The best way to keep your private parts smelling OK is to take regular showers or baths, wash the outside of your vulva or penis with warm water and a little soap, and wear clean, dry underwear. Other than that, there's no need to use douches or special washes.
How can vaginal odor be prevented? You can put healthy habits in place to keep your vulva clean and protect your vagina from infection. Practice good hygiene. Shower regularly and only use mild, unscented soap and warm water to clean your vulva.
The most likely culprit behind this scent is bacterial vaginosis, the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection can creep in when the vagina's pH gets thrown out of whack by an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria, says Dr. Minkin.
It's normal to smell “down there,” even right after bathing. Your vagina resides in a warm, dark place loaded with lymph nodes and glands. It has its own delicately balanced ecosystem, complete with its own unique, odor-producing bacterial flora.
Apocrine glands open up into your hair follicles. Hair follicles are the tube-like structure that keeps your hair in your skin. You can find apocrine glands in your groin and armpits. These glands produce sweat that can smell when it comes in contact with bacteria on your skin.
A slightly musty smell is normal. This is usually caused by sweat, dead skin, heat and is especially present in pubic hair.
Bad smell is however often associated with infectious or noninfectious causes of vaginitis or less often, vulval disease. Malodorous vaginal infections include: Bacterial vaginosis (the most common reason for genital malodour, a fishy smell) Trichomoniasis (this is foul-smelling in only about 20% of infected women)
Unfortunately, warm and moist areas can sometimes provide an ideal environment for growth of different organisms such as fungus and bacteria, which can lead to development of different odors and even skin rash. But you don't have to shave your pubic hair or use deodorant or creams down there to stop the odor!
Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vaginal discharge, blood and semen. 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.
Odor from exercise is normal, but if you can smell a strong odor through your pants that would be another cause for concern. Keep reading for some reasons why you might smell through your pants and how to treat the underlying condition.
The research shows that body hair by itself is not a cause of bad body odor. But everyone is unique. Some guys report smelling better after their shave their armpits, body hair, or pubes. They feel that it makes them sweat less and smell better.
While sweat in and of itself is odorless, the type of sweat produced in your armpits, feet, and groin smells bad when it combines with bacteria that's already on your skin. That's why frequent bathing or showering with mild soap and warm water is important to rinse sweat off the skin.
Like the armpit region, the groin contains numerous sweat glands called apocrine glands. It is normal for people to experience some degree of sweating between their legs, especially during hot weather or exercise. Sweating is the body's way of cooling itself down.
Use 1 teaspoon of peroxide (3%) to 1 cup (8 ounces) of water. Wipe this on affected areas (underarms, feet, groin) with a washcloth. This may help destroy some of the bacteria that create odor. If sweat from working out is your No. 1 cause of body odor, wash your workout clothes often.
Certain food, drugs and medical conditions may also cause body odor. If you have severe body odor or a change in body odor, see your doctor. Your doctor can look for what's causing it and then talk to you about treatment options.