When it comes to body confidence and sexual well-being, one of the most stigmatised and misunderstood topics is the natural taste and smell of the vagina. It's time to drop the shame and pick up the facts, because your body is not dirty, wrong, or in need of “fixing.” It’s beautifully complex, and yes, it’s supposed to have a scent and taste of its own.
Let’s talk about it honestly.
First Things First, Vaginas Are Not Supposed to Smell Like Flowers
Despite what advertisements for scented wipes, sprays, and “feminine hygiene” products suggest, the vagina has a natural odour and that’s perfectly normal. In fact, a healthy vagina should have a mild, musky, slightly tangy scent. It can vary depending on factors like:
- Menstrual cycle
- Diet
- Hormones
- Sweat and activity level
- Clothing (breathable fabrics vs. synthetic)
- Hydration
- Sexual activity
Just like every fingerprint is unique, every vagina has its own distinct scent profile.
Most people describe a healthy vaginal scent as musky, mildly tangy, or slightly sweet. During your period, it may smell or taste more metallic due to the presence of iron in blood. After sex, you might notice a different scent from the mixing of bodily fluids, which is also completely normal.
Vaginal taste and smell are closely linked because of how our senses work. The taste can be mildly sour, earthy, or even yoghurt like. That’s because of lactic acid, produced by good bacteria like Lactobacillus, which help maintain your vagina’s natural pH balance. This acidic environment protects you from infections and keeps everything functioning as it should.
Again, this is all normal.
It's worth noting that sudden or strong changes, like a fishy odour, or a very bitter or foul taste can be signs of an infection like bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. In those cases, it's best to consult a healthcare provider. (You can read more about BV & Thrush in our free blog here)
Your vagina and gut share more than you might think. Both are part of your body’s microbiome, and they work best when in balance. If you’re noticing frequent imbalances (like recurring infections, dryness, or discomfort), your body might be asking for a reset. Supporting your vaginal and gut health can look like:
- Taking probiotics
- Staying well hydrated
- Using probiotic suppositories (like our Fem Vaginal Health Probiotics) to restore healthy flora directly
- Considering boric acid suppositories to rebalance pH after infections (consult your health care professional first)
- Yoni Steam Herbs to help maintain a healthy balance of vaginal flora (among other things)
- Supporting your gut health with targeted supplements, like GI Revive and nourishing foods, (Think leafy greens, legumes, bone broth & flaxseeds)
When your gut and vaginal microbiomes are thriving, you’re more likely to feel balanced, confident, and in tune with your body.
During menopause, hormonal changes particularly the decline in estrogen, can affect the vagina’s natural moisture levels, pH balance, and bacterial environment. This may lead to a drier sensation, a more pronounced or different scent, and a slightly altered taste, which some describe as more metallic or less tangy than before. These changes are completely normal and part of your body’s natural transition. If dryness or discomfort is an issue, vaginal moisturisers or estrogen-based treatments (prescribed by a healthcare provider) can help restore balance. Remember, evolving doesn’t mean broken. Your body is adapting, not failing. These shifts are valid, natural, and nothing to be ashamed of.
One of the most harmful myths we’re fed is that we need to smell or taste “better” to be desirable. This has led to a booming industry of unnecessary (and sometimes harmful) products: douches, scented wipes, perfumes, suppositories, and more. Many of these actually disrupt your vagina’s natural pH balance, which can cause the very issues they claim to prevent.
Instead of masking your natural scent and taste, trust your body. The vagina is self-cleaning. You don’t need to do more than wash the vulva (external area) with warm water and, if you choose, a gentle, unscented soap. That’s it.
Let’s be real, much of the shame around vaginal scent and taste is rooted in outdated, sexist, and even colonial ideas of cleanliness and purity. It’s tied to the over-sexualisation of women’s bodies while also holding them to impossible standards of perfection. You deserve better.
Here’s the truth:
- Your natural vaginal smell and taste are nothing to be ashamed of.
- They’re signs of a healthy, functioning body.
- Anyone who makes you feel insecure about that doesn’t deserve intimate access to you.
If you have a partner, open communication about sex and body comfort is key. Curious about your own taste or smell? There’s nothing wrong with exploring that. In fact, it can be an empowering step toward body confidence and sexual autonomy.
Don’t let fear or shame silence your curiosity or stop you from learning about yourself.
Rosie shares about the many sexual blockages we experience and how we can overcome those blocks and feel more embodied, wild and confident in our body and sexuality through her Shame-Free & Aroused Video Tutorial.
Bodies are not supposed to smell like synthetic perfumes or taste like candy. They’re living, breathing, changing organisms and that’s something to be celebrated, not hidden. Vaginas are smart, self-sufficient, and resilient. Trust yours.
You are not “too much” or “not enough.” You are natural. You are whole. You are worthy.
With Love & Acceptance,
Mikay
