How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor and Smelly Discharge for Good
Have you ever been concerned that there’s a
smell coming from down there?
More often than not, an unpleasant or fishy vaginal odor is thanks to Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), a vaginal infection caused by bacterial overgrowth.
No matter your age, BV can happen to you. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), there are over 21 million women in the United States alone (ages 14-49) who have suffered from BV symptoms such as smelly discharge. It can come from lifestyle choices, your sexual activity, the things you eat, and how active you are in general. You’re even more likely to get BV if you’re pregnant, have been pregnant before, have had more than one sexual partner, or are African-American. Basically, if you’re a woman, you’re susceptible to BV.
The absolute worst part of suffering from BV is dealing with the smelly discharge. If you’ve been searching for a vaginal odor treatment – or simple ways to get rid of vaginal odor – you’re in the right place.
Why Does BV Cause Smelly Discharge and Vaginal Odor?
Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the bad bacteria takes over the good bacteria. At its core, BV is a bacterial imbalance. The good bacteria is called lactobacillus, which actually keeps your vagina slightly acidic. This prevents the bad bacteria, most commonly Gardnerella vaginalis, from multiplying. The bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis has a distinct odor that’s described by many as being “fish-like.” In fact, there’s even a “whiff test” that combines potassium hydroxide to a slide with vaginal discharge. If a fishy odor results, the whiff test is positive and is suggestive of bacterial vaginosis.
While the characteristically fishy odor of Gardnerella vaginalis is annoying and extremely embarrassing, it at least tips you off as a telltale sign of BV.
Women who are seeking out a vaginal odor treatment or a way to get rid of vaginal odor are actually trying to get to the root of the smell. They’re really trying to find a way to get rid of the harmful vaginal bacteria that has taken over and caused BV.
Prescriptions and Antibiotics Aren’t a Great Vaginal Odor Treatment
For many women, they see their OB-GYN when they first experience smelly discharge or vaginal odor. There, medications or antibiotics are prescribed. While medications have been found to treat the symptoms of BV, such as smelly discharge, very well, they don’t prevent BV from coming back again. After some time, the smelly discharge, fishy vaginal odor, itchiness, and redness comes back – although this time, it’s worse. Mind you, the initial doctor visit and treatment weren’t cheap!
In most studies, after their first visit, women came back to their OB-GYN’s 68% of the time to get rid of vaginal odor associated with Bacterial Vaginosis. In those same studies, the BV infection was worse 43% of the time. Even more concerning than the worsening of BV symptoms over time, is that antibiotics should not be our consistent line of defense.
Antibiotics kill all bacteria – the good and the bad. When you kill good bacteria, it can cause nasty side effects like diarrhea and other infections.
We also have to think about bacterial resistance, which comes about when bacteria change so that antibiotics no longer work against them. Over time, this will mean higher and longer doses of antibiotics. Eventually, the medications may not work at all. This has led many women to consider all-natural treatments to get rid of vaginal odor that not only cures the smelly symptoms of BV but prevent it from coming back again and again.
All-Natural (Non-Prescription!) Yeast Infection Treatment
Many studies have found natural remedies to be effective against smelly discharge and vaginal odor associated with BV, including:.
For example, a 2007 study published in J Altern Complement Med found that Lactobacillus acidophilus significantly decreased – or even cured – the patient’s BV.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that extracts from the Reishi mushroom helped with gut inflammation and the buildup of harmful bacteria in the bloodstream. Your gut health is linked to the overall pH balance of your entire body. If your gut is in great shape, you can better prevent and treat smelly discharge associated with BV.
The oil from oregano has antimicrobial properties. While it’s often used to flavor food, one study published in Mol Cell Biochem found that oregano completely inhibits the growth of C. Albicans or Candida Albicans. These antimicrobial properties can treat and prevent bacterial infections like BV.
We recommend considering an all-natural supplement that combines all of these powerhouse probiotics and enzymes. In our opinion, the feminine health supplement that fits the bill is called Balance Complex. Balance Complex contains 4 billion CFU/G of L. Acidophilus, a maximum-strength probiotic which promotes the growth of good bacteria in the vagina. In a 2007 study, L. Acidophilus rebalanced the vaginal pH levels of nearly every woman analyzed. Balance Complex also contains more than 10 naturally occurring ingredients (no chemicals or synthetic ingredients!) that are linked to the vaginal odor treatment and prevention.
Balance Complex is:
- 100% natural – no chemicals or synthetic materials
- Maximum-strength to kick BV to the curb for good
- Made in the USA
- Formulated and produced in an FDA-registered lab and GMP-certified facility
- Backed by AFT – Advanced Formulation Technology
- Over the counter vaginal odor treatment – no prescription required
If you want to halt your reliance on prescription drugs and antibiotics – and stop chronic BV for good – consider trying an all-natural alternative. Balance Complex should be taken daily to keep your pH levels balanced. The supplement not only treats any existing symptoms, but it stops the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the future. That harmful bacteria is what causes the smelly discharge, so keeping it at bay is the key to getting rid of vaginal odor permanently.
Praise for Balance Complex
I will continue with these for sure
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on July 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
Menstrual brought up that BV odor, and I immediately freaked out after suffering from this for over 20 years, I can feel when it’s about to erupt. I took 2 capsules Day 1 and 2 capsules Day 2 and WOW!! Odor GONE!! I even felt balanced. I wasn’t expecting it to work so fast. I will continue with these for sure.*
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there was no longer a smell after intimacy
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on August 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
Almost immediately I noticed the discharge and odor were less offensive. Within a few days, even my husband made a comment about how there was no longer a smell after intimacy.*
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All my symptoms are completely gone
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on November 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have been dealing with BV for 16 years. Foul odor with discharge plus yeast infections. Going to Doctors just to prescribe me antibiotics that led to yeast infections. I took 2 pills daily and on the 5th day… I can feel a Huge difference. There was no foul odor nor discharge. I’m halfway done with the bottle, and all my symptoms are completely gone.*
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Where Does Smelly Discharge Come From?
Bacterial Vaginosis comes about because the mix of good bacteria and harmful bacteria isn’t balanced in your favor. How this is occurring is still up for much debate, but a consensus does exist that healthy lifestyle choices help a great deal. It is essential to know that smelly discharge that occurs from Bacterial Vaginosis isn’t dangerous or potentially life-altering. What most doctors agree upon with BV is that it is a multi-process occurrence between multiple bacteria and a reduction in the number of lactobacilli in your vagina. How this problem actually forms can’t be pinpointed, but some things have a direct connection to this imbalance.
Multiple Sex Partners
Vaginal flora is the good bacteria that your vagina needs for its healthy balance and production. When it is disturbed, the harmful bacteria take over, and this is where smelly discharge begins. So far, sexual activity is one of the few probable causes of Bacterial Vaginosis. This isn’t to tell women how sexually active they should or should not be. This is merely an informational tidbit that gets you to understand why your vaginal odor isn’t going away or why it keeps coming back.
There was a recent study done that sought women with one sexual partner for a long time. Those women only reported Bacterial Vaginosis-like symptoms such as smelly discharge 31% of the time compared to women who had multiple partners each month.
Douching
Douching is a frequently used hygienic tool for the prevention of any vaginal odors or infections. What recent studies have shown is this method actually increases the chances of Bacterial Vaginosis. That’s right – the same tool used to prevent vaginal odors has been shown to cause them! In one study, doctors found that BV occurred in 62% more women who used douching compared to those that didn’t. Douching pushes bacteria up your pelvis and leads to pelvic inflammatory disease. There is a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria that needn’t be disrupted for normal function.
There are ways of being hygiene conscious that don’t involve douching at all. A simple change in body soap, for example, is considered better than anything douching ever offered. The cleanser that helps with your vaginal equilibrium is usually a mild or non-scented soap.
Smoking
As a whole, smoking isn’t suitable for your overall health. How this affects your vaginal health has also recently come to light. There was a study aimed at identifying if there was any connection to BV and smoking. For this study, they found 956 random women, of which 331 had dealt with BV. Of those 331 women in the study, more than 50% were smokers. The reason we can assume smoking affects your vaginal health and makes you more susceptible to smelly discharge and BV is because of how bad cigarettes are for your health. You tend to drink more alcohol, you tend to eat worse foods, and a woman’s bodily functions are slowed by smoking. It’s best to quit smoking to avoid the possibility of triggering vaginal odors and, ultimately, Bacterial Vaginosis.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can be given for any infection, such as the flu, stomach issues, and so on. The recent use of antibiotics can also affect the balance of bacteria in the vagina. Many women don’t even know that taking antibiotics could also be the reason they get a smelly discharge in the first place. Remember that antibiotics wipe out all bacteria – the good and the bad. This leaves your body with a completely blank slate, and it can ultimately lead to the overgrowth of harmful bacteria once again. That harmful bacteria is what leads to vaginal odor and BV.
Other Natural Home Remedies for Vaginal Odor Treatment
While our top recommendation is the Balance Complex feminine supplement, there are other natural home remedies to get rid of vaginal odor. In fact, taking a pH balancing supplement daily and implementing these tips and tricks will put you on the fast track for success!
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an excellent remedy for smelly discharge, and it’s something to use for vaginal health in general because of its antifungal compounds. These compounds go to war with germs and those same harmful bacteria that are at the source of Bacterial Vaginosis and vaginal odor. Using tea tree oil after your BV is gone is also a way of making sure those germs don’t come back again. Think of it the same way as taking more Vitamin C during flu season. It doesn’t hurt to take it, and it will be a safety net from BV forming once it’s gone.
Apple cider vinegar
Although this is something used mostly for foods, the use of apple cider vinegar in a bath can help significantly with getting rid of vaginal odor. The acidity levels in this vinegar help restore your pH levels, which also makes it impossible for those same harmful germs to regenerate. How you use the apple cider vinegar is also essential – don’t put it on a salad and expect the smelly discharge to go away. You’ll be taking a bath with about 2 or 3 cups of it mixed in with the bathwater. There must be nothing else present in the bath water besides the apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is also available in tablet form, which is good to take after the BV and vaginal odor is long gone. It’s best to take a bath once a week to maintain those proper levels of vaginal pH.
Tweak your diet
Many diet changes have claimed to help with vaginal odor treatment. Fried food, as well as refined carbohydrates, are known to cause a pH imbalance in your body. They are highly acidic and cause inflammation. Additionally, if you’re a coffee-lover, it’s quite acidic, so try to cut back. A diet heavy in sugars and yeast are all the things that the harmful germs need to keep maintaining a stronghold of your vagina. Here are several ingredients and foods you can add to your diet to help prevent and cure vaginal odor naturally.
Yogurt and Vaginal Odor Treatment
Yogurt has been a go-to remedy for vaginal odor treatment for many decades now. It is something your grandmothers’ mothers were using for this exact problem. The reason for the popularity in yogurt and curing BV and smelly discharge is the high amounts of good bacteria known as lactobacillus. Besides applying the yogurt topically, it is also a great diet choice to incorporate daily if you already haven’t. The probiotics found in yogurt help not only your vaginal balance but also helps your stomach digestion. There have been studies that found that women who consume yogurt daily are less likely to experience smelly discharge and other BV symptoms. That’s enough for any woman to want yogurt as a part of their daily diet!
A few tips on yogurt for vaginal odor treatment:
- Don’t choose yogurt with added sugars. Check the ingredient label before you buy it.
- Most commercially made yogurt is highly pasteurized and processed, which means the good bacteria are actually gone. Look for yogurt that says on the label “live and active cultures.”
Garlic and Vaginal Odor Treatment
Garlic is an antibacterial ingredient that can kill off harmful bacteria from the start. On its own, garlic can help regulate the good bacteria in your nether regions. Garlic might make your breath smell terrible, but there are helpful recipes that don’t make garlic so pungent. There are also tablet forms of garlic supplements available.
Fenugreek and Vaginal Odor Treatment
Fenugreek is another compound that is extremely good at fighting smelly discharge. Besides helping with Bacterial Vaginosis, fenugreek can boost your immune system along the way. It carries the same good acids for restoring your vaginal pH to normal levels. More so, it will create a positive vaginal equilibrium if you maintain it in your diet daily.
Try Natural, At-Home Vaginal Odor Treatments Today
These are some of the remedies you can try that most doctors won’t tell you about. Why? It’s in their best interest to have you coming back. Without a proper pH balance in your vaginal area, you’ll keep having issues with smelly discharge and vaginal odors, and it’ll come back each time – and worse.
All of the remedies listed here are things you can get on your own that don’t involve any drastic lifestyle changes or expensive pharmacy visits. It sounds tedious, but if you’re looking for at-home remedies for vaginal odor, it’s a huge relief that a doctor isn’t needed for treatment this time. Along those same lines, once you’ve experienced smelly discharge and other BV symptoms, let’s all agree that no one wants to see it come back!
Lifestyle changes always come at a price, but when we’re talking about something that brings a clean bill of health to your vaginal area, it’s worth it. There is a solution for vaginal odor prevention. For many women, it starts with a daily supplement such as Balance Complex, and it continues with adjustments to your lifestyle and diet choices.
If you’re interested in further reading, we have compiled a list of the 3 Easy Steps to Potentially Reduce Bacterial Vaginosis. We have received fantastic feedback from it, and many consider the ultimate reference manual to helping with Bacterial Vaginosis occurrences and prevention.
Also, don’t forget to grab the 30% off Balance Complex coupon. Here’s what one happy customer had to say:
Really works!
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on August 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
“I have battled BV for about a decade now, with some points being more severe than others. After years of prescriptions that led to needing more prescriptions to combat reactions to the initial treatment (BV treatment causing yeast infections), […] I stumbled across these and figured had nothing else to lose. Well, I must say that I will be sticking to these! My excessive discharge is now under control, and I can have sex again! […] Happy customer, highly recommended if you suffer from BV symptoms. Get your sex life back, ladies!”
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We believe that the natural approach should always be attempted first. The healthy way to potentially get rid of vaginal odor is usually the right way.
By Andrea on December 2, 2019
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After the first day of taking the capsules and the suppositories, I swear ya’ll, there was NO ODOR.*
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