When your boyfriend hates how you smell down there

In intimate relationships, personal hygiene is one of the most important factors that leads to mutual pleasure. Unpleasant body smells can turn out to be deal breakers, even though partners may not admit so at that time. And one such matter that men often have trouble with, is their partner having unpleasant vaginal smell. So if your boyfriend too complains about how you smell down there, here are a few ways to deal with the problem.

Understand what is and is not normal

Feminine odor changes throughout your normal monthly menstrual cycle and is subject to outside situations such as the presence of bacteria, foods that you eat, or hormonal functions. In any healthy woman of childbearing age, the vagina will have some vaginal secretions and this will lend it a particular odor, which is nothing to be embarrassed about. In short, at any given time – your vagina will have a smell to it. Just like your breath or your feet, there is a certain odor associated with the vagina. However, at times many women notice that their vagina smells differently. It may smell metallic or musty or even give off somewhat of a ‘fishy’ smell which is unpleasant both to the woman as well as to her sexual partner.

Follow the basics of personal hygiene

Most of the times simply following the basics of personal hygiene can make a difference between smell that is unpleasant and one that is normal. Make sure you have a shower at least once a day and even twice if you stay in a hot and humid climate or if your work/exercise makes you all sweaty. Keep your genitals clean and wash yourself with a mild soap. You may find a hand held shower attachment can help you to feel cleaner; be sure to wash the labia and inner folds of the vagina as well.  However avoid using harsh soaps as they irritate the skin and cause further discomfort like itchiness. These days there are several feminine washes which are perfumed and thus supposed to help you smell better down there but which may in fact disturb the natural ph balance in your vagina, thus making you more susceptible to yeast or other infections. If you are prone to yeast infections, washing your private parts with water every time you use the loo will go a long way in keeping you clean and smelling fresh. If not using water, always wipe front to back after bowel movements to avoid spread of rectal bacteria. Change pads, tampons, and panty-liners frequently. Be sure to change underwear at least once every day. Urinate and wash immediately after sex to flush bacteria from the vaginal area.

Wear loose and dry

When choosing innerwear, ideally go for cotton fabrics – these are made of natural fibers which allow your skin to breathe unlike synthetic materials which trap sweat and thus lead to unpleasant smells. Likewise tight jeans and panties that don’t allow your vagina to breathe can result in vaginal sweating, causing bacteria build-up, and eventually will cause an odor.

Watch out for other symptoms

Sometimes other symptoms may accompany an unpleasant vaginal odor like a foul-smelling discharge, staining on the panty liners as well as itching or irritation in that area. These could indicate the presence of an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, as occurs with bacterial vaginosis and vaginal yeast infections. There are some low grade infections which can be present for a long time which could cause an odour – thrush is the commonest one, but there are several others. In case you have such an infection, treating it will get rid of the foul vaginal smell along with other troubling symptoms.

Though rarely, another cause of such an odour is the presence in the vagina of some material that shouldn't be there, for example a tampon. If a tampon is stuck in there, or part of a tampon, then this could be the source. Have your gynaecologist check you thoroughly to rule out any such possibilities.

Natural alternatives

Sometimes women note a relationship between the smell and the stage of your menstrual cycle. It may be worse or better at certain times of the month. If so in your case too, then the unpleasant smell may not be due to any kind of disease, but just to the odour of the natural vaginal fluids that change under the influence of the monthly hormones. In such cases, a natural treatment that might help where other options don't. Apple cider vinegar helps restore the acidic quality of the vaginal flora and fights off the toxins that cause infection. Simply indulge in a long bath with two to three cups of this natural antibacterial agent in your bathing water to achieve quick results. Pour half cup of vinegar and half cup of salt into a bathtub and soak several times a week.  This will help to balance the vaginal pH. Garlic is one of nature’s most powerful antibiotics. Inserting a clove of garlic into your vagina and retaining it for a couple of hours can alleviate the bad vaginal odor to a large extent. Avoid douching since this may again upset the natural ph of the vagina and make it prone to infections accompanied by unpleasant smells.

Watch what you eat

Eating plenty of plain yoghurt is often found to be effective in treating unpleasant vaginal odors. Yogurt is rich in lactobacillus, which helps to restore the normal vaginal pH level, helping to prevent the condition from recurring. However make sure that this is organic, unflavored yogurt, especially the non-sugary type. also avoid highly spicy foods since these may contribute to strong odors down there; other foods to avoid would be sugary foods, starches, mushrooms, caffeinated products and alcohol – all which are associated with an over production of bodily yeast.

There are thus several ways to get rid of unpleasant feminine odors – keeping yourself clean and fresh down there will not only make sex mutually enjoyable but also help you stay safe from more serious infections.