People often wonder what a healthy vagina smells and tastes like. Skip the floral-scented washes and sprays and take it from a vulva expert:
A lot of factors determine what your vulva tastes and smells like, including your diet, your hygiene habits, and your menstrual cycle. There is limited evidence that certain foods affect vaginal taste or odor, though.
Sweet
The vulva is a unique body part, and it can smell and taste like a whole lot of things. Many vulva owners describe the taste of their vulva as sweet, but it can also be salty, tangy, or metallic. The taste changes throughout a woman’s cycle, and it can be affected by the food you eat, certain medications or soaps, and even what kind of intimacy you have.
Some people find that their vulva tastes slightly metallic, similar to pennies or copper. This can be a sign of a change in your vagina’s pH levels, and it may be caused by something you or your partner have been eating or using as a personal hygiene product.
If you want your vulva to taste sweeter, try adding some fruits or veggies with natural sugars. Some popular choices include pineapple, berries, bananas, avocados, and celery. But don’t load up on these foods right before you have oral sex; they can make your vulva sour. You can also try a gynecologist-approved soap to help balance your vulva’s PH level and restore the sweet taste.
Salty
Vaginal fluid is naturally salty. It helps to lubricate the insides and keep them comfortable. There are also special lubricants produced during sexual activity. Arousal lube is clear and more slippery than normal fluid. It also has a slightly different taste.
Some foods and drinks can leave a bad taste or smell in the vagina. This includes red meat, coffee (can change the pH balance and make your pee stink), greasy foods, asparagus, pineapple and garlic. Drinks that contain milk or sugar may also cause a bad taste in the vagina.
If you notice an unusual taste or odor in the vagina, speak to your gynecologist. They may do a smear test to determine the cause of the problem. They can also recommend some changes to your diet and hygiene routine to help restore the natural taste and smell of your vulva. This could include things like avoiding spicy foods, drinking more water, and not using any soaps or washes that promise to add a certain scent to your vulva. These products can irritate the delicate vaginal tissues and lead to itching and bleeding.
Tangy
While there are many things that can change the way your vagina smells and tastes, the most important thing to remember is that every vulva is different. Yeast infections, herbs such as asparagus, certain foods that contain strong spices and even stress can alter the taste of your vulva. Additionally, using scented washes, lotions or sprays in the region can also have an effect on both the smell and the taste of your vulva.
In general, your vulva should have a mildly acidic taste, similar to the flavor of sourdough bread or Greek yogurt. This is due to the lactobacilli that are present in the area. Sometimes, a coppery or metallic taste may occur in the days following menstruation as trace amounts of blood are released from the area.
Vaginal pH can also vary, as is the case with a woman’s menstrual cycle, and this can also affect the taste down there. However, if your vulva has a strange tasting or smelly sensation then it is definitely time to make an appointment with your gynecologist.
Fermented
For some, the taste and odor down there can be a big turnoff. But it’s a normal part of the human body.
A few things can affect the taste and smell of your vulva, including:
The natural acidity of the vagina may have a metallic or penny-like flavor (think menstruation). Then there’s sweat, which has a salty taste. And if you’re a girl with pubic hair, the smell of your own bits can be musky and even a bit sexy.
Also, your diet plays a role. Avoid greasy, spicy or acidic foods, which can create an unpleasant odor down there. And don’t put beer in your vulva, as it can cause an overgrowth of yeast and a yeast infection.
Bitter
The taste of your vulva and labia can be bitter or metallic. This is normal, and it may change all through your menstrual cycle as a result of the acidity of your vagina changing with your hormones. It can also vary with certain foods and lifestyle habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, spicy food, and other things that can alter your vaginal fluids, Dr. Ross explains.
Usually, a healthy vagina will have a musky or earthy smell with a mild taste. It can also taste salty or tangy, as a result of the lactobacilli bacteria that dominate most healthy vaginas. This can also be impacted by your menstrual cycle, hormones, and personal vaginal flora, Dr. Ross adds.
A strong odor or taste may indicate something is wrong, especially if it’s persistent. Your gynecologist can diagnose whether the taste or smell is caused by an infection like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or sexually transmitted diseases. The good news is that many of these conditions can be treated or cured with medication, so don’t hesitate to seek medical help if it’s necessary.
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