What Should Your Vagina Really Smell Like? A Hormone Expert Explains

It's an issue many women avoid discussing at all costs: the scent of their lady parts. But let's get real: We all want our vaginas to smell as pleasant as possible, and it can be disconcerting and anxiety-evoking to wonder whether or not your particular aroma is "normal."

While every woman is different and can have a slight fluctuation in smell partially influenced by diet, in general, you should have a baseline scent that you're intimately familiar with. Your vagina should have a healthy musky scent to it that reminds you of a time you got a good sweat on at the gym; the signature odor you produce from a workout is the same "perfume" you should have everywhere.

Getting to know your baseline scent is a seriously big deal. I have so many women who come to me and ask about what's normal with their vaginal secretions and what's normal regarding their scent. Ultimately, every woman should know what her normal is so that she can sense a change and take immediate action. By becoming an expert on your body, you can not only prevent problems but optimize your own overall well-being.

So now that you know how crucial it is to know your normal, what do you do to maintain a baseline aroma that's as fresh as possible? Here are my tips:

Achieving and maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in your gut (and your vagina) is the key to alleviating so many hormonal issues. Eating alkaline-rich foods like lemons and leafy greens may help detoxify your system, which could potentially sweeten your scent.

But the bigger issue is cutting out the foods that could be causing you harm, specifically an overabundance of animal protein, sugar, dairy, and coffee, which will all negatively affect your microbiome and, consequently, your scent.

I've heard of women using all kinds of crazy products to artificially alter the scent of their vaginas, from bizarre bath salts to heavily perfumed douches. Just say no! Avoid all of these overhyped, potentially problematic products.

Have they changed recently? If you're chronically battling a post-sex case of bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast infection, you'll want to really take a long hard look at all the factors that could be contributing to these chronic issues.

Are you on the pill or using a ring or intrauterine device (IUD)? For some women, these forms of synthetic hormones can disrupt the microbiome.

And when it comes to the actual act, be extra cautious with what you're allowing into your body. The golden rule: If you wouldn't put it in your mouth, it doesn't belong in your vag! So opt only for products that contain all-natural ingredients.

If you're spending the night sleeping in your skivvies, it's time to rethink your bedtime outfit. I recommend sleeping at least half the month panty-free to let your lady parts breathe. And when you do wear underwear, make sure they're made of mostly organic cotton and/or include a breathable cotton gusset. Thongs are fine, but if you're going to wear something synthetic and lacy, save it for a romantic night when you know your knickers will be off your body and on the floor in a hurry.

So often, we're led to believe that the only way to assess our well-being is to go somewhere and get tested. While this is certainly the case for a lot of health and well-being answers, the reality is, as a woman, your body is giving you all sorts of signals all the time. (If you have any concerns, it's always good to see a doctor.) Between the color of your menstrual blood, the smells and secretions of your vagina, and what's going on with your skin month to month, you're constantly getting free biofeedback (especially if you track your period) to gauge just how well your diet and lifestyle are working for your inner ecosystem.

If something isn't sitting well internally, you'll have the external signs and symptoms to tip you off. Getting your vagina to smell amazing isn't about pleasing a partner; it's about getting to a place where your body is telling you loud and clear that you're caring for it properly. That's a goal worth having.