5 mistakes that make vaginal odour worse (and how to fix them)
You take care of your hygiene. You wash every day. You use products “for the intimate area”.
And yet, you feel your odour is stronger than before. Or that it has changed. Or that it bothers you.
What if the problem came precisely from what you do to “get it right”?
At Secrets de Geishaa, every week we receive messages from women who, while trying to take care of their intimate area, do exactly the opposite of what they should.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes, and above all, how to fix them.
Mistake no. 1: You wash too much (or too hard)
It’s the most widespread mistake. And the most counter-intuitive.
You think the more you wash, the “cleaner” you’ll be and the less you’ll smell. Makes sense, right?
Actually, no.
Your intimate area isn’t like the rest of your body. The vagina has its own self-cleaning system. It produces secretions that naturally remove dead cells and unwanted bacteria.
When you over-wash, you upset this balance. You remove the good bacteria (lactobacilli) that protect your intimate area. The result: bad bacteria multiply, and the odour gets stronger.
Signs you’re washing too much:
- You wash your intimate area more than twice a day
- You scrub hard
- You use a flannel or sponge
- You feel irritated or dry after washing
The fix:
👉 Washing once a day is enough (twice at most after sport or in hot weather)
👉 Lukewarm water only, on the vulva (the outside)
👉 With clean hands, no flannel
👉 Gentle movements, no scrubbing
👉 Pat dry (don’t rub)
Mistake no. 2: You use the wrong products
Perfumed shower gel. Bar soap. “Fresh” intimate wash. Scented wipes.
These products give you an instant feeling of cleanliness. But in the medium term, they make the problem worse.
Why?
The pH of your intimate area is naturally acidic (between 3.8 and 4.5). It’s this acidity that stops bad bacteria from multiplying.
Most soaps and shower gels have a neutral (7) or alkaline (above 7) pH. When you use them on your vulva, you neutralise that protective acidity.
The result: your flora gets out of balance, infections set in, and the odour gets stronger.
Products to avoid at all costs:
❌ Regular shower gel (even “gentle” ones)
❌ Bar soap such as Marseille soap (pH too alkaline)
❌ Perfumed intimate washes
❌ Daily intimate wipes
❌ Intimate deodorants
❌ Vaginal douches (the worst of all)
The fix:
👉 Lukewarm water alone = the best option
👉 If you really want a product: choose an intimate wash with a physiological pH (4–5), fragrance-free and soap-free
👉 Wipes: only as a back-up (travel, emergencies), never every day
Mistake no. 3: You wear underwear that doesn’t breathe
Synthetic lace thongs. Tight polyester knickers. Leggings worn all day with no underwear.
These clothing choices have a direct impact on your intimate odour.
Why?
Synthetic fabrics don’t breathe. They create a warm, damp environment: paradise for bacteria and fungi.
This trapped moisture encourages the germs responsible for bad odours. It also increases the risk of yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
Common traps:
❌ 100% synthetic underwear (polyester, nylon)
❌ Thongs worn every day (the string rubs and irritates)
❌ Tight clothes worn for long periods (skinny jeans, leggings)
❌ Staying in a wet swimsuit after swimming
❌ Sleeping in tight knickers
The fix:
👉 Choose cotton, at least for the gusset
👉 Avoid tight clothes every day: keep them for special occasions
👉 Change your underwear after sport or if you’ve been sweating
👉 Sleep without knickers (or in very loose cotton ones) to let things breathe
👉 After the pool or the beach: get changed quickly
Mistake no. 4: You ignore what you eat (and drink)
You may not think about it, but your diet directly affects the smell of your body’s secretions, including your intimate odour.
How does it work?
What you eat is metabolised by your body. Some compounds end up in your sweat, your urine and your vaginal secretions. Your intimate odour literally reflects what you consume.
Foods that make the odour stronger:
🧅 Garlic, onion, shallots (sulphur compounds end up in secretions)
🍛 Strong spices (curry, cumin, fenugreek in excess)
🥩 Lots of red meat
☕ Too much coffee
🍬 Refined sugar (encourages yeast infections)
🍺 Alcohol
🚬 Tobacco (yes, it counts)
🥦 Asparagus (it also changes the smell of urine)
Foods that help keep the odour more neutral:
🍍 Pineapple (the best known for “softening” the odour)
🍓 Red berries (strawberries, raspberries)
🥝 Kiwi, citrus fruits
🥒 Cucumber, celery (full of water)
🌿 Fresh herbs (parsley, mint)
🍶 Plain yoghurt (probiotics for your flora)
💧 Water (hydration is key)
The fix:
👉 Drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day: good hydration dilutes secretions
👉 Eat more fresh fruit, especially pineapple
👉 Go easy on “strong” foods if you’re planning an intimate moment
👉 Limit refined sugar: it encourages yeast overgrowth
💡 The Secrets de Geishaa tip: Khamaré herbal infusions help you stay hydrated while caring for your intimate area. This plant has been used for generations by women in West Africa for its purifying properties.
Mistake no. 5: You try to mask it instead of understanding it
Your odour has changed. It’s stronger than usual. Your first reaction: buy a product to cover it up.
Intimate deodorant. Freshness spray. Perfume. Wipe after wipe.
That’s the worst thing you can do.
Masking an abnormal odour is like spraying perfume on a bin. It doesn’t fix the problem, and it can even make it worse.
Why is it risky?
An odour that changes suddenly or becomes very strong is often a sign of imbalance:
- Fishy smell → probably bacterial vaginosis
- Yeasty smell + thick white discharge → probably a yeast infection (thrush)
- Strong smell + coloured discharge → possibly an infection
By masking it, you delay the diagnosis. The infection settles in. And when you finally see someone, it takes longer to treat.
Warning signs:
⚠️ A persistent fishy smell
⚠️ A very strong smell even right after washing
⚠️ Discharge of an unusual colour (yellow, green, grey)
⚠️ Discharge with an unusual texture (frothy, lumpy)
⚠️ Itching, burning, irritation
⚠️ Pain when peeing or during sex
The fix:
👉 Never mask an abnormal odour: try to understand it
👉 See a professional (GP, midwife, gynaecologist) if the odour lasts more than a few days or comes with other symptoms
👉 Most infections are easy to treat once diagnosed: don’t be embarrassed
👉 Scented products (musk, sprays) are for special occasions when everything is fine, not for hiding a problem
Recap: the 5 mistakes and how to fix them
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| 🚿 Washing too much or too hard | Once a day, lukewarm water, clean hands, gentle movements |
| 🧴 Using the wrong products | Water alone, or a fragrance-free pH 4–5 wash |
| 👙 Wearing underwear that doesn’t breathe | Cotton, not too tight, sleep without knickers |
| 🍔 Ignoring your diet | Hydration, fresh fruit, limit sugar and strong foods |
| 🙈 Masking instead of understanding | See a professional if the odour is abnormal, no masking |
And for special occasions?
We’ve just told you not to mask, and that’s true when something is wrong.
But when everything is normal and you simply want to feel fresh and fragrant for an intimate moment? That’s totally fine.
The key: use products suitable for the intimate area, externally only, and occasionally.
Our recommendations:
🌸 Musk Tahara — Our best-seller. A traditional solid perfume that leaves a soft, long-lasting scent. Apply externally on the vulva and in the groin crease. 👉 Discover Musk Tahara
🌿 Khamaré infusions — To care for your intimate area from within. An ancestral wellness ritual of West African women. 👉 Discover Khamaré
FAQ
Is washing with just water really enough?
Yes. The vagina is self-cleaning. The vulva (the outside) only needs lukewarm water to be clean. Products are optional, and often counter-productive.
I’ve always used shower gel on my intimate area. Is that bad?
Don’t panic. Many women make this mistake without serious consequences. But if you have persistent odours, irritation or recurring infections, it may be the cause. Try stopping for a few weeks and see what happens.
How do I know if my odour is “normal”?
A slightly musky, tangy or metallic smell (during your period) is normal. What is NOT normal: a strong fishy smell, an odour that comes through your clothes, or an odour with other symptoms (coloured discharge, itching).
Is cotton really a must?
Not a must, but strongly recommended every day. For a special evening, you can wear your synthetic lace lingerie. But day to day, cotton lets your skin breathe and avoids trapped moisture.
Does pineapple really work?
Many women (and men!) say that fresh fruit, and pineapple in particular, softens the smell and taste of intimate fluids. It’s a popular belief backed by many testimonials, but it won’t work miracles: it complements good hygiene, it isn’t a magic solution.
