How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor: 12 Science Backed Remedies!

Powerful Vaginal Odor Remedies & Treatments Actually Work!

This is the exciting part you’ve been scrolling down to read right?

I know, but please scroll back up and read the rest of this article so you’ve not missed out any of the important must-dos and don’ts of treating vaginal odor.

NO 1: Garlic for Vaginal odor.

Eat it and/ or insert it into your vagina overnight for 3-5 days in a row or once or twice a week until you can see improvement.

Why it works: Garlic helps get rid of vaginal odor because it has Allicin, which is loaded with antimicrobial properties to fight bad bacteria [10]. 

Garlic’s antibacterial properties will help fight the growth of bad bacteria and yeast in your vagina and help restore its normal PH.

Garlic is an excellent home remedy to treat yeast infection also, which is one of the main causes of fishy vaginal odor.

How to get rid of vaginal odor using Garlic:

This garlic treatment for vaginal odor is best done at night before you go to sleep.

• Take a nice warm shower or wash your vaginal area with warm water and pat dry it with tissue or a clean towel you have for that purpose only.
• Take a clove of garlic and cut it halfway through and keep it aside for a second.
• Lie down (lock the door before) and gently insert the garlic clove into your vagina. Make sure it’s fully inside.
• Go to sleep.

The garlic will come out when you go to the washroom in the morning. Repeat this for 3-5 days in a row until you’re healed.

When to do it again: When you feel the need to, but after you’re healed, you can get into the habit of doing it one night per month or once every 2 months.

Is the garlic going to get lost in your vajayjay?

No, it won’t.

It will slide out when you get up to pee in the morning or you just have to relax and squat down for it to fall out.

But it will never get lost anywhere because your cervical wall is there to prevent that from happening.

So if it doesn’t come out right away in the morning, just relax. It will.

Is it going to burn?

If you experience any burning sensations when you insert the garlic in your vagina, that’s a sign you probably have a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

In which case, start off with a garlic clove that doesn’t have a cut and then use a cut one on the next day.

The burning sensation will slow down as the garlic heals your infection and your skin will eventually repair itself back to normal.

WARNING: Do not do this if you’re bleeding or have any serious wounds down there.

NO 2: How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor Using Apple Cider Vinegar.

Why it works: Apple Cider Vinegar has antibacterial and odor absorbing properties.

HuffPost says Apple Cider Vinegar baths can help get rid of stinky feet odor and bad breath, and in this case, your fishy smelling vagina too.

It makes sense right? 

When you sit in a bathtub filled with ACV and water, the antibacterial properties of the Apple Cider Vinegar will fight with any bad bacterias that may be lingering around in your vagina and helps restore the natural PH of your vagina.

The fishy odor is often the result of PH imbalance down there and ACV can help restore that, thus help get rid of the vaginal odor.  

How to do it:

You must use Organic Apple Cider Vinegar like this one.

• Pour 2 cups of organic ACV into your bathtub filled with lukewarm water.
• Read a book, listen to music or sleep for 20 minutes and just let your body soak in the wonderful healing properties of Apple Cider Vinegar.
• You can also drink a tablespoon of raw organic ACV in a cup of warm water every morning or night to make use of its overall health benefits.

NO 3: Acidophilus Capsules for Vaginal Odor.

Remember the good and bad bacteria we’ve been discussing throughout this entire post?

The good guys are called Lactobacillus and you can take them orally in the form of these Acidophilus capsules from Amazon.

Why it works: As stated above, the Acidophilus capsules contain the right amount of the good bacterias (Lactobacillus) your body needs for it to get rid of the bad ones down there and help restore the PH level of your vagina.

When the PH is restored, the vaginal smell will also begin to vanish.

Warning: It is considered safe for both adults, children and pregnant women, but if you are pregnant or nursing, please consult with your doctor before taking it.

Also, don’t take these capsules if you’re lactose intolerant.

How to take it:

One capsule a day until your symptoms are gone. After that, you can take it a couple times every week. According to customers who’ve tried it, they say it works like a charm for treating yeast infections too.
Acidophilus capsules can also promote your gut health and keep your inner systems running smoothly.

NO 4: Neem Bark extracts Oil for Vaginal Odor.

I remember the time I caught severe chicken pox when I was 19.

My mom laid me on a bunch of neem leaves from head to toe until I was completely healed.

It felt like magic at that time because it really did help soothe my scars and itchiness all over.

Why it works: Neem bark is a great essential oil to get rid of vaginal odor because it has been proven to be loaded with antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

The healing properties of this organic Neem oil will fight the bad bacteria that may be causing your fishy vaginal smell and help restore its PH.

It will also help heal any signs of yeast infections you may have.

How to use it:

You can get the best out of Neem in 2 forms:

1. You can boil its leaves and wash your vagina with Neem water after it has cooled down.
2. Or you can do it the easy way and rub a few drops of this cold pressed Neem oil around your vagina after a shower. Make sure to pat dry your vagina before applying the neem oil.

NO 5: Plain organic Yogurt, the natural probiotic for fishy vaginal odor.

Why it works: Other than the Acidophilus capsules, another super effective way to get lactobacillus (good bacteria) is by eating plain organic yogurt every day.

Now, those good bacterias, also known as Lactobacilli [3] [4] can be increased with the help of probiotics.

Plain organic yogurt is hands down one of the best forms of Probiotics.

So eating a tablespoon or 2 of yogurt every day can promote the growth and well-being of the good bacteria down there and decrease the growth of the bad ones. 

This will ensure your vaginal ecosystem maintains its normally acidic PH level and help fight bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast infection.

A well balanced vaginal PH and no infections, will as a result help get rid of that fishy smell from your down part.

Here's how to get rid of vaginal odor using Yogurt- 2 methods:

The Second one is a must, but both combined will work faster.

First: Eat 1-2 tablespoons of plain organic yogurt every day.

Second: After washing and pat drying your vagina, lie down and apply a pea size amount of plain raw organic yogurt into your vagina and on the outside.

You can leave it for a couple hours and wash it off or do it at night before going to sleep. Put an old piece of cloth or fabric on the bottom half of your bed where you’ll be lying down. 

Repeat 3-5 days in a row. This direct application of yogurt into the vagina is not only of the most effective natural remedies for vaginal odor but also a great treatment to ease the symptoms of yeast infection.

Once the smell of your vagina has improved, you can repeat this treatment once every couple of months or whenever you feel the need to.

NO 6: Activated charcoal can also come for your fishy odor rescue.

Have you noticed the growing popularity of activated charcoal for beauty purposes these days?

Activated charcoal face masks, teeth whitenings and so on. 

Did you know activated charcoal can help keep your vaginal odor at bay too?

Why it works: Activated charcoal has many benefits for the skin and body.

One of those benefits is that activated charcoal has been proven to have odor absorbing properties. [10]

Have you ever experienced the pain of trying to hold in a fart on an airplane?

You don’t have to anymore, and you can “let it go” without worrying about the smell offending others around you because scientists have suggested embedding activated charcoal in the seat cushions. [11] [12]

How to use it:

• Activated charcoal body cleanse: Take 1 of this activated charcoal capsule every day for about a week. Do it once a month and whenever you feel bloated or gassy. This will cure all your digestive problems and absorb the toxins in your body, including your vagina. As a result, your vaginal smell will also begin to improve.
• You can also embed one or 2 in your trouser or skirt pocket to absorb any outside odors.

NO 7: Here’s How to Get rid of Vaginal Odor Using Tea Tree Essential Oil.

Why it works: Tea Tree oil is packed with antibacterial and antifungal properties and has been proven to treat infections and wounds.[13] [14]

When applied to the external parts of your vagina, Tea Tree oil can get rid of any infection and/or odor-causing bacteria and soothe any irritations you might have down there.

How to do it:

• Wash the outer part of your vagina with warm water and pat dry it.
• Dilute 3-4 drops of organic Tea Tree oil with a few drops of water and use a cotton pad to gently apply it on the outside parts of your vaginal area.
• Do it for a couple of days in a row and then whenever necessary.

NO 8: Indian gooseberry can help treat vaginal odor.

Why it works: Indian gooseberry, also known as Amla, is not only proven to have anti-aging properties, but it’s also packed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties [23] [24], which makes it another one of the best vaginal odor remedies worth trying.

How to use it:

It’s a fruit with a hint of bitter sour taste to it. Just eat 3-4 Indian Gooseberries every day or a few times a week. You can also boil it in water and drink its juice.

NO 9: Drink Cranberry juice for your overall vaginal health and odor.

Don’t you just love that sweet, sour and tarty taste of organic cranberry juice?

I swear it has an addictive taste.

But even if you’re not a fan of its taste, you might want to consider including cranberry juice in your diet every week for the sake of your vaginal health.

It will also help reduce the symptoms of vaginal odor.

Why it works: Cranberry juice has been proven to work like a natural antibiotic and helps treat UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) in women. [25]

Cranberry also contains a compound called quercetin which is packed with anti-inflammatory properties.[26]

How to take it:

Just drink a glass of its awesomeness every day for a week and then a couple of times a week. You will fall in love with its taste, eventually.

NO 10: Water: your vagina needs plenty of water.

This should have been number 1 on this list of vaginal odor remedies, but I know you all would skip it in a blinking second so I squeezed it on here.

Your vagina needs water ladies.

Why it works: It keeps your body hydrated and that includes your vagina too.

Water does A-Z of everything from giving you a clear skin to preventing constipation and kidney infections. [27, 28]

Water will flush out toxins from your body and help keep things clean down there.

What to do: Drink at least 8-9 glasses of plain water every single day to keep your body, including your down below hydrated and free from dryness.

NO 11: Wave goodbye to Thongs and other tight underwear.

Did you know thongs can increase your risk of developing irritations and infections?

Thongs and all your other sexy tight underwears simply do not allow your vagina to breathe.

Yes, your vagina needs to breathe.

Wearing tight underwear is like keeping socks on your feet. Imagine taking them off after a heavy sweaty workout?

What to do:

If you’re suffering from fishy vaginal odor, it is seriously time to start embracing 100% cotton granny panties. Some of them come in decent designs, but I highly doubt you’d want to care about the designs at this point? Exactly.

Pure cotton underwear will be gentle on your vaginal area and allow it to breathe and also prevent it from irritations. [25] [26]

BONUS TIP: Go commando mode to sleep.

Yes, sleeping without your underwear is one of the best overall natural treatment you can give for your vagina.

Yeast and bacteria love dark and moist places, so when you sleep without underwear, it allows your vaginal area to breathe and reduces the risk of providing the perfect environment for those bad guys.

NO 12: Keep your pubic hair short and clean.

Why it works: Too much pubic hair can hold on to sweat and moist down there and provide the perfect environment for bad bacteria to invade.

And give space for pubic lice, ever heard of it? [29]

Note how I never said anything about shaving, yup, because pubic hair is there for a reason.

It’s not completely bad and can actually protect you from infections if kept clean and dry. [30]

What to do: Trim it and keep it short so it still gives you protection from harmful bacterias entering inside your vagina.

Wash your vulva with warm water and the outside of your vaginal area dry to prevent any unpleasant vaginal odor.

How to Get Rid of  Vaginal Odor FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions)

1 . Why does my vagina itch and burn?

If you’re experiencing continuous vaginal itching and burning, it could be because of Bacterial Vaginosis.

BV is also one of the main causes of fishy vaginal odor.

The yogurt and garlic remedies mentioned in this post are excellent for treating Bacterial Vaginosis symptoms.

If you don’t see any improvements within 4-5 days, visit your GP without further delay.

2 . Why does my vagina always smell bad after sexual intercourse?

If your private part only smells after having intercourse with your partner then it’s likely to be his fluid that’s causing the bad odor.

Encourage your partner to eat more greens and to drink lots of water every day.

Pineapple also helps apparently.

This is why you must always urinate right after having your moment and wash the outside of your vagina with lukewarm water.

Washing your private part right after your intimate moment will also reduce the chances of catching a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).

3 . Why does my vagina smell bad when I’m on period and after?

When your period blood mixes with other bodily fluids and air, bacteria forms on it and causes that bad odor.

This is why it’s important to change your pads/tampons regularly and also wash the outside of your vaginal area at least 2 times a day.

If you have a smell for one or 2 days after your period, that could be because of any old blood that hasn’t completely drained out yet.

4 . None of these how to get rid of vaginal odor remedies are working for me. What do I do now?

If you’ve tried all the remedies and tips listed in this post and none of them seem to be working, it’s time for you to make an appointment with your doctor.

You could have an infection of some sort that needs professional medical treatments so please visit your doctor as soon as possible.

5 . I have been smelling like a fish since childhood. Even if I shower 10 times a day, the fishy smell never leaves me. Why is that?

If you’ve been having a fishy odor your entire life, even in your sweat and breath, you could have what’s known as Trimethylaminuria (TMI).

You need to explain your symptoms to your doctor and request to be tested for TMI.

It’s a genetically inherited condition and there is no permanent cure for it, yet, however, there are plenty of treatments available to keep it under control.

6 . Why do I have white thick discharge that smells so bad?

If you have thick and clumpy white vaginal discharge combined with itching, you could have a yeast infection.

Try the vaginal odor remedies listed on this page and see your doctor if you don’t see any improvements at all within 3-5 days.

Did you find any of these how to get rid of vaginal odor remedies helpful?

Please feel free to share your experience below so others can also benefit from it.