Home Remedies for Vaginal Odor

There are various home remedies for vaginal odor. However, in order to treat vaginal odor effectively, one needs to get to the root of the said condition.

Vaginal odor Causes: Vaginal odor is something that is not a normal condition. This is usually because of a minor change in the constitution of the bacterial flora of the vagina and not a full-blown infection. Vaginal odor can however be caused by some bacterial infections like gonorrhea and Chlamydia but these are also accompanied by a purulent discharge. In a normal setting, vaginal odor is simply the result of the regular bacterial content of the vagina being dislodged. This can happen, surprisingly enough, because of an abundance of cleansing agents such as antibacterial soaps and douches. Most people use douches because they believe that it is more hygienic but this actually makes the situation a lot worse.

There are many organs of our bodies that rely on a symbiotic relationship between us and bacteria. This is especially so in the mouth, intestines, and the vagina. In the mouth, it is the presence of bacteria called lactobacillus that prevents more virulent strains of bacteria and fungi from proliferating. In return, the bacteria get whatever scraps are left behind from our meals. In the intestines, the relationship is more complex. In the intestines, bacteria exist in the colon and are responsible for breaking down polysaccharides like cellulose that human enzymes cannot breakdown. The bacteria convert these into mono-saccharides that we can digest and this is reabsorbed into the blood. Apart from this, some strains of bacteria will actually manufacture vitamin K for us. In the vagina, the relationship is much simpler. The predominant bacteria are lactobacillus in the vagina and it prevents the growth of fungi like candida and bacteria like streptococcus and staphylococcus. It does this by monopolizing resources and reproducing very fast. In the process of their feeding activity, they create peroxide, which is further cytotoxic to other bacteria and fungi. When these bacteria are dislodged by the use of antibiotics, fecal debris coming into contact with the vagina, and excessive sexual activity, the floral balance is disturbed.

Get Rid of Vaginal Odor

To get rid of vaginal odor, one needs to reintroduce lactobacillus in high quantities back to the vagina. For this, soak a tampon in some milk and insert in every day for the next week. This should ideally be done after a menstrual period to allow some time for the population of lactobacillus to increase to an adequate level. In addition to this, ensure that when cleaning you do not use antiseptic soaps everyday and to instead use warm water to ensure that the area is cleaned. Also wipe the genital area from front to back after defecation.