I've been using the whole Vagisil kit (soap + spray) for 2 years to have a good smell during sex, and when I don't use it, it stinks. What can I do?

Question

I have osteoarthritis, my bones hurt and I am not in good shape.

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello ma'am, First of all, it is normal for the vulva to give off a slight odor as the day progresses, especially on hot/humid days or when performing more physical activities. Here are some tips and tricks to maximize your feminine hygiene: Don't wear clothes (including underwear) that are too tight --> wear loose-fitting clothes and change them daily or more frequently if you're exercising, for example; For your laundry, use a fragrance-free detergent (ex: hypoallergenic ones) and avoid using fabric softeners , since they often contain fragrance; Use a gentle, fragrance-free intimate cleanser on a daily basis (e.g. Dove fragrance-free, Cetaphil fragrance-free) --> there is no point in washing the intimate area too frequently, it only aggravates the irritation! As you can see, the above stuff has the common characteristic of using scent-free products . Unfortunately, the Vagisil brand products (wipes, intimate cleansers, sprays) contain it, and are therefore only irritating and without benefit (even the Vagisil "pH balance" intimate cleanser contains fragrance, imagine that!). So I would strongly advise you to stop using the Vagisil spray and cleanser and switch more to a gentle, fragrance-free body wash, like the examples above. If, despite taking the above steps, you find that your vulva still has a strong, foul-smelling odor , it may be caused by a bacterial vaginal infection. The unpleasant fishy odor may be the only symptom of this kind of infection, but sometimes it is also accompanied by a heavy white/gray vaginal discharge. If you have these kinds of symptoms, you should see your family doctor, as he or she will question you and assess your symptoms (and treat your infection with antibiotics, if that's the diagnosis they make). If you don't have a family doctor, this website still allows you to find an appointment with a doctor: https://www.rvsq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/accueil. I sincerely hope I have helped you with these tips and tricks. Please feel free to contact us again with any other questions! 😊 Marc-Antoine Dufresne, pharmacy intern (Pharm.D), supervised by Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist.