A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:My sisters say their vagina's has a certain odor. One says hers smell like chlorine. The other says it smells like a rubber condom. Is that normal? They both haven't been sexually active for over a year. And their last pap smear was fine. Now they are on birth control. Is that the reason for odor? Will douche help?
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male
reader, JustHelpinAgain  +, writes (23 October 2011):
How do you know? Maybe ask a man. Ive never found a bad one, but clean is nice, dont overdo the soap though, it has its own chemistry a bit like in your mouth. I expect a lot of the special soaps etc are just marketing. A nice shower with plenty of water and a gentle rub is all that is really needed. Any infection will show up with more than a smell, usually irritation, redness, and usually a rather unpleasant discharge. Remember taking the pill really messes up the natural cycle and unfortunately stops the wonderfully inspiring scent during ovulation!
A
female
reader, YouWish +, writes (23 October 2011):
 Oh DO wash every day!
I said "IF you eat nasty foods and don't wash down there every day, it might smell".
DO wash, but do not get soap inside your vagina! No way!
Sounds like whatever you're doing, it's right!
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A
male
reader, DoubleM +, writes (23 October 2011):
 By all means, they should not douche - that causes an imbalance in vaginal chemistry by removing beneficial bacteria. I speak as a man who has nuzzled many vulvas providing cunnilingus. It is certainly best to maintain excellent hygiene, washing with neutral ph soap such as Dove and rinsing, especially just prior to sexual activities. I think a diet high in fruits also helps, but some women, a small percentage in my opinion, simply do have an odor and taste that is just unpleasant. It must be genetic.
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A
female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (23 October 2011):
 "Chlorine and the other like a rubber condom" my best guess is that you are what you eat.
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A
female
reader, pinktopaz +, writes (23 October 2011):
Sometimes there's an imbalance in the vagina and if there's not the right balance of bacteria and yeast--you can end up with a yeast infection or not smelling so "fresh" because of bacteria. I just found all this out at my last pap appointment.
I agree diet makes a difference--but sometimes just naturally occurring stuff "down there" you can't really help even if you shower often you can still have an odor. Even having sex can throw off your balance.
So not trying to sound like an advertisement but my doctor recommended Rephresh Vaginal Gel--I used it and it really works. My problem was that I always seemed to want to get a yeast infection after my period. It helps with that and there's virtually no sort of odor "down there" anymore. Douching is bad for you, but so far this stuff is pretty good and made everything feel better and took away any smell. It is kinda pricey though and I don't use it as frequently as it tells you to.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (23 October 2011): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionWow! I had no idea! Good to know. I was worried they may have a yeast infection or something. I have more of a "light scent" where I'm not concern. But one question~I love to wash with soap and water... Is that bad since you've mentioned not to wash down there everyday? (Because I do shower everyday lol)
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A
female
reader, YouWish +, writes (23 October 2011):
Every vagina has an odor. How it is depends on many things. Diet, hygiene, free from infections, even the kind of clothing you wear affects it.
Most women do not need any feminine wash, as you are naturally given the ability to clean and flush out contaminants and infections. Also, physical activity level affects things to. If you are a heavy sweater, that might add to the aroma, so to speak. Last but not least, smoking tends to affect the odor too.
However, if you're sexually active, sometimes it's nice to have that, as well as if you simply have that 'not so fresh feeling". (Heh...thank you advertising industry)
I can't stress enough the importance of diet. If you eat a lot of nasty foods (especially garlic and lots of alcohol) and don't wash down there every day, you might gain a bit of a musky smell.
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