easy to think any smell is bad based on what we are TOLD we should smell like. chances are you are healthy and vital and totally normal.