19 Home Remedies for Vaginal Odor

As the name suggests, vaginal odor is any type of odor that comes from the vagina. It should be noted that is it normal for the vagina to have a smell to it, especially if a woman is on her period. It is only when the smell changes or becomes more pronounced that it may point to a health problem. Vaginal odor is not a problem in itself, but it can be a sign or symptom of a vaginal health problem. For example, if your vagina smells like fish, there is likely something wrong.

If your change in vaginal smell is accompanied with a change in the color or texture of your discharge or comes with abdominal pain (unrelated to period cramps) then you should see a doctor as soon as possible, as this is likely a sign of a more serious problem affecting your reproductive organs.

 

Causes

There are various reasons in which vaginal odor might occur. Some of the causes of vaginal odor are common and can be treated easily, while some of the more complex problems will need to be treated by a doctor. Some of the most common causes for changes in vaginal odor are listed below. Causes with an asterisk next to them will need to be properly diagnosed by a doctor.

• Menstrual cycles
• Sex
• Sweating
• Poor Hygiene
• Change in vaginal pH levels
• Yeast infections
• Trichomoniasis*
• Bacterial vaginosis*
• Rectovaginal fistula*
• Cervical or vaginal cancer*

 

Home Remedies for Vaginal Odor

If your vaginal odor is caused by one of the non-asterisked causes in the list above, then you can use the following home remedies below to treat it. However, if your vaginal odor is caused by one of the asterisked causes, then you will need to see a doctor to treat the cause before you will be able to treat your vaginal odor.

 

1. Shower Often

Showering every day or every other day can help to restore your vagina’s natural smell. When you shower, do not douche or use perfumed soaps on your vagina. You can use specialty soaps made to restore the vagina’s pH levels, but that is not necessary. Simply using warm water is helpful enough to clean your vagina.

Taking a shower immediately after exercising can help to prevent and treat vaginal odor. Since vaginal odor can be caused by sweating, showering after exercising, or on days when it is hot out, may be able to help.

2. Cotton Underwear

If you have vaginal odor often, it may be because of your underwear. You are more likely to have vaginal odor if you wear tight underwear or underwear made with synthetic materials. To prevent and treat vaginal odor, simply wear loose cotton underwear.

 

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a powerful essential oil that can kill bacteria and fungi, both of which can sometimes cause vaginal odor. To use this home remedy, mix five drops of tea tree oil in a bath of warm water. Soak in this bath for at least twenty minutes. Do this two or three times each week to get the best results.

 

4. Yogurt

If your vaginal odor is caused by bacteria, then using yogurt may be able to help. The easiest way to use yogurt is to simply eat a cup of yogurt each day until your vaginal smell returns to normal.

Alternatively, you can try rubbing plain yogurt around your vagina or dipping a tampon in plain yogurt and inserting it into your vagina. If you choose to insert the yogurt-covered tampon, only leave it in or about an hour. After which, you should rinse out the vagina with lukewarm water. Use either treatment once a day to see results.

 

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Taking a bath with apple cider vinegar can help return your vagina to its normal pH level, which can make your vagina smell normal again. To use this home remedy, mix two cups of apple cider vinegar in a full bath of warm water. Soak in this bath for at least twenty minutes to see results. Take this bath as often as needed, up to once a day, to see results.

 

6. White Vinegar

White vinegar can also be used in a bath to treat vaginal odor and restore the vagina’s pH level. To use white vinegar in a bath, you will only need to add in 1/2 cup. Also, add in 1/2 of plain table salt. You will only need to soak in this bath for five minutes to see results. However, you will need to do this at least twice a week for your results to stick.

7. Baking Soda Bath

Another bath you can take to normalize your pH levels and your vaginal odor is a baking soda bath. To take a baking soda bath, simply mix 1/2 cup of baking soda in a full bath of warm water. Like all of the other baths on this list, soak in the both for at least twenty minutes to see results. Take this bath as often as needed.

 

8. Garlic

Garlic is one of nature’s many cure-all remedies. To use garlic to treat vaginal odor, all you have to do is add more garlic to your diet. Eating either raw or cooked garlic will work. Try to eat a little bit of garlic (one or two cloves) each day to get the best results.

 

9. Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberries are another food that you can eat raw to cure strange vaginal odors. Simply eat a serving of Indian gooseberries a day to see results. As a bonus, eating Indian gooseberries can also help to treat thick vaginal discharge with sometimes comes with abnormal vaginal smells.

 

10. Neem Rinse

Neem is a herb, that when boiled, can provide you with a cleansing rinse. To use this home remedy, simply boil a handful of neem leaves for about ten minutes. When the water is done boiling, take out the leaves and allow the water to cool. Use the leftover water to rinse your vagina with once every other day to get the best results.

 

11. Vitamin C

Taking in your vitamin C can help to boost your immune system, which, in turn, can help to kill any bacteria which might be causing you to have an abnormal vaginal odor. For this home remedy, all you have to do is eat more foods that are high in vitamin C or take vitamin C supplements (as directed on the bottle). Some foods that are rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits (oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit), pineapples, some berries, and grapes.

12. Hydrogen Peroxide

Using hydrogen peroxide is one of the best home remedies for treating odor caused by bacterial vaginosis and it will also work to treat vaginal odor in general. To use this home remedy, make a solution halfway made of water and the other half being hydrogen peroxide. Dip a tampon in this mix and insert it as you usually would. Remove the tampon after twenty minutes.

 

13. Chlorophyll Tablets

Taking chlorophyll tablets can also help to cure vaginal odor from the inside out. To use this home remedy, simply take chlorophyll tablets as directed on the bottle.

 

14. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds tackle the causes of vaginal odor in more ways than one. Not only does drinking treat vaginal odor in general, it helps to treat hormonal imbalances, which can sometimes be a cause of vaginal odor.

To use this home remedy, soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a liter of water overnight. In the morning, strain out the seeds and drink the water. Do this once a day, every day, for two weeks, to see results.

 

15. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that works to kill bacteria and fungi (some of the major causes of vaginal odor) from the inside out and simply from the outside. There are two ways to use turmeric. One way is to mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of milk. Drink this every day before bed to get the best results.

Alternatively, you can boil an inch-long piece of turmeric root in a liter of water for about ten minutes. When the time is up, allow the water to cool. You can use the leftover water to rinse your vagina with. Do this as often as needed, up to once a day.

 

16. Guava Leaf Tea

Drinking guava leaf tea can also help to combat strange vaginal odors. To make guava leaf tea at home, boil four guava leaves in a liter of water. Boil this for ten minutes. When the time is up, remove the leaves, allow the tea to cool slightly, and drink. Drink this once a day, preferably in the morning, to get the best results.

17. Thyme Oil

Using thyme oil is a great way to cure bacterial vaginosis, which is often accompanied with a change in vaginal odor. To use this home remedy, mix five drops of thyme essential oil with a tablespoon of jojoba oil. Rub this mixture in and around the vagina. Rest for about ten minutes before rinsing away the mix. You can do this once a day, for up to three weeks, to get the best results.

 

18. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea can be used to treat vaginal odor, but you don’t drink it to get benefits from this home remedy. To use this home remedy, make the tea as you usually would. Allow the tea to cool. Once cool, use the tea as a rinse to clean your vagina. You can use this home remedy up to twice a day to get the best results.

 

19. Sage Tea

Sage tea is another helpful tea that can help to treat vaginal odor. This works by fighting any fungus or bacteria that may be causing the strange smell. To use this home remedy, boil a teaspoon of sage leaves in water for about ten minutes. When the time is out, strain out the leaves, allow the water to cool, and drink. Drink this tea three times a day to get the best results.

Alternatively, you can make the tea as described above, allow it to cool, and use it to rinse your vagina with. If you decide to take this route, you only need to do it once or twice a day to get the best results, depending on how strong your vaginal odor is.

 

Do you know of any other great home remedy solutions for this topic? If so, comment below!

 

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-odor/basics/causes/sym-20050664

https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/how-to-get-rid-of-vaginal-odor#-ways

https://www.top10homeremedies.com/how-to/how-to-get-rid-of-vaginal-odor.html

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/home-remedies-to-treat-vaginal-odour-problem/#gref