WHY DOES THE SMELL OF MY VAGUE CHANGE?
Writing down everything our body wants to tell us is the first step towards a path of awareness. Have you ever thought of having a notebook where you write down every sensation and change in your body?
This method could help you!
What does our vaginal fluid smell like?
Why does our vaginal odor vary according to the cycle?
Why does the color change when the smell of our fluid changes?
What to do if i have an infection?
There is not only bacterial vaginosis!
The good resolutions to avoid a vaginal infection
What does our vaginal fluid smell like?
Let's start by saying that our vagina shares its space with the vaginal fluid. Vaginal fluid has various functions, but the most important is to keep our vagina moist to facilitate penetration and defend it from external agents. Describing the physiological odor of our vaginal fluid is very complex because it is as if we asked you: what does your skin smell like? The answer varies based on the person and their eating and behavioral habits. One thing is certain, when your vaginal fluid is healthy, it doesn't smell bad.
Why does our vaginal odor vary according to the cycle?
The menstrual cycle is not the same in all its phases because it is accompanied, during its evolution, by hormones that alternate with each other.
This alternation involves changes in the vaginal fluid, in fact during the phase of ovulation , if we look at it under the microscope, it becomes whiter and impenetrable.
Its plot thickens, this is because it has the task of transporting the spermatozoa towards the egg , selecting them.
The changes in vaginal fluid vary from person to person and this depends on each person's hormonal balance.
Why does the color change when the smell of our fluid changes?
If your vaginal fluid does not have a white color and a sweet smell, it may be that there is an infection in progress and that the smell of the fluid has also changed. One of the most important tasks of the vaginal fluid is precisely to protect the vulva and vagina from external agents, when an infection occurs, it is evident that the vaginal fluid has not done its job well.
Do you know why the vaginal fluid failed to protect the vaginal flora?
Because his work is disturbed by bad habits: such as the use of commercial absorbents, frequent washing with detergents that alter the vaginal pH, a poor diet that alters the intestinal microbiome and the excessive use of vaginal douches.
What to do if i have an infection?
If your vaginal fluid smells unpleasant but is altered, the first thing you should do is go to the doctor. It is not certain that the therapy must be based on antibiotics, because very often the cause of bacterial vaginosis is linked to an alteration of the intestinal microbiome, therefore the therapy will not only be local, but you will be advised to keep yours healthy. intestinal flora.
There is not only bacterial vaginosis!
Bacterial vaginosis is a disease caused by an imbalance of the normal vaginal flora and sometimes you may not realize you have it. When, on the other hand, the vagina loses some of its acidity, that is, it becomes a little more basic, it could also be itching and burning. In this case we speak of a fungal infection given by the presence of fungi, which can affect both the inside and the outside of the vagina, the mucosa becomes red and swollen and the vaginal fluid could be whitish and lumpy. Furthermore , vaginal infections can also be caused by the presence of viruses such as HPV and herpes which are generally transmitted sexually. Hpv infections are often associated with the presence of warts that may continue to recur, while herpes is a virus from which one never gets rid of, once caught it remains silent for life. Condoms and dental dams are the safest protective devices against sexually transmitted viruses. It is important to know that the excessive use of antibiotics and the abuse of soaps for daily cleansing can affect the vaginal flora and therefore expose us to infections. It could happen that during the menstruation phase the immune defenses are considerably lowered and this can predispose you to infections.
The good resolutions to avoid a vaginal infection
- Make sure you keep your intestines healthy, many vaginal infections are linked to an alteration of the intestinal flora. Avoid refined foods that contain dyes, preservatives and additives, go for healthy foods and diversify your diet. A good digestion will help to assimilate all the nutrients well and avoid accumulating toxins in the body.
- Reduce the use of soaps, in many detergents there are chemical agents that break down the natural defense of our vaginal flora and this increases the risk of infections.
- Do not abuse antibiotics because they tend to destroy all our bacteria, even the good ones, lowering the vaginal and immune defenses.
- Use suitable menstrual devices ! Commercial sanitary napkins and panty liners may contain traces of pesticides and dioxins. These chemicals contribute to lowering the natural defenses of our vagina exposing us to the risk of infection which, in turn, alter both the color and the smell of our vaginal fluid.