The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that maintains a healthy balance of bacteria and makes mucous to wash out foreign substances. A healthy vagina does not have an unpleasant smell. Vaginal odor may occur for many different reasons. Infections, medical conditions, sexually transmitted diseases and poor personal hygiene may cause vaginal odor. Discharge may accompany the unpleasant odor. Before treating vaginal odor at home, a physician needs to examine the problem to be sure that the cause of the odor does not require medications or medical procedures to treat the condition causing the foul smell.
Proper Hygiene
Good personal hygiene is the first step to stopping vaginal odor. Using a mild soap and water on the skin on the outer genital area and drying thoroughly is enough to keep the vagina clean. Scented soaps and products may cause irritation to the vaginal area and may allow an infection to occur. After urinating or having a bowel movement, a woman needs to wipe from the front to the back to avoid allowing feces to enter the vagina and cause an infection. A vaginal pessary, which fits into the vagina and helps hold up the bladder and uterus for women with a prolapsed organ, should be removed for cleaning with mild soap and water to help decrease the chance of odors from the device.
Decrease Moisture
Wearing loose, cotton clothing and undergarments helps increase the airflow to the genitals and may decrease the odor caused by trapping sweat in the area. Using a non-medicated powder can help decrease moisture to the genitals. Change any soiled undergarments and feminine hygiene projects promptly to avoid causing odors.
Medications
Taking any prescribed medications will help treat odors caused by vaginal infections. Bacterial infections may cause a fishy odor and antibiotic treatment will help remedy the infection and the smell. Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea require antibiotics to treat the infections. Using an antifungal cream inside the vagina may help treat a yeast infection caused by an imbalance in bacteria.
Avoid Douching
Douching by squirting water or other fluids into the vagina does not help treat odors. Although it is a common habit for many women in the United States, using a douche may increase the risk of developing infections by decreasing the acidity of a healthy vagina, which can allow bacteria to grow, according to The National Women's Health Information Center. Douching may also cause irritation to the vagina. Women should only douche when instructed to do so by their physicians.
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