The female body often signals when something is wrong, and an unpleasant smell in the intimate area can be one such sign. While many women feel embarrassed to discuss this, understanding the causes is key to preventing health problems and maintaining well-being.
Bad odor isn’t always serious, but it should not be ignored. Common causes include vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis, which produces a fishy smell, or candidiasis, which creates whitish discharge with a sour odor.
Poor hygiene or excessive cleaning can also disrupt the vaginal microbiome, while sexually transmitted infections may trigger strong odors with abnormal discharge. Hormonal shifts, sweat, and tight clothing may worsen the issue. Prevention involves proper hygiene, breathable underwear, safe sexual practices, and healthy lifestyle habits.