Feminine odor can be embarrassing for some, or the odor can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as bacterial overgrowth caused from sexual intercourse or vaginal infections. You can reduce feminine odor using home remedies, but home remedies are not a substitute for medical treatment. If the problem persists, you should contact a health-care provider to discuss potential risks of home remedies or to evaluate the odor problem.
Feminine Care Products
According to the TeensHealth website from Nemours, douching and feminine care products, such as deodorants and perfumes, may be instantaneous treatments for the odor problem, but they may cause you to have an allergic reaction, irritation or infection. Douching eliminates the normal bacteria and organisms that grow in the vagina, which help to keep your acidity levels in normal range, the Mayo Clinic advises.
Hygiene
Proper hygiene, such as washing your vaginal area daily with mild soap and water, helps to reduce feminine odors. In addition, changing to cotton underwear helps to reduce the moisture in the vaginal area, decreasing the risk of bacterial growth, which causes odor. In addition, keeping your pubic region trimmed eliminates the possibility of bacteria to collect in your hair. While you are menstruating, changing you tampon and pads frequently, and keeping an extra change of clothes handy in case of an accident will help to reduce the potential of feminine odor. If you use sanitary pads, try using disposable, unscented baby wipes between pad changes to eliminate the discharge build-up in the pubic area.
Herbs
A study done in 2003 by Dr. Katherine Vankessel and research associates from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington showed positive potential for using tea tree oil and garlic for the treatment of vaginitis; however, the researchers stated that additional research is needed. The antifungal properties in tea tree and garlic oil help to reduce the feminine odor cause from vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis. Prior to using herbs for treatment of feminine odor, consult with a health-care practitioner about the potential risks. When you are preparing tea tree oil, dilute a few drops in a cup of water and apply directly to the vaginal area. Tea tree oil is for external use only; do not take it orally. Garlic may be prepared as a paste or by tying a clove of garlic in mesh material or cotton and inserting it directly into your vagina.
Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics, an active bacteria, and aids in preventing recurring yeast infections. Eating yogurt daily, or taking an unused tampon, dipping it in the yogurt, and inserting the tampon into your vagina, are two ways to help reduce feminine odor.
