Vaginal odour and menopause
Vaginal odour — this is another one of those really common issues during menopause. But it’s also one of the more embarrassing ones, especially because you don’t always know if other people can smell it too. That worry can make it feel even worse.
Let’s break down what’s actually happening.
Friendly Bacteria & Oestrogen
Most of us have heard about friendly bacteria in the digestive tract — but our vagina has its own mix of friendly bacteria too. These helpful microbes do a lot: they keep the bad bacteria in check and help protect against things like thrush and candida.
They also help to keep the mucous membranes of the vagina healthy and resilient. But during menopause, as oestrogen levels drop, the number of friendly bacteria can fall too. That’s when the not-so-friendly bacteria can start to take over. And they’re the ones that often cause unpleasant vaginal odour.
What Can You Do?
This is where vaginal probiotics can be really helpful. If your levels of good bacteria are low, probiotics can help restore the balance. This is especially important if you’ve had bladder infections and taken antibiotics, which can wipe out the friendly bacteria in the vagina as well as in the gut.
A daily vaginal probiotic can make a huge difference.
If you’ve also noticed:
- Unusual or increased discharge
- A strong or unpleasant smell
- A change in colour
These symptoms could indicate thrush or a bacterial infection, both of which are treatable — but it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from your GP.
A Few Extra Tips
There are some simple things you can do to help keep the area healthy:
- Choose natural underwear — breathable fabrics like cotton let the area stay cool and dry.
- Avoid perfumed soaps, shower gels, or products with harsh chemicals. These can throw off the vagina’s natural pH balance.
- Use gentle, natural soaps instead — something like olive oil soap is a lovely option. It’s moisturising and less likely to cause irritation.
Try to keep things as pure and simple as possible.
One Last Thing to Keep in Mind…
Your sense of smell can become more sensitive during menopause too. So, your vaginal odour might not have changed — it could just be that you’re more aware of it than before.
Hope you found this one helpful — and as always, take care and have a lovely week.
This is a throwback extract from a previous video. To watch the full video, visit this blog: 3 embarrassing symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
