{"id":39312,"date":"2023-10-30T14:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/?p=39312"},"modified":"2026-02-18T05:55:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T04:55:00","slug":"vagina-smell-and-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/vagina-smell-and-sex\/","title":{"rendered":"Sex and Smell: What Affects Your Vagina\u2019s Scent"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"lelo<\/a><\/p>\n

When you combine two (or more) sweatin\u2019 and gruntin\u2019 people doing sexual things to each other, there is bound to be some funky smells filling up the room. HOWEVER, much of that smell is emanating from your genitals, because \u2013 while we are not saying that they stink \u2013 they most certainly do give off a scent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Talking specifically about vaginas, its natural smell should be \u201c<\/span>a mild, musky scent that is not unpleasant<\/span>.\u201d However, there are times when one\u2019s natural balance can be upset, causing one\u2019s vagina to give off an odor that is outside of what you consider to be your normal scent. There can be due to a number of common \u2013 and easily remedied \u2013 reasons, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n

A New Partner<\/b><\/h2>\n

Say what you will about people, they sure are full of it: Ideas, hopes, dreams, emotions, thoughts \u2013 and chemicals. You have your own unique chemical makeup, and so do each of your partners. The fluids we secrete, like vaginal fluid or <\/span>semen<\/span><\/a>, give off smells and when mixed, make an altogether new odor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vaginal fluid in particular is acidic on the pH scale, while semen is slightly alkaline. Mixing these acids and alkalis greatly affects the chemical makeup of the interior of a vagina, and will most definitely change its scent. If the new partner also has a vagina, then mixing vaginal fluids (and thus each partner\u2019s unique pH balance) can also affect your personal pH scale.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, throwing off the pH balance of your vagina is a very common cause of a change in odor, and can be thrown out of whack for any number of reasons. Even when the new partner also has a vagina, the exchange of vaginal fluids will change your vagina\u2019s natural pH, leading to it perhaps giving off an unfamiliar smell after sex.<\/span><\/p>\n

A quick note here: one way that fluids can be exchanged from one vagina to another would be by sharing sex toys without cleaning them (e.g., using the same toy on one another during a sexual encounter). We feel the need to point out that this should be avoided as much as possible. You can share them of course, but only after <\/span>cleaning your sex toys<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your Vaginal pH is Off<\/b><\/h2>\n

Balance that can be thrown off for any number of reasons aside from intimacy with a new partner. For instance, where you\u2019re at in your menstrual cycle can cause your pH to fluctuate. Otherwise it could be thrown off due to a new medication, especially hormonal birth control.<\/span><\/p>\n

What You Eat<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Women say what they eat affects their vaginal odor. They say, overdoing it on the garlic or onions, for example, can leave them with a different scent down there, as can eating asparagus or drinking one too many alcoholic beverages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are You\u2026 Unclean?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Not to say you\u2019re going feral and unwashed, but having sex after strenuous physical activity (like a post-gym or mid-hike sexual session) can make things pretty funky down there. Like the rest of your body, your vagina also has sweat glands. When this sweat mixes with a partner\u2019s sweat, fluids and skin cells, and you\u2019ll really be itching (figuratively \u2013 and maybe literally) to hit the showers after that particular bit of exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, having sex very soon after a previous sex session (usually without thorough cleaning during the in-between) can result in an infection, be it a yeast infection, or bacterial vaginosis \u2013 otherwise known as BV.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, when we talk about unclean \u2013 we do not mean douching! This is BAD for your vaginal health. Just wash externally with warm water and\/or unscented soap.\u00a0 Do not put anything in your vagina to clean it\u2013 it is self-cleaning!<\/span><\/p>\n

Beware of Infection<\/b><\/h2>\n

When it comes to yeast infections, your vagina already contains a small amount of yeast, as well as bacteria and a fungus called candida albicans. There are times when this balance gets thrown out of whack, usually by wearing damp clothes or being damp for extended periods of time in your groin area (undergoing a round of antibiotics can also disrupt the balance). The increase in the amount of candida in your vagina will not only be uncomfortable, but will affect the way you smell down there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, a yeast infection is easily treated with over-the-counter remedies that are readily available and very effective at clearing up the issue. However, if the medication or treatment for your yeast infection isn\u2019t working, it will be time to see a doctor as you likely have a bigger problem: bacterial vaginosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bacterial vaginosis occurs during a bacterial overgrowth within the vagina, which results in many of the same symptoms as a yeast infection. However, because vaginosis is bacterial, not fungal, yeast infection treatments won\u2019t alleviate the symptoms which include discomfort, burning sensations while you pee, and an intense \u2018fishy\u2019 odor. When you suspect that bacterial vaginosis is the cause of your vaginal woes, it\u2019s time to see your doctor, who can tell you the next course of action.<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, your vagina has natural discharge and an odor and is self-cleaning. Get to know your own scent and discharge so if it is funky, you can see a doctor!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you combine two (or more) sweatin\u2019 and gruntin\u2019 people doing sexual things to each other, there is bound to be some funky smells filling up the room. HOWEVER, much of that smell is emanating from your genitals, because \u2013 while we are not saying that they stink \u2013 they most certainly do give off a scent. Talking specifically about vaginas, its natural smell should be \u201ca mild, musky scent that is not unpleasant.\u201d However, there are times when one\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":46972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,1244],"tags":[909,137,669],"coauthors":[951,943],"class_list":["post-39312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sexual-health","category-womens-health","tag-fact-checked-by-doctor","tag-health","tag-sexual-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Can Cause Your Vagina\u2019s Scent to Change?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There could be a number of reasons for it, most of which aren\u2019t much to worry about \u2013 however some are. 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