Many TikTok and Instagram videos encourage young women to change their diets or routines to transform the smell of their private parts. It might seem harmless to knowledgeable adults, yet teenage girls and young women may lack the experience to recognize scams or unrealistic promises. It’s the responsibility of mothers and other women to educate girls about their vaginas.
The first and most important rule to share with them is that it is never supposed to smell like a peach or a flower. Let’s forget about TikTok videos once and for all. The vagina has a complex health system that is linked to odors. In other words, young girls must learn from an early age that products designed to mask their natural smell can, in fact, cause severe damage to the vaginal flora. More importantly, smells are not necessarily a cause for concern. On the contrary, they are often natural and linked to perfectly healthy causes. Yet, if there are no underlying health issues, these could be some of the most common reasons for unpleasant smells — and how to prevent them.
Your underwear choices cause sweating
The groin area hides sweat glands that react to temperature increases in the same way your armpits do. They cause perspiration. Due to its position, the groin is more sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Therefore, it is a good idea to opt for breathable fabric, such as cotton thongs, that will not trap the heat in the same space. Synthetic underwear, on the other hand, could increase perspiration.
Always shower after exercising
We get it. A healthy lifestyle includes physical activities. Yet, it’s important to wash the sweat away after training. You may think you can get away with a change of clothes and spraying some deodorant, but leaving sweat trapped around the groin area can lead to unpleasant odors. Additionally, in the long term, it can also affect the pH balance of the vagina. So, it’s best to shorten your time at the gym and make sure to have a shower than to skip your post-training wash!
Try to relax
It is no novelty: Stress can increase transpiration. Emotional stress, especially, is linked to the apocrine glands, which are the sweat glands present in your armpit and your groin area. So, if you are going through a lot of stress, you might find yourself developing an unpleasant, pungent scent. Your sweat glands combined with the bacteria naturally present in the vagina are responsible for this phenomenon. You can, however, reduce the risk of emotional stress smells by introducing healthy and effective coping mechanisms, such as practicing mindfulness and meditation.
Pre or post-period smells
The strong coppery-like smell you may notice on certain days of the month is linked to the presence of blood. Blood contains iron, which is where the metallic odor comes from. Typically, blood linked to menstruation will emit an odor shortly before, during, or just at the end of your period. It is a natural phenomenon that goes away on its own accord after the period is over.
In conclusion, the media often promotes an unrealistic and potentially dangerous for young women. Helping them understand the natural smell of the vagina can avoid many issues in the long term. Women’s health should never be a source of shame for young girls!
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