11 Things That Cause vagin*l Odor | Lume Deodorant (2024)

by Shannon Klingman, M.D.

Here at Lume, we are changing the narrative on feminine hygiene.

The truth is, the vagin* is not to blame for odor the majority of the time, and it just happens as a result of living a full life. Workouts, intimacy, periods, skipped showers, and leaky bladders can all lead to odor.

Men have odor, too.

So, why is it that women spend more time concerned about odor than men, when odor happens to all of us?

Here’s my theory… Ready for this?

Men do not have the pleasure of putting their feet in the stirrups, letting their knees fall to the side with a speculum placed into a body cavity every year. All this just inches away from the face of a doctor.

I guarantee you, if men had to do this, they would have had this problem solved in two shakes about 100 years ago.

It took a woman to solve body odor!

is very effective at preventing body odor in intimate areas (for both women AND men!).

However, you may be wondering what causes so called “feminine odor” in the first place.

Here are 11 things that contribute to odor:

1. Long pubic hair

Hair increases the surface area for bacteria and bodily fluids to linger and lead to odor. Think of it as a dance floor. The smaller the dance floor, the smaller the area the bacteria and bodily fluids have to hang out and interact with each other. Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vagin*l discharge, blood and sem*n. Bacteria line up all along the hair shaft just lunching it up and creating odor. (Very appetizing, I know.)

Trimming your pubic hair reduces that surface area for bacteria, thus reducing odor.

2. Menstrual Blood

It’s actually not the vagin* that tends to cause odor, it’s bacteria from our backside. So, using a diva cup or tampon helps to keep menstrual blood from coming into contact with bacteria commonly found in our gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria digest the proteins and fats found in blood and release odor. By keeping blood away from between our butt cheeks and vulva, we are reducing the potential for odor to form.

3. Urine

When you empty your bladder, residual urine happens. If you leak urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh, you have a little more than most. Bacteria digest it and that creates odor. If you want to use a spray bottle or a wet wipe and just good old toilet paper to pat dry, you will minimize this odor reaction from happening.

4. Intimacy

sem*n is the worst offender for odor between our legs. Bacteria commonly found in our gastrointestinal tract digest it slowly over time, and the vagin* serves as a reservoir for it to leak out for the next couple of days. You can use a tampon after intercourse to minimize the leakage. Just remove it a few hours later.

These odors are indistinguishable from odors commonly noted with bacterial vaginosis. This means that if you notice a strong odor “down there,” you can try using Lume. If it’s an external odor that doesn’t require antibiotics, the odor will go away within 3-4 days. If odor persists, you may have an infection, so you’ll want to see your doctor.

5. Tight-fitting clothes

If you are wearing clothing that is squeezing your butt cheeks together, odor is just brewing away. Think Ziploc bag. That’s exactly what’s happening with your jeans, yoga pants, and tights.

6. Number Poo residue

It happens. Especially in public bathrooms with cheap toilet paper. Or at a cheap friend’s house who uses cheap toilet paper.

You can imagine how even a little bit of residue won’t leave you smelling fresh and clean after you leave the bathroom.

I recommend using toilet paperand freshening upwith aLume Deodorant Wipe until it swipes white. (No ordinary wipe, our wipes are clinically proven to control odor for 24 hours!)

7. Man-made fabrics

If your clothing contains anything other than cotton or wool, it has man-made fibers.

These have been shown to promote the B.O. reaction.

Sweat and bacteria find their way to the fabrics every time you wear them, and you cannot keep this B.O. reaction from happening, no matter what product you use.

Next time you think your deodorant failed you, make sure you are not just smelling that reaction in the shirt from a previous wear.

Pre-hamper your fabrics with an enzyme pretreat spray
to help get those odors out.

8. Thong underwear

As a gynecologist, I always referred to this as butt floss. It is meant to be worn only briefly, in my opinion. Think of it like a rope on a pulley moving back and forth shifting bacteria from your backside to the front side. Thongs increase your riskof irritation and yeast infections.

9. vagin*l discharge

What happens is, when it is digested by bacteria commonly found in our gastrointestinal tracts (get the reoccurring theme here?), a mild fishy odor is released.

There is nothing wrong with you, it just happens.

Higher pH discharge is more likely to happen during ovulation, pregnancy and in post-menopausal years.

10. Retained tampon

Have you ever smelled a rotten potato?

This is even worse.

Most retained tampons are left in at the end of your period, and you forget about them. It is also possible to double up on tampons in the vagin* and not realize it.

Aboutthree days later (or more) you will begin to notice the smell of death.

We should be changing our tampons every 4-6 hours during the day and not leaving one in overnight for longer than 8 hours.

11. vagin*l infections

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichom*oniasis both have a fishy foul odor associated with them.

BV is milder in odor and odor may be the only symptom you have.

Trichom*oniasis is almost always associated with a change in vagin*l discharge that is grey or greenish in nature. If you notice a strong fishy odor immediately after intercourse, chances are you have this. It is a parasite and needs antibiotics to treat it.

You can minimize those odors by trying some of the suggestions I have mentioned.

If you are looking for a life-changing, uninhibited “go with the flow even if you have skipped a shower or two” kind of confidence, try Lume Deodorant.

It will leave you pleasantly surprised by how effective it is and how little you may need to apply. After all, it's clinically proven to control odor for up to 72 hours!

For added protection alongside Lume Deodorant, use Lume Deodorant Wipes anywhere you have odor but wish you didn't.

If you still notice odor despite using Lume for a few days, you need to see your doctor to rule out a more concerning issue.

Did you Lume today?

As an expert in women's health and hygiene, I have extensive knowledge about feminine hygiene practices, intimate health, and the factors contributing to odor in the genital area. My expertise includes a comprehensive understanding of vagin*l health, menstrual hygiene, and common misconceptions regarding feminine odor.

In the provided article by Shannon Klingman, M.D., she addresses the misconception surrounding feminine odor and sheds light on various factors contributing to it. Dr. Klingman mentions several critical aspects related to feminine hygiene, including:

Pubic Hair and Bacterial Growth: Long pubic hair can increase the surface area for bacteria and bodily fluids to accumulate, leading to odor. Trimming pubic hair reduces this surface area, minimizing bacterial growth and odor.
Menstrual Blood and Bacterial Contact: Contact between menstrual blood and bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract can result in odor. Using menstrual products like tampons or menstrual cups helps prevent this contact, reducing potential odors.
Urine and Bacterial Digestion: Residual urine and urinary leaks can foster bacterial growth, leading to odor. Proper drying techniques after urination can minimize bacterial activity and subsequent odor.
Intimacy and sem*n Residue: sem*n can be a source of odor as bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract digest it over time. Using tampons post-intercourse helps minimize potential leakage and subsequent odor.
Clothing Choice: Tight-fitting clothes, particularly synthetic fabrics, can trap heat and moisture, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth and odor.
Residue from Bowel Movements: Residue left after bowel movements can contribute to odor, especially in situations with inadequate toilet paper. Proper cleaning techniques and the use of deodorant wipes can help maintain freshness.
Fabrics and Bacterial Odor: Clothing made from synthetic materials can retain sweat and bacteria, leading to persistent odor. Pre-treating such clothes before washing can help eliminate odors.
Thong Underwear: Wearing thongs can increase the risk of irritation and bacterial transfer from the backside to the front, potentially leading to odor.
vagin*l Discharge and Bacterial Interaction: Bacterial digestion of vagin*l discharge, especially by gastrointestinal bacteria, can result in mild fishy odors. Certain stages like ovulation, pregnancy, and post-menopause can influence the pH of discharge.
Retained Tampons: Forgotten tampons can lead to a foul odor due to bacterial decomposition. Changing tampons regularly and avoiding leaving them in for extended periods is essential to prevent this issue.
vagin*l Infections: Conditions like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichom*oniasis can cause distinct odors. BV often presents with a milder odor, while trichom*oniasis can lead to a stronger fishy smell, indicating the need for medical intervention.

Dr. Klingman also recommends Lume Deodorant as a solution to combat body odor effectively, emphasizing its clinically proven efficacy in controlling odor for extended periods, up to 72 hours. She suggests using Lume Deodorant Wipes for added freshness in areas where odor persists.

Overall, Dr. Klingman's insights emphasize the importance of understanding various factors influencing feminine odor and adopting proper hygiene practices to maintain intimate health and freshness.