Can Probiotics Make Your VAG Smell Better?
When it comes to vaginal health it is usually something that isn’t usually discussed freely but is highly important. This is a topic that many of us will find embarrassing and feel self-conscious about. Many find that the idea of their vagina having a subtle fragrance is not ideal and feel as though there should be no scent to it at all. This is untrue, as a healthy vagina has a slight scent to it, once you find the odour changes and becomes a little stronger and unpleasant, then this is a typical sign of infection or imbalance.
It’s with this in mind we investigate whether probiotic can help with the keeping the vagina healthy and smelling fresh, so without further a due, let’s find out more. If you are wondering what exactly probiotics are and how the perform, check out our dedicated blog post over on the Health Insiders blog.
Do probiotics get rid of smell?
Yes, they do, you’ll find that probiotics are used in a variety of different products throughout almost all industries. This is because the way probiotics work at combating odour is to not mask the smell, but instead rid the source of the smell completely. This is a result of probiotics being full of healthy bacteria that can work throughout the body, including the intimate area, and restore balance to the pH levels. Once these are imbalanced, you’ll find there is an increase of bad bacteria, leading to a higher chance of suffering from unpleasant odour and infections. With a daily dose of good bacteria thanks to probiotics, you’ll find your gut health and vaginal health will become significantly improved.
Before we move on, I wanted to quickly discuss the different vaginal odours you can experience as this will help you gain a better understanding of how to keep the vagina healthy and happy.
- Fishy Vaginal Odour
This is often a sign you are suffering from the common infection known as bacterial vaginosis, also known as BV. With the odour some often find they suffer with other side effects such as itching, burning, and general discomfort. Here are some examples of what you can do to help.
- Seek the help from a doctor who will be able to prescribe you with a prescription of antibiotics to rid you of the infection.
- Avoid using perfumed and scented products, such as shower gels and washes. As tempting as it may be to try and mask the smell, you will only make things worse. Instead opt for gentle washes that are designed for intimate health.
- Limit the number of sexual partners, having BV is not the same as having an STI, but having multiple sexual partners in a sort of space of time can cause imbalance in the vagina which can prolong you suffering from BV.
- The final step once you have finished your course of antibiotics, is to start taking probiotics daily to help support the pH levels and reduce the risk of suffering with bacterial vaginosis again.
- Sweet or Beer-Like Vaginal Odour
Whilst this smell is not considered as unpleasant as the other, I have mentioned, it is still a sign of overgrown yeast in the vagina. You’ll often find the scent is like bread, flour, or even beer and has a sweet and sourness to it. This is accompanied by itching, burning, dryness as well as discharge that resembles cottage cheese. With this infection, you can follow the steps I have already mentioned in the previous section, as well as the following.
- Keep the vaginal area as dry as possible, yeast and other bacterial infections thrive in moist areas so always ensure you are drying your vagina gently and throughout after bathing.
There you have an example of the most common odours you can experience in the vaginal area. Remember not to hesitate from seeking the help from a doctor if you find yourself suffering with anything I have mentioned. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away, but instead prolong it.
Do probiotics make you smell bad?
Not at all, if anything, they make everything smell better. By this I mean probiotics deliver such a high number of good bacteria into the body that they can balance the pH levels of the vaginal area and keep the gut healthy too.
The trouble we all experience is the fact that our gut health effects the rest of our health and wellbeing. The gut has constant exposure to imbalance and bad bacteria, this can come from daily stress or junk food. Thanks to probiotics providing balance, you’ll find it has a knock-on effect for everything, from vaginal odour to even improving the smell of flatulence.
How long does it take probiotics to work for BV?
It is difficult to determine how long it will take for probiotics to work on BV as everyone is different. Speaking on a general basis, you will find that taking probiotics orally, every day for up to 2 months will clear BV and any other signs of infection. Many however suggest they saw improvements before and after this time. My word of advice would be to stick at it for up to 3 months and if you find that after this time there is still no improvement, seek the advice of a medical professional. It may simply be the case of switching to another type of probiotics as all brands and blends contain different levels of good bacteria.
What probiotics is good for BV?
There are several scientific studies demonstrating that the following probiotics deliver the best results for women and targeting vaginal conditions, such as BV.
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Intravaginal L. Acidophilus
- Rhamnosus GR-1
- Fermentum RC-14
These are the most effective strains of probiotics to use for combating BV. You’ll find that various blends of probiotics contain high percentages of these strains if the product is designed with female intimate health in mind. This is why it is important to do your own investigation and find the best type for you and your needs.
What to expect when you start taking probiotics?
When you first introduce probiotics into your daily routine, there are some common side effects that many of us will experience such as, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, all of which are very common. Suffering from these changes is very normal and simply show how the gut’s microbiome is changing and beginning to become more balanced thanks to the influx of good bacteria helping to support the gut’s flora. These symptoms don’t usually last long and will subside in a day or two.
What vitamins are good for your vag?
By now you should understand how much your vaginal health will benefit from the introduction of probiotics into your routine. Another popular vitamin to have been cranberry for reducing the risk of UTIs, also known as urinary tract infections. Many enjoy drinking cranberry juice, but there has recently been an increase of capsules and tablets storming the health market. Many find the capsules an easier way of reaping the rewards of cranberry. Packed with antioxidants and acidic compounds, cranberry capsules are an effective and powerful weapon against infections whilst boosting the vitamin intake for the intimate area and keeping it in its healthiest state.
There you have a little more about how probiotics can make your vagina smell better, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram as we have a selection of exciting products coming your way soon!