I’ve never thought my vagina should smell like anything other than, well, a vagina. Never was I one of those girls who thought my Queen V should smell like a batch of cookies, fresh florals, or a luscious garden. (No shade if that was you.) Innately I knew if God wanted my vagina to smell like one of those things, He would have designed it that way. (But seriously, if that brings all the boys to the yard I will take it.)

The vagina is super talented. Besides everything it can do in the bedroom (oh hey, orgasmic glow), it’s basically its own ecosystem that is self-cleaning with its own delicate level of pH balance and its very own vaginal microbiome. Is there anything the vagina can’t do? It is like the Beyonce of body parts.

If the vagina has all of those things going for it, wouldn’t you think it would also come with its very own smell? Well, it does. A smell from your vagina can say a lot, so if you’re wondering whether or not it’s normal for your vagina to smell like XYZ…we’ve got you covered.

Vaginal smell: good

According to the Cleveland Clinic, all vaginas naturally produce a vaginal smell, which communicates information about your activities, lifestyle, and overall health. A vaginal smell can change in response to everyday, normal experiences like menstruation, pregnancy, sex, or workouts. Everyone’s vagina has a unique vaginal smell and that’s completely normal. Here are a few examples of a vaginal smell that are good.

Ammonia. A vaginal smell that smells like ammonia may indicate there’s urine residue on your vulva or you are dehydrated. (Drink more water, people.) Bottoms up, buttercup!

Copper or metallic-smelling. If your vaginal smell resembles something coppery like a penny or something metallic, then you’re probably on your period. Blood, including period blood, contains iron, hence the vaginal smell resembling that of your change jar at home.

Fermented, sour, or tangy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a vaginal odor that smells slightly sour or tangy may be a sign that the pH level in your vaginal flora is slightly more acidic than is typical. 

This smell is often associated with the good bacteria naturally found in your vagina, lactobacilli, which is also found in fermented foods or yeasty foods like sourdough bread or yogurt. If your vag smells like the IPA you were sipping this past weekend, it’s a normal vaginal smell.

Skunky. Does your Queen V smell like Pepé Le Pew? A BO skunk scent that may smell extra earthy or herbal (like cannabis) may be a vaginal smell that tells you you’re feeling stressed. 

There are different types of sweat — and the apocrine glands, which are found in the armpits and groin area, are the culprits for extra smelly stress-induced sweat. So if your vag smells like a skunk, you may need a vacation. (But seriously. Book that wellness retreat). 

Sweet. Another vaginal smell that’s completely normal is sweet. A bittersweet smell or slightly sweet smell, like gingerbread or molasses, may also be a sign that your pH levels may have changed. This is probably one of the only times it’s okay for your vagina to smell like a cookie.

Oh, and if your vagina doesn’t smell like anything, that’s A-Okay too. “It can smell like nothing, like sweat, like sex,” remarks Wendie Trubow, MD, ob-gyn.

As noted by the Cleveland Clinic, different vaginal smells usually resolve on their own and are often due to common changes like diet or hormones, but if you experience an unpleasant vaginal odor, that may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Vaginal odor: Bad

Fishy. If you’re experiencing a smell from your vagina that’s fishy, you may have vaginitis, an imbalance in your vaginal bacterial levels that can lead to infection and inflammation. The most common conditions that cause vaginal odor are bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis.

BV is an infection that’s caused by an imbalance in your vagina’s flora and is often accompanied by a fishy smell and gray or grayish-white discharge. On the other hand, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite that doesn’t always cause symptoms. When it does, it can cause a fishy odor, similar to BV, or a musty smell that’s sometimes accompanied by a greenish-yellow discharge.

Rotting meat. Apologies to all of you vegans out there, but if your vag smells like rotten meat, you may have mistakenly forgotten to remove your tampon. Hey, sh*t happens. You can totally take it out on your own or you can have the doctor do it as well. Dealer’s choice!

Basically, if your Queen V smells like something crawled up there and died, schedule an appointment with your gyno, stat. Trubow says if you’re also experiencing any itching, pain, green or yellow discharge, or a white curd-like discharge, connect with your doc.

Vaginal smells vs. vaginal odors

If you want to keep the vaginal smells good and avoid the bad vaginal odors, opt for some basic healthy habits to keep your vulva clean and protect your vagina from infection. 

That includes things like avoiding douching (it disrupts the vagina’s natural pH), drinking plenty of water so you can stay properly hydrated, practicing good hygiene, protecting your vagina during sex (*cough — condoms — cough*), and wearing breathable, light clothing like cotton panties.

“The vagina is a very self-sufficient ecosystem and relies heavily on gut balance/health for vaginal health,” notes Trubow. “The best way to keep the vagina healthy is to ensure the gut is functioning properly and gets the nutrients it needs to do its job.”

If you’re really concerned about keeping your vagina so fresh and so clean, clean, opt for brands that keep vaginas in mind. One of my favorites is The Honey Pot Co. and their line of foaming washes. Keep that Queen V happy folks, she does so much for you!