5 Easy and Effective Ways to Expel Annoying Vaginal Odors

Every woman has a distinctive vaginal odor and is different from other women. However, basically the vagina is said to be normal and healthy if it smells rather acidic like vinegar but does not sting. So, how to get rid of unpleasant vaginal odor?

How to get rid of vaginal odor
Here are various ways you can try to get rid of unpleasant vaginal odor:

1. Maintain cleanliness of the vagina
Maintaining vaginal hygiene is the key to reducing unpleasant odors. Especially if you have just done an activity that makes the body sweat.

However, do not carelessly how to clean it. Rinse the vagina with warm water and wipe from front to back. This aims to prevent dirt and bacteria from surrounding the anus from moving to the vaginal area.

Cleaning the vagina is actually not necessary to use scented betel soap or douching tools. These two cleansing soaps are not a good way to get rid of vaginal odor.

Using soap that is hard will actually change the pH balance and good bacteria in the vagina. When there are more bad bacteria, the vagina can give off a bad odor.

If you want, use mild soap without fragrance and coloring only for the outer skin of the vagina.

After washing, dry the vagina with a tissue without fragrance or clean washcloth. Do not leave the vagina still wet or moist when wearing underwear.

2. Routinely change panties
Routinely changing panties at least twice a day is a way to eliminate the pungent vaginal odor.

Because the pants are dirty and damp can make the vagina emit an unpleasant odor. The odor arises from a mixture of sweat, dead skin cells, or waste urine and leucorrhoea that stick to the underpants.

So, do not wear the same underwear for a full day without changing it. This habit can also increase the risk of infection which makes the vagina smell even more.

It is also important to pay attention to the fabric of your underwear. Always use cotton underwear that easily absorbs sweat and other fluids.

Avoid pants made of satin, silk, or polyester that are difficult to absorb fluids so that it can make the vaginal area always moist.

. Routinely replace pads
The vagina tends to smell more pungent during menstruation. To eliminate or at least reduce the smell, you must change pads frequently.

Replace with a new bandage every 3-4 hours, especially in the first days of menstruation when blood is bleeding out.

Another way to get rid of vaginal odor is to use a menstrual cup as an alternative to sanitary napkins. The reason is, the sanitary napkin will continue to absorb blood which makes the vagina feel moist and prone to odor.

4. Consuming probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain the digestive system and boost the immune system.

Eating foods that contain probiotics also maintain vaginal health from infections, especially bacterial infections and fungal infections. Yogurt, kefir, and tempeh, including foods rich in probiotics, can be your choice.

Good bacteria from probiotic foods will help restore vaginal pH balance, thereby helping to eliminate vaginal odor.

5. Using drugs
A vagina that emits a pungent odor usually indicates symptoms of an infection.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, abnormal vaginal odor usually comes from vaginal inflammation, which is caused by infection with vaginitis or trichomoniasis. So, how to get rid of vaginal odor like this certainly must be with drugs.

Even so, the choice of medicine will depend on the root cause.

If the odor is caused by a fungal infection, the medicine is antifungal in the form of oral medication, cream or ointment, or suppository. This drug is used to stop the growth of fungi that cause infection.

The antifungal drugs to eliminate odors due to vaginal infections include:

Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole is available as a cream that can be applied directly to the vagina and the surrounding skin area. Cream is usually applied once a day before going to bed.

Although there are commercially available, you should consult a doctor first before buying this drug.

Miconazole
Miconazole is another antifungal cream that is also smeared on the skin area around the vagina. This medicine is used to reduce itching, discomfort, and reduce odors. Usually miconazole cream can work effectively after use for 3 days.

Fluconazole
Fluconazole is a drinking antifungal drug that kills fungi that cause infection while preventing it from recurring. However, only cases of severe infections will be prescribed this antifungal drug.

However, if the cause is bacterial, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics as a way to eliminate infections as well as vaginal odor problems. Common antibiotic choices prescribed are:

Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Metronidazole is the most effective antibiotic to treat bacterial infections in the vagina. Metronidazole is available in gel form which is generally used once a day. Apply the gel according to the instructions listed on the packaging so that the work of the drug is guaranteed effective.

Tinidazole (Tindamax)
Tinidazole is a antibiotic to treat vaginal bacterial infections (bacterial vaginosis) and trichomoniasis. This drug works to stop the growth of certain bacteria and parasites.

Tinidazole usually needs to be taken once a day. Although effective, this drug can cause various side effects such as:

Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth
Stomach ache
Dizzy
Nausea
Darker colored urine
But take it easy, these side effects will disappear by themselves when you stop treatment.

Usually the drug is the last way to eliminate odors in the vagina. So that, try first to do various ways of home care above to help eliminate vaginal odor.

If the smell does not disappear or even sting, consult a doctor to get the right medicine.