What Causes Vaginal Smell? 14 Possible Causes You Should Know

Diet

There are a few different ways that diet can impact vaginal smell. It’s important to understand that the vagina is host to a delicate balance of bacteria. This bacterial balance helps to keep the vagina healthy and free from infection. When this balance is disturbed, it can lead to problems like bacterial vaginosis, which can cause an unpleasant odor. Diet plays a role in maintaining this delicate balance because certain foods can promote the growth of unhealthy bacteria while others help to keep the balance in check. 

For example, eating sugary foods can cause an overgrowth of yeast, leading to vaginal odor. On the other hand, consuming probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi, can help maintain healthy vaginal flora and prevent bad bacteria from taking over. 

Another way that diet impacts vaginal smell is through body odor in general. What a woman eats can affect how her entire body smells, including the vagina. For instance, eating lots of spicy foods can make a woman sweat more and cause body odor.