4 REASONS WHY YOU MAY HAVE A SMELLY VAGINA

4 REASONS WHY YOU MAY HAVE A SMELLY VAGINA

Being in the underarm odor and sweat business, I often have conversations with those around me, discussing what most would deem “unsexy” topics. I was having a conversation with an esthetician who has waxed over 10,000 women during her career, and she told me the number one thing women are concerned about is having, in their words, a smelly vagina. 

Unbeknown to most, when women think they have a smelly vagina, they presume the smell is due to an internal issue, however more often than not, odor occurs in the intimate region from the external groin region a.k.a. the vulva and groin/bikini line. Read on to learn about why this happens and more importantly, how to prevent it.

WHAT CAUSES ODOR “DOWN THERE”?

There are numerous factors that can contribute to a “smelly vagina” that can be associated to a medical condition or an internal issue, however what I am going to focus on is odor caused by the external vulva and bikini/groin area. This type of odor is what most women experience and incorrectly attribute to an internal issue.

UNDERARMS AND VULVA ARE MORE SIMILAR THAN YOU THINK

The female groin region is a very complex area and believe it or not, it’s very similar to the underarms where odor can also be an issue for many.  

1. CONCENTRATION OF SWEAT GLANDS

The vulva and groin area are home to a concentration of apocrine glands, the glands responsible for sweat and are predominantly found in areas abundant in hair follicles (scalp, underarm and groin). The presence of these glands makes this area prone to odor as moisture from sweat feeds odor-causing bacteria.

2. PRESENCE OF HAIR AND SKIN FOLDS

The vulva and bikini line also have many skin folds; when combined with a moist environment, it becomes the ideal climate for odor-causing bacteria to get trapped and thrive. The presence of hair also creates more surface area for bacteria to live and can trap moisture close to the skin.

3. NON-BREATHABLE ENVIRONMENT

The groin is highly prone to “suffocation” as daily wear of tight clothing, multiple layers and synthetic materials trap moisture, allowing bacteria to grow and produce odor. Tight shapewear can also exacerbate this issue, keeping moisture trapped against the skin.

HOW TO STOP SMELLING DOWN THERE

If you’ve determined your odor issue is related to these external factors, there are some practical tips to help keep you fresh and odor-free all day long. The key to preventing odor down there is to reduce the chances of creating that dark, moist environment that bacteria loves.

sweat powder powder nude

USE A TALC-FREE BODY POWDER

If you find that you are someone who sweats a lot, or if you are in a hot and humid environment, applying a layer of talc-free body powder over a layer of natural deodorant can help you stay dry down there.

I created the sweat powder which was designed to absorb sweat in the bikini area, as well as underarms and breasts. The targeted brush applicator makes it easy and safe to distribute the powder without it poofing everywhere and keeps it away from the vaginal opening.

Talc-free powder is safe to use down there, but note that any body powder should be used with caution and only externally. I recommend applying the sweat powder on the bikini line after you put your undergarments on. Make sure powder is never applied internally in the vaginal region or near the vaginal opening.

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