Sis, your vagina is supposed to smell like...a vagina. Not flowers. Not summer rain. Not vanilla brown sugar. Get familiar w/your natural aroma. It’s there for a reason. #TheVillageAuntieMovement 
Once you learn how your vagina smells ‘at rest’, you can better understand when something is off. Some scents that signal a problem: fishy, mildew, ammonia, bread-like. Each one signals something different. Sometimes poor hygiene, other times, something more serious.
A ‘fishy’ smell, accompanied by a green/gray/white thin discharge, itching, and burning during urination is usuallly a sign of bacterial vaginosis. Some women can also have BV w/no symptoms. But anytime you smell fish, know that there is a problem afoot.
Fishy smells can also be caused by infrequent changing of feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads. It’s important to swap out regularly to avoid odor and potential for infection. Menstrual blood doesn’t necessarily have a naturally foul smell.
BV is caused by bacterial imbalance. Too much bad bacteria and not enough good. One way you can right this balance is by introducing probiotics into your diet. Probiotics can be found in foods like yogurt or you can find an OTC probiotic that works just as well!
Yeast infections can cause your vaginal discharge to be thick and white w/a bread-like scent. Can also be accompanied by excessive itching, pain/burning during urination and sex, and swelling of the vulva.
Most women will get at least one yeast infection in their lifetime. While seeking medical help is ideal, they can be easy to diagnose on your own if you’ve experienced one before.
There are lots of OTC meds that can cure a yeast infection in as little as 1-2 days. The med creams are uncomfortable but the relief is worth it. Getting your period can also flush the excess yeast and provide a natural cure for an infection.
A mildew or rotten smell can signal a number of issues. One likely culprit could be unintended poor hygiene. Let’s talk about istinja...
Istinja is the removal of waste that emits from the urethra or anus (urine/feces) using water. It is a common hygienic practice amongst Muslims all over the world. The left hand is used during istinja which one reason we don’t eat w/our left!
Many sisters find it challenging to perform istinja when in a country that does not have Islamic modifications in restrooms. Some sisters carry a portable bottle like this one in their purses to use on the go.
Others may choose to use a wad of toilet paper, wet it, and squeeze out the contents onto the vulva/anus after relieving themselves. This is not ideal but works in a pinch. A steady flow of water is best bc it works better at ensuring all matter has been washed away.
A lot of us Muslims now have bidets and hoses installed in their homes which takes the guesswork out of istinja. Some of us also still go old school and use a watering can. Both options work!
The issue isn’t the istinja but what happens AFTER that can cause a foul odor. Once the water is poured/squeezed, it is important to dry the area completely. If you make istinja and pull your undies up, they will become wet and wetness is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Drying the vulva and anus (pat dry front to back, never back to front!) can lessen the opportunity for your undies to become a playground for infection-causing bacteria.
You know how if you leave wet clothes in the washer too long, they can start to smell like mildew? Same thing can happen in your panties. No one wants to smell like Suzy Rottencrotch. Dry the area after istinja to stay healthy and fresh down under.
If you smell ammonia down below, it can mean you are dehydrated. Urine which is highly concentrated is a deep yellow color w/strong odor. Try increasing daily water intake. Urine with lots of water and little waste products doesn’t have a strong smell. More waste, more smell.
Feel free to move beyond the recommended eight 8 oz glasses per day. Depending on your diet, weight, local environment. and activity level, you may need more water. I live in the desert. My baseline is 3 liters per day. Any less and I become dehydrated quickly.
Also, understand that the foods you eat can alter the scent of your vagina. Incorporate more green leafy vegetables as chlorophyll is a natural internal deodorizer. Eat them in salads or do like I do and have a green smoothie every morning. Great for overall health too!
I’ve prepared a simple cheat sheet on vaginal hygiene that also includes tips for how to care for your lady bits pre and post-coitus (e.g. make sure you pee after sex). I’ll be releasing it soon insha Allah. Stay tuned. Send questions to my DMs. Sisters only. Brothers stay AWAY.
